Project Manager

Willdan Financial Services (WFS), a subsidiary of Willdan Group Inc., is a growing consulting firm that provides financial and economic consulting services primarily to cities, counties and other local government jurisdictions including public sewer, water, natural gas, and electric utilities. We are seeking a Project Manager for our Orlando office. The Project Manager will play a crucial role in managing and overseeing multiple and simultaneous active projects, often acting as the primary point of contact between external clients and the consulting team. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• The selected individual will primarily work independently and report to a Principal Consultant or Group Manager/Director in one or more of the following areas: 
  • Financial Modeling for Water, Wastewater, Natural Gas, Electric, Solid Waste, and Stormwater Utility Clients: Developing and analyzing financial models to develop and project financial results, support sound ratemaking, utility operations, budgeting, forecasting, and decision-making.
  • User Fee and Cost Allocation Plan Updates: Conducting updates and reviews of user fee programs and structures to ensure fees recover the cost of providing city services, cost allocation plans to produce methodologies that appropriately allocate the cost of indirect overhead support services to direct operating activities or functions within a city, and to ensure fees and cost allocations are aligned with current operations and regulations.
  • Fiscal and Economic Impact Analysis: Performing detailed analyses to assess the fiscal and economic impacts of new development or redevelopment/reuse on a community or local government.
  • Revenue Enhancement Studies: Analyzing current revenue generation strategies and recommending potential enhancements or new revenue sources.
• Client Engagement and Relationship Management: Serve as the primary contact for clients, ensuring clear and consistent communication to understand their needs, objectives, and challenges. Maintain positive client relationships and ensure client satisfaction throughout the project.
• Project Coordination and Management: Oversee the day-to-day activities of the project, ensuring that timelines, budgets, and quality standards are met. Coordinate the efforts of internal teams and resources to deliver project milestones successfully.
• Research and Analysis: Conduct in-depth research and analysis to understand the client's issues, challenges, and business environment. Use this information to guide the project’s strategic direction and deliver tailored solutions.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure high-quality results by tracking progress, reviewing models, analysis and deliverables, identifying potential risks, and mitigating any issues that could affect project outcomes.
• Presenting, Reporting and Communication: Prepare regular presentations, reports and updates for clients and internal stakeholders, ensuring transparency and effective communication. Present findings, recommendations, and progress to clients in a clear and actionable manner, often at public meetings advising elected and appointed policy makers.
• Budget and Financial Management: Keep track of project budgets and ensure proper revenue acceptance processes are followed to maintain financial accountability.
• Time Management: Efficiently managing both personal and team time to ensure that tasks and deliverables are completed within the set timeframe and budget.
• Staff Development: May mentor, train, and support the development of analysts and junior staff.
• Maintaining Strong Business Relationships: Build and nurture long-term business relationships with clients, stakeholders, and partners through consistent communication and production of high-quality services and deliverables. Engage with clients regularly to ensure their needs are met, gather feedback, and ensure customer satisfaction.

Job Requirements / Qualifications

• B.A. or B.S. in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Urban Planning, or Public Administration.
• 4 or more years of relevant experience (preferably in a government agency or government consulting firm).
• Prior knowledge and experience with utility or local public government industry clients is required.
• Ability to prioritize multiple simultaneous projects and tasks to ensure timely execution of high-quality services and deliverables. 
• Experience presenting findings to stakeholders including elected governing bodies, local governm