Project Manager VII

Join us as we Rise to the Challenge

At KCI, we’re building an enduring community that provides unparalleled value to our employee-owners. We make our mark designing and delivering our world-class solutions, so we invest deeply in supporting and developing our team. We reward integrity and commitment, and when we do well, you do well. Our employees have the freedom to innovate, unlimited growth, a voice that matters, a lifestyle that works, and skin in the game. Achievements are shared and celebrated. As a team, we are motivated to better ourselves, each other, and the world around us. 

THE COMPANY

KCI Technologies, Inc. is a 100% employee-owned engineering, consulting and construction firm serving clients throughout the United States. KCI is recognized as an industry leader, employing cutting-edge technologies, management practices and strategic growth initiatives. Employee ownership fosters an entrepreneurial spirit, encourages technical expertise, and shapes strategic planning.

KCI is currently ranked #56 on Engineering News-Record’s list of the Top 500 design firms in the nation.

KCI BENEFITS INFORMATION

We offer a competitive compensation package, family friendly benefits, a collaborative working environment, and the training, mentoring and resources you need to advance in your career.

We understand that you have choices, and we know that together we will make a great team!

KCI is committed to building a diverse and inclusive staff, and we encourage women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and individuals with disabilities to apply.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Project Manager VII represents a highly experienced Project Manager within KCI’s Energy Project Manager track. In this role, individuals oversee projects with significant scope, involving extensive coordination across multiple subconsultants, contractors, vendors, and suppliers. The Project Manager VII is pivotal to the successful delivery of projects, ensuring seamless execution from inception through completion. This role demands a highly organized and seasoned Project Manager, skilled in balancing diverse technical requirements, overseeing project teams, and meeting rigorous project goals, all while navigating the intricacies of larger-scale project management.

Key Technical Skills Required:

• Demonstrate deep technical knowledge of electrical power systems, renewable energy technologies, and energy storage solutions, including battery systems, solar PV, wind, and grid integration.
• Provide strategic technical oversight in solar, wind, and battery energy storage systems (BESS), leveraging extensive experience in project execution from early-stage development through commercial operation​
• Guide the engineering team on voltage profile management, power quality impact assessments, and grid integration strategies for renewable energy projects​.
• Ensure compliance with NERC standards, FERC regulations, and interconnection requirements for solar, wind, and storage projects​.
• Lead the technical development, engineering design, and execution of utility-scale solar, wind, and BESS projects, ensuring adherence to ISO/RTO interconnection requirements​.
• Oversee the preparation and review of technical scopes of work, substation relay testing, SCADA integration, and protection & control designs for renewable generation facilities​.
• Validate technical specifications and performance requirements.
• Ensure compliance with grid codes, standards, and safety requirements.
• Review and approve technical risk assessments.
• Provide QA/QC for interconnection studies, system modeling (ETAP, CYME, PSCAD), and substation protection design​.
• Mentor and build a high-performing team of engineers specializing in DER integration, renewable interconnection, and energy storage technologies.
• Develop standardized engineering processes and best practices for Clean Generation & Energy Storage projects within KCI​.
• Experience working with Transmission Owners, Distribution Engineers, and ISO/RTOs to optimize interconnection strategies and mitigate grid-impact issues.
• Work with procurement teams and stakeholders to streamline interconnection processes, negotiate utility agreements, and resolve technical roadblocks​.
• Lead utility coordination meetings to ensure compliance with interconnection study requirements and operational constraints.
• Strengthen relationships with key clients and partners in the renewable energy sector.
• Identify and integrate emerging storage and hybrid renewable technologies to enhance KCI’s market presence​.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to position KCI as an industry leader in clean generation solutions.
• Maintain expertise in NERC reliability standards, interconnection policies, and evolving renewable energy regulations.

The key responsibilities of this role include:

Project Management and Leadership:

• Manage all aspects of the project(s), including technical staff, subcontractors, and suppliers, to ensure timely and successful project completion.
• Develop and communicate the Project Management Plan for the project, outlining project objectives, scope, schedule, budget, quality standards, and safety protocols.
• Develop project specific scope of work and contract documents incompliance with client requirements and in alignment with industry standard of care.
• Effectively manage the project scope, ensuring alignment with client expectations and project requirements.
• Maintain project schedules, proactively identifying and addressing potential delays or conflicts to minimize impact on project timelines.
• Monitor project budgets and expenditures, implementing cost-control measures as needed to ensure projects remain within budgetary constraints.
• Uphold high-quality standards throughout project execution, overseeing quality assurance processes and ensuring adherence to industry standards and best practices and project specific specifications.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the client, maintaining open communication and addressing client concerns or inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders and project team members to drive project success and foster a collaborative working environment.
• Actively manage the project for compliance with contract scope, schedule, fee including change orders.
• Allocate resources efficiently, ensuring that the project team is adequately staffed and equipped to meet project demands.
• Identify, assess, and manage project risks and develop mitigation strategies to minimize impact on project.
• Conduct risk assessments and prepare contingency plans

Training, Development, and Compliance:

• Mentor less experienced Project Managers to assist in their training and development.
• Comply with all KCI policies and procedures.
• Provide input to develop project-specific safety plans and implement project safety plans to ensure compliance with all Federal, state, and local safety rules and regulations.

Financial Management and Reporting:

• Highly experienced at negotiating contract terms, scope and fees with a client/subconsultant.
• Highly experienced at developing project schedules from inception to completion. Should be able to recognize areas where tasks can be done concurrently to optimize schedule.
• Experience with contract development for clients/ subconsultants.
• Report monthly proposal/business development results to Sr. PM or Practice Leader.
• Achieve or exceed budgeted individual utilization target (85% typical).
• Chart and provide project performance results, report on progress, and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Deliver all projects on time and within budget while fully meeting the scope.
• Operate within specified (corporate or project) budget parameters.
• Prepare and submit monthly project completion report.
• Prepare inter-practice agreements and/or outside subcontracts as required.
• Prepare monthly progress reports for all projects and be able to discuss in monthly Project Review Meetings.
• Responsible for project cash management (WIP/AR) and providing comments to Finance and Operations monthly.
• Set-up new projects and provide weekly new project data to the Sr. PM or Practice Leader.
• Search for ways to improve efficiency while lowering project cost.

Business Development and Marketing:

• Responsible for participating in project opportunity evaluations, consultant selections, and the preparation of qualification/experience statements.
• Responsible for identifying new business opportunities, coordinating and participating in project presentations to clients and other external groups, developing and organizing proposal teams and promoting KCI’s capabilities among existing and prospective clients.
• Assist project closeout with an overall project write up and pictures of completed project for marketing/resume use. 
• Be involved in at least one industry and/or community organization.

Project Execution and Technical Oversight:

• Fully manage all required project management and technical deliverables required in contract scope of work.
• Compare field data to design plans.
• Conduct site visits and gather data, including measurements, sketches, notes, and photographs as needed.
• Prepare all phases of designs and/or deliverables submitting for approval.
• Read and interpret technical documents required for project execution.
• Make decisions on issues/challenges during project implementation or development.
• Maintain knowledge of current State and/or Municipal policies, procedures, and guidelines.

* Essential Duties and Responsibilities are the basic job functions that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Education and/or Skills Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field (AEC Industry) and minimum of 4 years of related professional experience, or 8 years of equivalent professional experience.
• Masters Degree in related field(AEC Industry)
• Participation in continuing education and professional development programs.
• Proven experience in project management roles, with a track record of successful project delivery.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities to inspire and motivate project teams.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interact with clients, team members, and stakeholders.
• Deep technical knowledge in the specific field of the project.
• Expertise in project management software and tools, with the ability to develop and maintain comprehensive project plans and documentation.
• Knowledge of industry standards and best practices related to project management, quality assurance, and safety protocols.
• Effective problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues and implement solutions in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong negotiation skills to manage multiple contracts, scope changes, and stakeholder agreements effectively.
• Strong comprehension of accounting principles to effectively manage project budgets, financial reporting, and resource allocation.

Certificates, licenses, and/or Registrations Required:

• Successful completion of the KCI PM Training and Contract Training for current employees) or ability to complete within six months (for new hires.
• Pre-employment drug screening is a condition of employment. Background and motor vehicle checks may be required based upon position.