Project Manager II in Irvine, California at EKN Engineering

PROJECT MANAGER II – Distribution

The Project Manager II must be capable of leading multiple high-visibility projects/programs while providing guidance to Project Coordinators and Project Manager I staff. This role includes project planning, resource management, KPI oversight, budget and forecast management, client communication, risk mitigation, contract tracking, process improvement, and proposal support. The ideal candidate has strong experience managing client-facing projects, direct reports, project financials, cross-functional stakeholders, and operational change.

Responsibilities:

Project Operations

• Manage multiple project team(s) day-to-day responsibilities and allocate resources to meet project goals.

• Guide Project Coordinators and/or Project Manager I staff in gathering, documenting, monitoring, and delivering project requirements.

• Collaborate with clients to define project needs, clarify requirements, and recommend practical solutions.

• Develop, maintain, and improve project plans, schedules, budgets, forecasts, action trackers, risk logs, and project documentation.

• Identify opportunities to improve workflow, cycle time, project delivery, and team performance.

• Support process and software change management, including requirements gathering, stakeholder coordination, rollout planning, and adoption.

• Take initiative and accountability for results while managing multiple projects with limited supervision.

KPI & Risk Management

• Own KPI performance across assigned projects and programs.

• Identify performance gaps, project risks, and operational issues before they impact budget, schedule, scope, client expectations, or KPI goals.

• Develop and communicate corrective action plans to internal leadership and client stakeholders.

Client Management

• Lead regular client meetings, planning sessions, status updates, and issue-resolution discussions.

• Lead ideation sessions with clients to identify improved workflows, expanded services, and stronger project outcomes.

• Build strong client relationships through consistent communication, reliable delivery, and solution-based recommendations.

• Identify opportunities to expand existing contracts, support new scopes of work, and position EKN Engineering for future client needs.

• Organize and present project data, risks, recommendations, and performance updates to client leadership.

• Candidate may be asked to travel for in-person client meetings on a quarterly basis, at a minimum.

Contract & Financial Management

• Perform monthly financial reviews to verify performance against forecasts, contracted budgets, project schedules, and defined scope.

• Review forecasting reports submitted by Project Coordinators and Project Manager I staff for accuracy, completeness, and risk.

• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of contract terms and conditions, project schedules, budgets, pricing, and defined scope.

• Track contract burndown, project profitability, budget performance, and variance trends across assigned projects.

• Guide Project Coordinators and Project Manager I staff in financial management, forecasting, and contract tracking.

• Control scope creep through clear documentation, client communication, and formal change processes.

Proposal & Growth Management

• Provide strategic input in the development of project documentation, Requests for Proposals, client presentations, and scope development.

• Support proposal development through scope writing, level-of-effort planning, budget input, risk identification, and operational recommendations.

• Guide Project Coordinators and Project Manager I staff in identifying opportunities to expand business with existing clients.

• Conduct market and client research to identify potential opportunities for EKN Engineering services.

People Management

• Provide oversight, coaching, and mentorship to Project Coordinators, Project Manager I staff, and other assigned team members.

• Conduct regular 1:1 check-ins with direct reports and support skip-level check-ins to identify performance, development needs, and growth opportunities.

• Identify strong performers and support internal growth planning, cross-training, and advancement opportunities.

• Plan staffing, workload balance, utilization, and team structure to meet current project demands and future workload needs.

• Foster a culture of teamwork, communication, accountability, and continuous improvement within project teams.

Qualifications:

• Degree in construction, engineering, business, project management, or another technical discipline preferred.

• Prior project/program management experience required.

• Experience managing direct reports, mentoring junior project staff, or overseeing project teams required.

• Proficiency in MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Proficiency in Power BI, SAP, JIRA are a plus.

• Strong written and verbal communication, client management, meeting facilitation, negotiation, and issue-resolution skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams both internally and externally.

• Ability to proactively identify, assess, mitigate, and monitor project risks across multiple projects.

• Ability to align project outcomes with broader organizational and client goals.

• Strong ethics, influence, leadership, judgment, and interpersonal skills.

• Navigates disagreements constructively and facilitates collaborative solutions.

• Builds trust and maintains strong relationships with clients, sponsors, team members, and direct reports.

Why Join Us:

At EKN Engineering, you’ll be part of a company that values innovation and accountability and supports our employees' professional growth and personal development. Here, you’ll work with teams that push the boundaries of engineering to create solutions that enhance our communities and the environment by making utilities safer.

Benefits & Perks

• 100% Company-Paid Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance – Comprehensive coverage to support your health and well-being.

• 401(k) with Company Match – We invest in your future with a dollar-for-dollar match on contributions.

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – Set aside pre-tax dollars for qualified healthcare and dependent care expenses.

• Exclusive Employee Discounts – Access our BenefitsHub for savings on travel, rental cars, hotels, theme parks, and more.

• Monthly Catered Lunches & Daily Office Snacks – Enjoy a well-stocked kitchen and regular team meals to keep you fueled throughout the day.

• Employee Engagement & Wellness – We value connection and balance. Our team enjoys a variety of events and activities throughout the year, including hiking outings, summer BBQs, sports games, holiday celebrations, and dedicated team-building days.

• JOYA Health Membership – Access to over $1,000 in annual skin health and wellness benefits, including complimentary facials or peels, aesthetic service credits, priority skin cancer screenings, teledermatology services, and discounts on skincare products.

• Wellness Perks & Support Programs – Access a variety of wellness resources including discounted gym memberships through One Pass, mental health and self-care tools via AbleTo and Calm, and monthly rewards for healthy activities through Rally.

Public Warning: Recruitment Phishing Scam Impersonating EKN Engineering

EKN Engineering has become aware of a phishing scheme targeting individuals with fraudulent interview requests and job offers. EKN’s secure IT systems and private applicant information have not been compromised; scammers are impersonating EKN employees, using the company name and branding to mislead and engage potential job seekers in fake recruitment processes. Scammers might reference real job openings or describe fake opportunities that generally match individuals’ professional backgrounds, with the goal of establishing communication and eventually obtaining private financial information to defraud people. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Federal Trade Commission warn that employment scams such as this are a growing cyber threat. EKN urges anyone who is contacted about employment opportunities to exercise caution and know that:

• All communication from EKN Engineering will be from an EKN employee using the @eknengineering.com email domain. We do not use third-party recruiters.

• EKN Engineering recruiters will only schedule interviews for candidates who have applied for a position through our secure portal.

• No corporate or IT systems at EKN are affected by this scam. The scammers are using EKN’s logo and employee names to impersonate the company. • You can directly contact us at TalentAcquisition@eknengineering.com with any questions or concerns.

EKN is committed to ensuring the safety and security of our community. We caution individuals to be vigilant in protecting personal data and vetting communication with new contacts from any company. Do not respond or provide any personal information if contacted by someone claiming to represent a company to which you did not submit a job application or profile. This scam can be perpetrated against any business and individuals who recognize and trust its name.

For information on EKN recruitment practices and policies, please visit our career page or email TalentAcquisition@eknengineering.com. To report a scam, visit: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov//.