Program Manager at Critical Project Services in Houston, TX

Job description

• The Deputy Project Manager supports the Project Director in the day-to-day execution and delivery of a single, complex EPC/EPFC project. This role is responsible for helping translate the Project Director’s execution strategy into actionable plans, driving disciplined project controls, and ensuring alignment across engineering, procurement, construction, and support functions.
• The Deputy PM acts as an extension of the Project Director, taking ownership of defined workstreams, interfaces, or phases of the project and serving as a key problem-solver to maintain schedule, cost, quality, safety, and contractual compliance. This position balances hands-on execution with leadership, coordination, and proactive risk management.

Responsibilities

• Project Execution & Delivery Support
• Support the Project Director in implementing the overall project execution strategy.
• Manage day-to-day project execution activities across assigned scopes, phases, or workstreams.
• Ensure scope, schedule, cost, quality, and safety objectives are met for assigned areas.
• Track execution performance and support recovery planning for schedule or cost deviations.
• Drive timely issue resolution and elevate risks or decisions requiring executive attention.
• Project Controls & Reporting
• Support oversight of project controls including cost, schedule, forecasting, and progress measurement.
• Review and validate project performance data, KPIs, and variance analyses.
• Prepare and coordinate internal and client-facing reports, dashboards, and presentations.
• Support change management processes, including scope changes, trends, and early warnings.
• Risk, Safety & Quality Management
• Assist in identifying, assessing, and mitigating execution, technical, commercial, and schedule risks.
• Promote and reinforce safety leadership and compliance with site and corporate HSE standards.
• Ensure quality requirements are understood and consistently applied across execution teams.
• Participate in audits, reviews, and readiness assessments as required.
• Client & Stakeholder Coordination
• Support the Project Director in managing client interfaces at the project-working and mid-management levels.
• Coordinate responses to client inquiries, action items, and routine communications.
• Participate in client meetings, progress reviews, and issue resolution discussions.
• Interface with subcontractors, vendors, and partners to support aligned execution.
• Cross-Functional Integration
• Coordinate across Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Commissioning, and Project Controls to support integrated delivery.
• Ensure functional teams are aligned with project priorities, schedules, and execution plans.
• Support resource planning and interface management across disciplines.
• Leadership & Team Support
• Provide day-to-day leadership to project managers, engineers, and coordinators within assigned scope.
• Reinforce accountability, collaboration, and disciplined execution behaviors.
• Coach and support less-experienced project team members.
• Serve as acting Project Manager or Project Director delegate when required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 8+ years of experience supporting or managing EPC/EPFC projects.
• Experience working on medium to large, complex projects in a matrixed environment.
• Solid understanding of project controls, scheduling, cost management, and risk management.
• Strong coordination, communication, and organizational skills.
• Experience supporting a Project Director or Senior Project Manager on high-risk or fast-paced projects.
• Prior responsibility for managing defined project scopes or work packages
• Professional certification (PMP or equivalent) preferred.

Skills

Required

• Project controls
• Scheduling
• Cost management
• Risk management
• Coordination
• Communication
• Organizational skills

Preferred

• PMP certification or equivalent

Benefits

• We believe your best work happens when you feel supported - professionally, personally, and financially. That’s why we offer a range of benefits designed to help you thrive, stay healthy, and plan for the future.
• Performance-driven rewards – Competitive pay with incentive opportunities that recognize your results and contributions.
• Comprehensive healthcare – Medical, dental, and vision coverage that supports you and your family’s total well-being.
• Security and peace of mind – Life and disability insurance programs that provide protection when it matters most.
• Flexible benefits options – A variety of voluntary benefits so you can personalize coverage to fit your needs.
• Time to recharge – Generous paid time off to relax, travel, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• Investing in your growth – Education assistance and tuition support to help you build skills and advance your career.
• Planning for the future – Retirement and savings programs that help you achieve long-term financial confidence.