Senior Project Manager
Salary
$113,776.00 - $153,254.40 Annually
Location
Orange County
Job Type
Full-Time Regular
Job Number
1937SM-1026-280 (O)
Department
John Wayne Airport
Opening Date
10/28/2026
Closing Date
11/11/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
CAREER DESCRIPTION
SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER
Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidates qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
This recruitment will establish an open eligible list that will be used to fill current and future Senior Procurement Buyer positions. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.
DEADLINE TO APPLY
This recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will close on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at 11:59 pm (PST). Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.
JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT
With consistently Award Winning guest experience, John Wayne Airport (JWA) has been a major cornerstone of Orange County for more than 100 years. Located in beautiful Southern California, we currently serve approximately 11.7 million annual passengers. We strive to provide a superior guest experience to ensure travel is convenient and stress-free. The County of Orange owns and operates the airport, and the service area includes more than three million people within 34 cities and unincorporated areas of Orange County and beyond.
As a medium-hub airport, we offer commercial flights to more than 40 nonstop destinations in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Eleven commercial airlines and two air cargo airlines fly out of the Airport. It is home to nearly 500 general aviation (private, non-commercial) aircraft, representing 60% of total operations, and includes two full-service fixed base operators and one limited-use general aviation facility.
To learn more about working at John Wayne Airport, click here.
To learn more about the County of Orange, click here.
THE DIVISION
The Planning and Development Division oversees and delivers the airports $700 million Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which includes airside, landside, and terminal renovations, as well as major utility projects and long-term infrastructure planning. The Division is also a key partner in the implementation of the General Aviation Improvement Program and the Terminal Tenant Concession Redevelopment Program. This team has 28 professionals in a variety of roles. This Division's functional areas include engineering, airport land use planning, environmental compliance, and capital project delivery.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Senior Project Manager is a key technical leader responsible for managing the planning, design, construction, and delivery of complex airport capital improvement and facilities-alteration projects. Operating within an active airport environment, this role ensures projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to airport operations, tenants, and the traveling public.
The Senior Project Manager serves as an owner's representative and project delivery professional - coordinating design consultants, contractors, internal experts across multiple disciplines, regulatory agencies, and utility providers. The role administers public works contracts, oversees technical development, manages project controls, conducts constructability reviews, and leads project execution from conceptual scoping through commissioning and close-out.
This position is best suited for an experienced project manager capable of navigating operational constraints, regulatory requirements, and stakeholder expectations while delivering excellence in scope, schedule, budget, quality, and safety.
Key Responsibilities:
Project Delivery & Technical Oversight
Lead and manage the full lifecycle of capital improvement projects - including scope definition, pre-design planning, design development, technical review, bidding, construction oversight, commissioning, and close-out
Develop scopes, schedules, budgets, technical specifications, logistics plans, and resource allocations for vertical and horizontal infrastructure projects
Oversee preparation of construction documents, design submittals, cost estimates, technical specifications, and permitting requirements
Conduct constructability analyses, review design packages, and coordinate engineering disciplines to resolve conflicts prior to construction
Administer and manage public works contracts, including A/E agreements, construction contracts, job order contracts, and alternative delivery methods (CMAR, DB, Progressive DB)
Construction Execution & Compliance
Oversee contractors, inspectors, consultants, and construction management teams to ensure adherence to contract requirements, safety programs, building codes, and airport security protocols
Review and negotiate change orders, support guaranteed maximum price development, evaluate claims, and maintain strict compliance with public-sector contracting laws
Perform site inspections and ensure work conforms to specifications, plans, regulatory requirements, and safe construction practices
Stakeholder Coordination
Maintain effective communication with internal airport divisions (operations, maintenance, finance, IT, security, environmental), external agencies, cities, utility providers, regulatory bodies, contractors, and consultants
Serve as a technical representative in meetings with contractors, consultants, tenants, community groups, and leadership
Coordinate logistics within an active airport environment to minimize impacts on passengers, tenants, and critical airport operations
Project Controls & Risk Management
Monitor and report on project performance, cost/schedule status, technical risks, and milestone achievements
Identify issues early, recommend corrective actions, and guide project teams through problem resolution
Ensure project documentation, communication, and reporting meet division standards and regulatory requirements
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate will demonstrate at least seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience delivering complex capital projects, preferably within operating, secured, or campus-scale environments. Airport experience is beneficial but not required.
A bachelor's degree in architecture, engineering, construction management, or a related field is preferred; a master's degree is desirable. Professional licensure (PE or Architect), PMP, or CCM certification is valued.
In addition, the ideal candidate will also have extensive experience in the following core competencies:
Technical Experience | Technical Knowledge
Extensive experience in public works, engineering, construction, architecture, business, project management, and capital project/contract administration
Proven ability to independently plan, administer, review, and manage the design and construction of capital projects while applying industry-standard project management practices, including budgeting, scheduling, coordination, and monitoring
Strong leadership and management skills with experience guiding multidisciplinary teams of construction managers, engineers, project managers, and inspectors
Ability to communicate complex technical information, analyses, and recommendations in a clear and understandable manner for executive audiences
Comprehensive knowledge of architectural and engineering design, construction practices across multiple disciplines, project management software, and applicable California, federal, state, and local building, contracting, safety, and regulatory requirements
Leadership Skills
Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, and resources while providing recommendations to ensure successful project delivery
Lead project teams and coordinate stakeholders from project conception through completion, aligning efforts with organizational goals and project strategies
Support executive management in the development of departmental objectives and provide leadership to internal and contracted staff to achieve business and project outcomes
Build strong customer relationships by understanding and addressing needs within policy guidelines while maintaining a focus on service excellence
Make ethical, well-informed business decisions using sound judgment, including in situations involving limited, complex, or conflicting information, while promoting safety compliance and safe work practices
Analysis and Problem Solving
Interpret, enforce, and ensure compliance with project plans, specifications, schedules, contracts, and related requirements
Identify, anticipate, and address issues affecting project scope, budget, schedule, and technical specifications, recommending and implementing necessary changes
Perform quantity calculations, cost estimates, and other analyses required to support project planning and execution
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal staff, external stakeholders, contractors, agencies, and regulatory partners
Research, evaluate, and apply technical data, policies, and industry standards to solve complex problems and provide accurate recommendations to management
Planning and Organization
Plan, organize, and prioritize work effectively to ensure assignments and project deliverables remain on schedule
Consistently complete assignments on time while adhering to budgetary and policy requirements
Successfully manage multiple projects simultaneously while balancing competing demands and deadlines
Adapt to changing priorities and business needs while maintaining focus on critical objectives and deliverables
Communication Skills | Oral & Written
Experience presenting proposals, progress reports, recommendations, and project updates both orally and in writing to executive leadership, governing boards, contractors, and external stakeholders
Demonstrated political acumen and professionalism when engaging with diverse internal and external stakeholders, including airport staff, tenants, community groups, public agencies, and elected officials
Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical information into clear, concise, and actionable messaging
Proven ability to build relationships and communicate effectively with individuals and groups representing diverse interests, including contractors, department representatives, and business partners
Experience leading negotiations and managing competitive procurement and bidding processes for complex contracts and project initiatives
Minimum Qualifications
Please click here for details on the Senior Project Manager classification, including the physical, mental, environmental, and working conditions.
LICENSE REQUIRED
The successful candidate must obtain, possess, and maintain the following licenses:
AIRPORT ACCESS REQUIREMENTS
Employees must clear a background check, which includes a Criminal History Records Check (CHRC), Transportation Security Administration (TSA) check, and Security Threat Assessment (STA) check. Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Airport Access Badge with an Airport Driving Endorsement within ten (10) days of employment. Airport Access Badge must be maintained and renewed every year.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum and/or desirable qualifications. After screening, applicants who meet the minimum and/or desirable qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the process.
Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)
Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.
Structured Oral Interview (SOI) | Exam (Weighted 100%)
The Structured Oral Interview is a timed assessment. Applicants will provide answers to job-related questions, which will be rated by a panel of subject matter experts using standardized evaluation criteria. Only the most qualified candidates will move forward to the next step in the recruitment process or will be placed on the eligible list.
Eligible List | Score Groups
Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.
Based on the Departments needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.
Veterans Employment Preference
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
The County of Orange is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should notify the recruiter listed on the job posting as soon as possible. Documentation supporting the accommodation request may be required.
EMAIL NOTIFICATION
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.
NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply. Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.
For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Michelle Bocicor at mbocicor@ocair.com or (949) 252-5174.
EEO INFORMATION
Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
Please note that Extra Help employees are not eligible for the benefits listed.
Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information
01
By date of appointment, a valid California drivers license, Class C or higher, is required for this position and must be maintained throughout employment. Do you currently possess or have the ability to obtain a valid California Drivers License?
02
Please select the number of years of experience you have delivering complex capital projects within operating, secured, or campus-scale environments. Please ensure your application reflects and supports this experience.
03
Please select the number of years of experience you have in complex airport project management. Please ensure your application reflects and supports this experience.
04
From the following options, please select any license, certificate, or credentials that you possess:
05
Please select all the project areas listed below that you have experience in:
06
Briefly describe the largest public works project you have completed in the last 5 years. Include your role in the project and dollar value of the project in your response. If you have no experience, please write N/A. Please ensure your application reflects and supports this experience. Responses such as "see resume" or "see application" will not be accepted.
Required Question
Employer County of Orange
Address 400 W CIVIC CENTER DRIVE
Santa Ana, California, 92701
Phone 714-834-2555
Website https://hrs.oc.gov
| Location | Santa Ana, CA |
| Salary | $113,776–$153,254.40 Per Year |
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