Program Manager

ACCIONA is a global company, leading in the development of regenerative infrastructure that creates a positive impact on society. Our workforce consists of more than 65,000 professionals, present in more than 40 countries across the five continents, all contributing in our mission to design a better planet. Are you a passionate individual who wants to make a difference, promote sustainable development, and find solutions to the biggest global challenges including climate change, overpopulation, and water scarcity? Come and join us in building the infrastructure our planet needs to achieve a sustainable future.

Acciona offers a competitive salary, relocation assistance where relocation is required and approved, 401(k) retirement plan, medical, dental, vision, life, short and long-term disability benefits, tuition reimbursement, paid time off, and more.

The Project Manager is accountable for the overall leadership, execution, and delivery of the Corpus Christi Desalination Plant from design and estimation through scheduling, procurement, construction, commissioning, and handover to operations. The PM is the single point of accountability for safety, schedule, cost, quality, regulatory compliance, and client satisfaction.

This role requires deep experience in large scale desalination and water treatment infrastructure, including marine intake/outfall systems, advanced treatment processes, EPC or Progressive design build or design build delivery models, and coordination with municipal clients, regulators, and off takers. The Project Manager leads multidisciplinary teams and external partners to ensure successful project outcomes in accordance with contractual, technical, environmental, and financial requirements.

Project Leadership & Governance

• Serve as overall project lead with full responsibility for delivery of the Corpus Christi Desalination Plant.
• Act as the primary client interface, maintaining strong relationships with municipal authorities, utilities, regulators, lenders, and stakeholders.
• Lead the Project Joint Venture
• Represent the project in executive steering committees, governance reviews, and major commercial or regulatory discussions.
• Ensure alignment with corporate objectives, risk appetite, and governance policies.

Design, Engineering & Technical Oversight

• Provide executive direction and monitoring for the proper achievements of design goals and schedule milestones.
• Provide executive oversight Design Quality
• Ensure integration across Disciplines
• Lead technical risk reviews, value engineering, and design optimization throughout project phases.
• Oversee third‑party engineers, technical advisors, and independent reviewers.

Construction & Commissioning Execution

• Direct construction execution strategy, scheduling, sequencing, logistics, and field leadership.
• Ensure adherence to HSE, quality, environmental permit conditions, and contractual obligations.
• Oversee readiness for testing, commissioning, performance testing, and transition to O&M.
• Resolve major technical, contractual, and execution challenges escalated from the field.

Commercial, Financial & Contract Management

• Oversee estimation in early project stages
• Defend the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP)
• Prepare phase 2 budget
• Maintain full accountability for project budget, cost control, forecasting, and cash flow.
• Manage EPC/design‑build contracts, change management, claims strategy, and dispute resolution.
• Coordinate closely with finance, legal, insurance, and risk management teams.

Regulatory, Environmental & Stakeholder Management

• Oversee compliance with Texas, federal, and local permitting and environmental regulations, including marine and coastal requirements.
• Interface with regulatory agencies, environmental stakeholders, and public entities.
• Ensure environmental commitments are embedded in construction and operations planning.

Team Leadership & Development

• Build, lead, and mentor a high‑performing project leadership team including:

• Engineering and Construction Managers
• Commercial and Controls Leads
• HSE and Quality Manager
• Drive a strong safety, collaboration, and accountability culture.
• Ensure alignment between project, corporate, and regional teams.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Chemical, or related discipline).

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or Business Administration preferred.

• Proven experience in large‑scale water or infrastructure projects as Project Director or Project Manager on major desalination or advanced water treatment facilities.

• Strong background in marine intake/outfall systems, coastal construction, and permitting environments.

• Experience with Estimation, EPC, design‑build, or P3 delivery models.

• Demonstrated success managing projects >$500M is strongly preferred.

Skills

• Executive‑level leadership and decision‑making

• Partners, Client and stakeholder relationship management

• Risk, change, and claims management

• Financial acumen and cost control

• Strong understanding of estimation of Large Desalination projects full EPCs

• Strong understanding of desalination technologies and plant operations

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills

ACCIONA has been given the Top Employer 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025 certification in US, as well as the Top Employers North America 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025 seal, which certifies the company's commitment to excellence in human resources management and those who focus on putting their people first through their exceptional HR policies. As a company that values diversity as a source of talent, we work to foster an inclusive environment that promotes respect, belonging and engagement so that all people can participate on an equal opportunity basis. We invite everyone to apply regardless of origin, circumstances, background or condition.