Principal Project Manager

Job Description:

Principal Project Manager

Description

Understanding that people are the foundation for success, the City of Irvine offers a workplace culture that embraces Humility, Innovation, Empathy, Passion, and Integrity. The City of Irvine is seeking a dynamic and experienced Principal Project Manager to lead and oversee high-profile, high-stakes public sector projects that directly impact our community's growth, infrastructure, and future. This critical role will require a visionary leader who thrives in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment and is adept at managing large-scale projects while maintaining a focus on collaboration, strategic decision-making, and effective communication.

As the Principal Project Manager, you will report directly to the Manager of Project Delivery. You will be responsible for ensuring the successful execution of key initiatives, managing cross-functional teams, and regularly engaging with the City Manager's Office and the Executive Team to provide updates, address challenges, and drive impactful results. Projects may include large and complex construction, rehabilitation, and/or maintenance of roads, bridges, drainage facilities, landscaping, traffic signals, parks, and buildings.

This recruitment will establish an eligibility list for Principal Project Manager and will expire 4/14/2026. This list may be used to fill future positions in similar and/or lower classifications within the organization.

Effective the pay period that includes July 1, 2025, all employees covered by this position's Agreement shall be provided with an additional one and one-half percent (1.5%) base salary increase. This will be in addition to the previously approved and currently planned base salary increase of three and one-half percent (3.5%) that has already been scheduled to take effect for the pay period including July 1, 2025, for a total of five percent (5%) base salary increase. The bottom of the range will move up five percent (5%) commensurate with this change.

Effective the pay period including July 1, 2026, the salary range for each classification covered under this agreement shall be increased by five percent (5%). The bottom of the range will move up five percent (5%) commensurate with this change.

Effective the pay period including July 1, 2027, the salary range for each position covered under this agreement shall be increased by five percent (5%). The bottom of the range will move up five percent (5%) commensurate with this change. Effective the pay period including July 1, 2028, the salary range for each classification covered under this agreement shall be increased by five percent (5%). The bottom of the range will move up five percent (5%) commensurate with this change.

Your Impact

• Administer and oversee complex capital improvement projects, ensuring all phases, from development and budget estimation to bid management, construction management, and project closeout, are executed efficiently.
• Respond to concerns from residents, business owners, and constituents, addressing issues and providing timely updates on project process.
• Ensure project activities comply with project specifications and City policies. Review and approve construction documents, expenditures, and reports to maintain alignment with project goals.
• Negotiate supplemental agreements, time extensions, and change orders to keep projects on track and within scope.
• Monitor inspection reports and document progress to ensure adherence to the project schedule and identify any potential delays.
• Supervise and mentor professional, paraprofessional support staff, conducting performance evaluations, coordinating training and overseeing hiring, disciplinary actions, and terminations as necessary.
• Find additional information in the Principal Project Manager job description.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or related field.
• Six (6) years professional experience.
• A valid California driver's license.

Best Fit

• Extensive experience overseeing multiple public construction projects, ensuring each phase is executed effectively and efficiently.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication abilities to collaborate with City staff, external partners, contractors, and the public. Able to clearly convey complex ideas and provide outstanding customer service.
• A proven ability to lead teams, collaborate with diverse groups, and adapt to ever-changing environments, all while maintaining a positive and solution-oriented approach to problem-solving.
• Demonstrated situational awareness and decision-making skills, consistently exercising sound judgment in managing risks and navigating challenges.
• In-depth understanding of critical local, state, and federal regulations, including the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD), Work Area Traffic Control Handbook (W.A.T.C.H.), Caltrans regulations, and the Greenbook (Standard Specifications for Public Works Construction).

Your Team
The Mission of the Employees of the City of Irvine is to create and maintain a community where people can live, work, and play in an environment that is safe, vibrant, and aesthetically pleasing. We are one team that exists to serve our community in the continual pursuit of a City that offers an exceptional quality of life. The City of Irvine's five values of Humility, Innovation, Empathy, Passion, and Integrity reflect the interests and needs of the community, and the level of service they expect and desire. We are One Irvinethrough embrace of a team-oriented approach by living our values every day.
The Public Works & Sustainability Department combines the strengths of Administration & Planning, Park Development, Transportation Planning & Mobility, Infrastructure Maintenance & Operations, Capital Project Delivery, and Sustainability & Environmental Initiatives to create a unified approach to infrastructure management and sustainability. City assets include streetscapes, open space, City parks (community and neighborhood), athletic fields, bike trails, roadways, traffic signals, and more. The Capital Improvement Program has an annual delivery of $100 million in capital projects, in addition to the delivery of the globally relevant Great Park. With over 200 dedicated staff across five divisions, we prioritize efficiency, sustainability, and community engagement in all our endeavors. Together, we strive to build and maintain infrastructure that meets the needs of our community while ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
The Process
The selection process will include an examination and conduct a background investigation prior to appointment. This recruitment may establish an eligibility list to fill future positions in similar and/or lower classifications within the organization.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Irvine is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. We encourage you to inform Human Resources at least two business days prior to the first phase of the selection process if you have a disability that may require an accommodation.


Closing Date/Time: 4/14/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$107,286.40 - $168,792.00 Annually