Position Summary
Our client, a leader in the construction industry, is seeking an exceptional Program Director to lead the Program Management Office (PMO) services contract, overseeing one of the most critical energy infrastructure initiatives in Puerto Rico.
This executive-level position serves as the senior client-facing leader responsible for directing the PMO team supporting the planning, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and closeout of eight (8) utility-scale generation facilities, including Peaker Plants and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), located throughout Puerto Rico.
The Program Director will serve as the primary representative to executive leadership and key stakeholders, ensuring successful delivery of multiple concurrent projects while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, schedule performance, budget control, and stakeholder engagement.
The ideal candidate is a highly accomplished construction and program management professional with extensive experience leading large-scale, complex energy, industrial, utility, infrastructure, or EPC programs. This individual must possess exceptional leadership skills, executive presence, commercial acumen, and the ability to effectively manage client relationships in a high-visibility environment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Executive Leadership & Strategic Program Oversight
- Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for organization.
- Lead the execution and governance of a multi-site energy infrastructure program consisting of Peaker and BESS facilities across Puerto Rico.
- Establish and maintain program management standards, reporting protocols, performance metrics, and governance structures.
- Ensure alignment of project execution strategies with client's operational, regulatory, financial, and business objectives.
- Develop and implement corrective action plans to address risks, schedule impacts, cost overruns, and project performance issues.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across all project teams and delivery partners.
Client Relationship Management
- Serve as the primary executive point of contact between company and client.
- Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior client executives, project sponsors, regulatory agencies, consultants, contractors, and key stakeholders.
- Lead executive-level meetings, steering committees, progress reviews, and strategic planning sessions.
- Anticipate client needs and proactively develop solutions to complex project challenges.
- Ensure exceptional client satisfaction through transparency, responsiveness, and consistent delivery of project objectives.
- Represent company in all high-level contractual, operational, and strategic discussions.
Program & Project Controls Management
- Provide executive oversight of project controls, including scheduling, cost management, risk management, forecasting, reporting, and change management.
- Ensure integration and consistency across all project schedules, budgets, and reporting systems.
- Review and approve key project deliverables, recovery plans, risk mitigation strategies, and change order recommendations.
- Monitor program performance against established KPIs and contractual requirements.
- Ensure accurate and timely reporting to both internal and external leadership teams.
Leadership & Team Development
- Directly lead and develop a multidisciplinary PMO team consisting of Program Managers, Construction Managers, Project Controls Specialists, Schedulers, QA/QC personnel, Safety Professionals, and administrative support staff.
- Foster a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, professionalism, and results.
- Mentor and develop future leaders within the organization.
- Establish clear performance expectations and ensure alignment with program goals.
- Coordinate resources effectively across multiple projects and locations.
Construction & Operational Excellence
- Ensure all construction activities are executed in accordance with contract requirements, industry standards, engineering specifications, and regulatory requirements.
- Oversee implementation of quality assurance, quality control, environmental compliance, and safety management programs.
- Promote a culture of zero incidents and operational excellence throughout all project sites.
- Support commissioning, startup, testing, and turnover activities to ensure successful facility integration and operational readiness.
Contract Administration & Risk Management
- Maintain executive oversight of contract compliance and commercial administration.
- Lead evaluation and resolution of complex contractual issues, claims, disputes, and change orders.
- Identify and mitigate program-level risks that could impact safety, cost, schedule, quality, or stakeholder relationships.
- Ensure adherence to all federal, local, environmental, and utility regulatory requirements.
Required Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, Architecture, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Master's Degree (MBA, Engineering Management, Construction Management, or similar discipline) strongly preferred.
Experience
- Minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressive experience managing large-scale construction, infrastructure, energy, utility, industrial, or EPC projects.
- Minimum of ten (10) years in senior leadership positions overseeing multiple concurrent projects and multidisciplinary teams.
- Demonstrated experience serving as an Owner's Representative, PMO Director, Program Director, Executive Project Director, or similar leadership role.
- Proven experience managing programs exceeding $250 million in aggregate project value.
- Experience with power generation facilities, battery energy storage systems (BESS), utility infrastructure, renewable energy, or industrial construction strongly preferred.
- Experience working with public-private partnerships, federal funding programs, and utility-sector stakeholders is highly desirable.
Required Skills & Competencies
- Executive-level client relationship management and stakeholder engagement.
- Exceptional leadership and people management capabilities.
- Advanced understanding of project controls, cost management, scheduling, forecasting, and risk management.
- Strong commercial and contractual management expertise.
- Outstanding verbal, written, presentation, and negotiation skills.
- Ability to lead high-performing teams in fast-paced and complex environments.
- Strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
- Demonstrated ability to influence executive stakeholders and drive strategic outcomes.
Technical Proficiency
- Primavera P6
- Procore
- Microsoft Project
- Power BI
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Construction management and project controls software platforms
Required:
Preferred:
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Certified Construction Manager (CCM)
- PMI Program Management Professional (PgMP)
- Professional Engineer (PE)
Language Requirements
- Fully bilingual (English and Spanish), with the ability to effectively communicate at executive, technical, and field levels.
Working Conditions
- Extensive travel throughout Puerto Rico required.
- Combination of office, executive meeting, and active construction site environments.
- Ability to perform site visits in varying weather and field conditions.
- Ability to attend client meetings, executive briefings, and construction activities as required.
- Availability to respond to critical project issues outside normal business hours when necessary.
Benefits
- Competitive Executive Compensation Package
- Annual Performance Incentive Program
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Executive Leadership Exposure
- Participation in Landmark Energy Infrastructure Projects
