Project Director / Financial Lead

Job Description

Why join us?

It’s an exciting time at AtkinsRéalis! We are rapidly growing in the US. Our company's purpose is to build a better world for our planet and its people. We recognize the importance of making sure that our clients and employees feel this purpose every day. AtkinsRéalis is proud of our company culture that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our company ethos includes collaboration through the connection of people, data, and technology. We are a global firm, who leverages having employees located throughout the world, creating valuable partnerships and doing our part to make this planet and its people thrive.  We need energetic, passionate and eager professionals like you to join our team. There has never been a better time to be a part of AtkinsRéalis!

We are seeking a Project Director / Financial Lead, which is a pivotal leadership role focusing on our program management contracts with national leading utilities and municipal clients. This position is based out of Alexandria VA, with projects and prospects in the greater District of Columbia area. Initially focused on municipal water and energy projects, this role offers significant opportunities to expand leadership to sustainability and public-private partnership initiatives.

About Us

AtkinsRéalis is one of the world’s most respected design, engineering and project management consultancies. AtkinsRéalis has been providing infrastructure planning, engineering, construction, environmental consulting, urban planning, architecture, and program management services to public and private clients across the United States for more than 50 years. AtkinsRéalis has the depth and breadth of expertise to respond to the most technically challenging and time-critical infrastructure projects and the urgent transition to a low-carbon economy.

How will you contribute to the team?

The Project Director will primarily lead or support complex projects and programs across target municipal programs within AtkinsRéalis’ US markets, specifically emphasizing sustainable infrastructure and public-private partnerships. This role requires the ability to drive teams effectively for deliverables for senior executives with our program management clients. Future opportunities may include international work and travel.

A secondary responsibility would support PPP opportunities in AtkinsRéalis’ Energy, Transportation, and Buildings & Places markets.

 Key responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Supporting program management best practices or centers of excellence within an engineering organization, with a strong focus on sustainable solutions and project delivery.
• Developing best practice reporting and monitoring capabilities through standardized reports and dashboards focused on project delivery and program management, especially for sustainability metrics and PPP performance.
• Experience in capital infrastructure planning and programming including development of annual budgets, 10-20-year capital improvement programs, funding requests, and other financial activities.
• Managing lifecycle of large, complex projects and programs for significant municipal water and energy clients, involving owner’s representative or program management engagements, major construction management, alternative delivery project oversight, and large-scale capital infrastructure technology implementations.
• Structuring and overseeing financial mechanisms for sustainable infrastructure projects, including public-private partnerships (PPPs), blended finance models, and innovative funding mechanisms.
• Organizing and directing engineering assessments, investigations, and planning work, focusing on feasibility of alternative design approaches and regulatory specifications for sustainable solutions.
• Preparing comprehensive reports and presentations for diverse stakeholders, including senior executives and client decision makers.
• Providing guidance and mentorship as an experienced professional to junior staff and project teams.
• Developing and maintaining positive client relations with existing and prospective clients, actively pursuing new or expanded opportunities in sustainable municipal and potentially international infrastructure.
• Building and leading "Tiger Teams" or other small groups to help establish innovative programs and projects for clients.
• Instilling best practices within blended Staff-Consultant teams for management of program scope, schedule, and budget.
• Overseeing the financial performance of projects, managing projects as profit centers, and ensuring project profitability and fiscal responsibility.
• Monitoring and enforcing compliance with established quality control standards and conducting appropriate qu