Project Manager

Department: Projects Team

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Southern California

Compensation: $124,800 - $166,400 / year

Description

Arellano Associates (AA) is a public communications and strategic marketing consulting firm focused on stakeholder engagement in the transportation, energy, water and planning sectors across Southern California and beyond. We work closely with public agencies, governments, and private-sector clients on infrastructure projects in all phases of development including: planning, environmental, design and engineering, construction, and operations. To deliver quality communication programs for our clients, we have an in-house Innovations Team that is comprised of specialists focused on technology, social and digital media, and creative design. Additionally, we are progressively integrating artificial intelligence (AI) in phases to further elevate the quality and effectiveness of our communications and outreach services. Equally important is the implementation of effective communications and engagement activities. As such, our approach is guided by Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) principles which are dedicated to removing barriers to participation, addressing systemic inequities, and ensuring our projects reflect input from the diverse communities we support.

The Project Manager (PM) at AA leads communications and engagement programs for infrastructure projects of all scales in transportation, clean energy and water initiatives . This role is accountable for managing scopes, schedules, budgets and project teams, ensuring all deliverables meet high-quality standards, are completed on time, and remain within budget.

Project Managers report to a Project Director or Senior Project Manager (SPM), and serve as the primary point of contact for clients and coordinate with internal staff and external partners to execute strategic communication and engagement plans. They drive new business by identifying and solidifying new opportunities, positioning proposal development and strengthening client relationships. In addition, Project Managers contribute to business growth by identifying new opportunities, supporting proposal development, and fostering client relationships. This role also includes supervising and mentoring junior staff, ensuring team billability goals are met, and consistently seeking improvements in processes, collaboration, and overall project delivery and performance.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership and Delivery: Lead and manage public communications and engagement projects across transportation, clean energy and water, overseeing scopes, schedules, budgets and deliverables.
Client Management: Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned projects, responsible for client relations, maintaining regular communication, managing expectations and providing strategic guidance and updates.
Engagement Strategy and Implementation: Design and implement public outreach, communications and strategic engagement programs, analyzing public perceptions and aligning tactics with client goals.
Innovative Engagement Methods: Develop and apply new in person and digital engagement strategies to reach diverse communities and gather meaningful stakeholder input. Work closely with the Innovations Team to identify trends and adapt tactics that support industry needs.
Integration of Emerging Technologies: progressively integrate AI in phases to further elevate the quality and effectiveness of our communications and outreach services.
Business Development: Lead proposal development, budgets and presentations; identify and solidify opportunities connected to active projects and represent the firm at relevant meetings and events. Responsible for actively pursuing industry leads and bringing forward upcoming opportunities.
Vendor and Sub consultant Management: Solicit, evaluate and manage bids and contracts with sub consultants and specialty vendors, ensuring clear scopes, task direction and budget alignment.
Staff Development and Supervision: Mentor and support staff through clear expectations, feedback and one on one check ins, monitoring work quality and fostering a collaborative team culture. Create development and growth plans that support staff’s advancement.
Reporting and Process Improvement: Maintain accurate project documentation, budgets and records, while identifying and recommending improvements to project workflows and team processes.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Project and Technical Skills: Proficiency in planning, scheduling, budgeting and risk management for multiple concurrent projects in a consulting environment.
Client Relationship Management: Skill in building trust with clients, managing expectations and providing clear, actionable strategic recommendations.
Public Engagement and Outreach: Strong knowledge and experience with community engagement methods, public meeting practices and tools for gathering and interpreting stakeholder input.
Regulatory and Policy Frameworks: Comprehensive knowledge with infrastructure related processes such as CEQA, NEPA and other planning or environmental review contexts.
Communication and Facilitation: Strong written and verbal communication skills, including preparing client ready deliverables and facilitating meetings, workshops and public events.
Software and Digital Tools: Proficiency with Microsoft 365, SharePoint and OneDrive, with experience using project tracking tools such as Monday.com, as well as integrating emerging technologies such as AI consistent with AA’s phased AI integration strategy.
Digital Engagement Platforms: Experience with tools such as SurveyMonkey, MetroQuest, Poll Everywhere and Typeform for surveys, polling and online participation.
Mapping and Visualization Tools: Familiarity with ArcGIS, StoryMaps or similar tools to support mapping and visual storytelling is preferred.
Analytical and Organizational Strengths: Ability to interpret project data, synthesize insights and manage details, while prioritizing tasks and adapting to evolving project needs.

Minimum Requirements

10 to 18 years of relevant experience in project management, public outreach, strategic communications, community engagement, infrastructure consulting, similar.
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Communications, Urban Planning, Public Administration or a closely related field.
Demonstrated success managing complex, multi stakeholder, client facing projects with responsibility for scope, schedule, budget and team performance.
Experience supervising, mentoring and developing staff.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience leading client ready deliverables and facilitating meetings, workshops or public events.
Experience working within or alongside public agencies, government departments or regulatory bodies.
Proven ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with clients, agency partners, community organizations and project stakeholders.
Experience with procurement processes including vendor or sub consultant management.
Schedule flexibility to work outside of business hours, including evenings and weekends as required by the client and/or project.
Valid driver’s license and reliable means of transportation.

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