Project Manager – Power & Buildings

Published 26 March 2024

Location: Maryland, USA

The Company 

Plenary is a leading specialized developer of long-term Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects.  Since its inception in 2005, we have built a portfolio of 60 projects and more than $23 billion in North American assets under management. We are determined in our approach to deliver first-class infrastructure, build the right delivery solutions for the projects we work on and inspire people with our vision for transformational spaces. 

Why Work for Plenary? 

Recognized as one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures, ranked as a Best Place to Work in Canada and certified as a Great Place to Work in both the US and Canada, we pride ourselves on our winning workplace culture. Our focus is on empowering our employees, driving results, building strong camaraderie, and celebrating our wins as a team. Together, we bring infrastructure to life. 

The Role

As a member of the Asset Delivery team, you will be responsible for the on-site management of one to two exciting new projects in Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area from the start of construction through project operations. Your primary objective will be to ensure that Plenary successfully manages its construction and ongoing operational obligations (via construction and operation subcontractors) and meets its project commitments under a PPP framework, and thereby build a premier reputation for Plenary with client entities, business partners and community stakeholders. Within this role, you will act as the primary point of contact with the public sector client and Plenary’s partners, and be responsible for implementing the project in coordination with other members of the project team.

The ideal candidate will be capable of engaging stakeholders by effectively articulating Plenary’s approach to achieving project objectives and must demonstrate the ability to build and maintain long-term, effective working partnerships. The candidate must also have strong interpersonal skills, a demonstrated record of creative problem solving in complex situations, and the ability to make well-informed decisions to progress the assigned project. The role with likely grow to include the same or similar responsibilities on other Plenary projects in the same geographical region.

Responsibilities

• Project Management: Provide effective and professional project management to successfully complete and to ensure that all project commitments, contracted milestones and deliverables are met.
• Cost Management and Budget Control: Manage and coordinate the preparation of project risk registers and budgets to ensure that costs are accurately identified for project proposals and support the project team in negotiation up to financial close. Then, manage within these parameters during the management and the delivery phase of the construction.
• Project Delivery: Oversee all deliverables and milestones including management and tracking of risks throughout the project lifecycle from the initial opportunity identification through to construction and operational handover. Ensure accurate project reporting to Plenary management.
• Quality and Standards: Maintain Plenary’s quality and standards in terms of proposal, contract and project documentation.
• Operational Handover: Lead operational handover from construction to service partners, including ensuring that all necessary client documentation is complete and accurate.
• Procurement Management Support (as needed): Assist in directing, controlling and managing consultants and contractors. This involves extensive communication with all consultants and advisors and regular review of the progress of their work to ensure that the optimal winning solution is developed and executed in a manner consistent with the bid and contract documents.

During the construction phase of projects assigned, have responsibility for:

• Managing Plenary’s obligations, meeting project commitments, mitigating risk and successfully implementing our bid solution for this project in a manner consistent with Plenary projects across North America.
• Implementing a project management system framework that complies with Plenary requirements and the project agreements for the projects assigned;
• Developing an in-depth understanding of the project agreement and related sub-agreements (e.g. services and construction contracts, etc.), develop an inventory of deliverables for Plenary and its partners, and implement a system to manage the timely delivery of obligations;
• Attending and participating in design and construction meetings to monitor compliance with the project documents and communications between the project parties;
• Reviewing and providing feedback on submittals produced by construction and service partners;
• Coordinating to ensure a seamless transition between the completion of the construction phase and the commencement of the operations phase;
• Taking responsibility for facilitating close working relationships between all parties during both the construction and operations phases; and
• Preparing regular monthly and quarterly reports regarding any design and construction, operations, and asset performance information required for distribution to Plenary’s senior management team and to ensure compliance with related project agreements.

During the operations phase of the projects assigned, have day-to-day responsibility to:

• Manage the operations, maintenance and rehabilitation (OMR) budgets to support the achievement of optimal financial outcomes;
• Oversee annual forecasts provided by service providers;
• Ensure that Plenary and its partners meet all of its service requirements detailed in the project agreements;
• Continuous monitoring and assessment of OMR to monitor compliance with defined service specifications;
• Review service partners’ budgets to ensure that processes outlined in the relevant project agreements are complied with;
• mplement communication and relationship management plans relating to all stakeholders;
• Develop and implement quality, safety, and environmental management systems as required;
• Assist with the development, implementation and review of the annual business plan;
• Prepare and present regular monthly and quarterly operations and asset performance information required for distribution to Plenary’s senior management team and to ensure compliance with related project agreements
• Monitor and review client and stakeholder satisfaction;
• Administration of the Plenary’s computerized maintenance management system (CMMS), if applicable; and
• Support Plenary’s senior management team in other areas as required.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education in business management, public administration, engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in management in the PPP, higher-education, and/or energy sectors, preferably with entities providing design, construction, and/or operations services.
• Experience working with district energy assets, co-generation facilities, or energy transition projects would be an asset.
• Experience using scheduling or project management software would be an asset.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office and excellent writing and editing skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong work ethic and high level of personal and professional integrity. Ability to work with various priorities with competing timelines.
• Work positively within a team to achieve the common goal of project completion.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact with various specialties – designers, contractors, financial and legal professionals, and public-sector clients.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary with annual bonus potential.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental and vision, and 401k plan with employer contribution.
• Four weeks’ vacation.
• Long-term development opportunities and the ability to be part of an exciting and growing industry

Note: Only those applicants under consideration will be contacted. Please accept our utmost appreciation for your interest. We are committed to continuous improvement, and a diverse and inclusive workplace for all. Plenary Americas is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and employment decisions are based on merit and business needs only. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request.