Job Description

REPORTS TO: Director of Projects

SUPERVISES:  

Directly:

Project Managers

Project Coordinators

Subordinate:

Program and Project Support Managers

POSITION SUMMARY:

Provide strategic leadership and oversight of multiple construction projects, ensuring delivery against cost, schedule, quality, and safety objectives. Drive performance through effective team leadership, stakeholder alignment, and proactive risk management.

AUTHORITIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership & Team Management

  • Lead and develop Project Managers, Project Coordinators, and cross-functional teams to achieve high performance and accountability

  • Mentor and coach team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development

  • Oversee performance evaluations, merit planning, and succession development for direct reports

Project Delivery & Execution

  • Own end-to-end project execution, ensuring alignment with contractual requirements, schedules, and financial targets

  • Ensure all projects are executed efficiently with a strong focus on milestone achievement, cost control, and schedule adherence

  • Maintain active field presence to monitor safety, productivity, and work quality

Stakeholder & Customer Management

  • Serve as primary point of contact for project-related operational issues across all assigned programs

  • Partner closely with Program and Operations leadership to ensure alignment on priorities, risks, and execution strategy

  • Lead and participate in customer engagements, executive briefings, and project reviews

Risk, Cost & Performance Management

  • Drive performance using cost and schedule metrics (including EVMS), ensuring accurate forecasting and variance analysis

  • Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks impacting cost, schedule, or contractual performance

  • Validate resource planning and ensure alignment between planned and actual execution

Coordination & Problem Resolution

  • Resolve cross-project conflicts related to sequencing, constraints, and resource allocation

  • Ensure effective communication across engineering, supply chain, and construction teams

  • Oversee supplier performance, including delivery, quality, and issue resolution

Engineering & Technical Oversight

  • Coordinate with engineering leadership to ensure timely delivery of design outputs supporting project schedules

  • Ensure compliance with specifications, regulatory requirements, and contractual obligations

Continuous Improvement

  • Promote lessons learned, rework reduction, and field change management processes

  • Drive initiatives to improve efficiency, quality, and overall project performance

QUALIFICATIONS / KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field preferred

  • 10 years of related experience in Project Management and/or significant leadership responsibility.

  • A sound knowledge of the military marine construction industry

  • A proven track record with experience in the marine industry in engineering / construction / operation or similar heavy industrial environments.

  • Strong working knowledge of EVMS principles, cost control, and schedule management tools

  • Demonstrated ability to lead complex, multi-disciplinary teams in a fast-paced environment

  • Ability to understand schedule reporting tools and be competent in maintaining and validating schedule related data

  • Ability to listen to staff and customers and act appropriately

  • Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills

  • Strong understanding of contracts, technical specifications, and regulatory requirements

  • Ability to operate independently, make decisions, and drive results under pressure

  • Ability to work independently and be self motivated

  • Willingness to work extended or irregular hours as required by project demands

TOOLS: None

DIRECTION EXERCISED:  Full discretionary authority to assign work

DISCRETION EXERCISED:  Full discretionary authority to correct and discipline, recommend pay increase, transfers, promotions, discharges, and process grievances to direct employees.

LIAISES WITH: 

  • All levels of Austal organization

  • Supervisor of Shipbuilding (SupShip) representatives

  • Navy Program Office

  • Subcontractors

ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES:

  • Must be able to obtain and maintain required Security Clearance.

  • Candidates must meet the following employment eligibility guidelines to be considered for employment with Austal USA:

  • 18 years of age or older at time of application

  • Able to provide proof of US Person Status

  • No felony convictions of Theft/Deception or Violent crimes within seven years from disposition date

  • No felony convictions of Drug crimes within three years from disposition date

  • Willing to submit to a drug screen

  • Willing to submit to a background check

Equal Employment Commitment

Any qualified individual with a disability who is having difficulty in completing an application because of incompatible technology or other disability-related application issues may contact us at the following phone number for assistance: 251-445-1932.

Austal’s commitment to equal employment opportunity applies at all levels of employment, in all job titles, including the executive level, and to all employment actions, including but not limited to decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, training, and promotion. 

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