Project Director

Vicinity Energy is North America’s largest provider of district energy solutions, offering low carbon energy to most of the iconic buildings you see in the skylines of Boston, Cambridge, Philadelphia, Baltimore and many other cities in the US. As a member of the communities we serve, all of us at Vicinity understand the critical role we play in reducing the impacts of climate change and being a leader in decarbonization. We are committed to net zero and eliminating our reliance on fossil fuels, but we need the best and the brightest minds on our team to help us reach our goal, not only for us as a company, but for our customers, our communities, and our planet.

Summary

Vicinity Energy is seeking a Project Director to lead capital projects in the district energy sector, overseeing end-to-end project execution. This full-time, hybrid, exempt position is based in Boston, MA, and reports to the Vice President of Capital Projects.

Responsibilities

• Project Management: Lead capital projects in industrial energy plants (thermal, power, water treatment) and underground utility work (chilled water, steam, condensate return).
• Team Leadership: Mentor and lead multidisciplinary teams, ensuring strong collaboration with engineers, contractors, and municipal partners.
• Safety & Risk Management: Prioritize safety across all projects, proactively identifying and mitigating project risks.
• Permitting & Compliance: Work with state and local agencies to obtain necessary permits and ensure compliance.
• Budgeting & Cost Control: Develop and manage budgets, estimates, and track expenses with consistent reporting.
• Scheduling: Create and manage project schedules using MS Project to meet project milestones.
• Contracts & Negotiation: Work with engineering to negotiate contracts under various delivery models, including EPC.
• Operations Coordination: Align construction with plant operations for seamless plant integration.
• Stakeholder Management: Engage with contractors, municipalities, and internal teams for thorough project reviews, permitting, and design processes.
• Field Leadership: Provide on-site leadership as necessary, coordinating teams and ensuring compliance with project requirements.
• Cost Estimation & Invoicing: Prepare cost projections, track invoices, and ensure project cost alignment.
• Legal & Compliance: Work with Legal to draft agreements, licenses, and easements, ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Troubleshooting: Identify and resolve project challenges to maintain continuity and efficiency.
• Consultant Management: Oversee external consultants for project support, including task orders and procurement as required.
• Commissioning: Lead the commissioning and start-up of new equipment.
• Project Coordination: Manage multiple projects, coordinating among external parties and internal stakeholders.
• Organization: Organize large capital project meetings, technical reviews, and stakeholder sessions.
• Field Supervision: Oversee resident engineers and inspectors, ensuring third-party compliance.
• Effective Communication: Work independently while coordinating with stakeholders, prioritizing tasks, and preparing presentations.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering or Construction Management required
• Ability to travel up to 25%
• Minimum of ten years’ experience managing and leading projects, specializing in heavy industrial construction
• PMP or similar project management certification preferred.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to address and resolve project issues efficiently.

Knowledge of district energy systems or utility infrastructure a plus.

Physical Requirements 

• Standing, sitting, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, walking on uneven surfaces, and grating, working from elevated platforms, scaffolding or ladders.

• Must submit to a company provided physical and drug screening.
• Exposed to temperature extremes, high noise level areas, high pressure steam lines, rotating equipment, and dusty/dirty environment.
• Required to wear PPE such as hard hat, safety glasses, safety shoes, hearing protection.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICY STATEMENT Vicinity North America is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of the Company to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.