Senior Project Manager

Detailed Job Description

JOIN AN ORGANIZATION RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF BC’S TOP EMPLOYERS

Join an organization that plays a critical role in Canada’s economy. At the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, we focus on enabling Canada’s trade by being reliable and innovative, while protecting the environment.

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is responsible for the stewardship of the Port of Vancouver, Canada’s largest and most diversified port. Our mandate as a Canada Port Authority, as set out by the Canada Marine Act, is to enable Canada’s trade objectives, ensuring goods are moved safely and responsibly through the Port of Vancouver. That means providing infrastructure and ensuring the safe and efficient movement of marine traffic and cargo within the port. It also means we carry out reviews of proposed activities and developments on federal port lands and waters to determine whether a project can go ahead without impacts to the environment and community that cannot be mitigated.

We are committed to diversity, inclusion, and sustainability. We believe in creating a workplace that reflects the richness of our community and empowers all employees to reach their full potential.

The Senior Project Manager oversees the delivery of multiple concurrent complex projects through all phases of the project lifecycle, tailored to the specific needs, team structure, and context of each project. By balancing tactical execution with strategic oversight, this role leads cross-functional teams, coordinates resources, and ensures effective stakeholder communication to deliver strategic and business improvement projects on time, within scope, and aligned with organizational goals. Accountable for all aspects of project planning, risk management, and project tracking, and compliance, the Senior Project Manager drives successful outcomes by proactively identifying potential challenges, resolving issues, and fostering continuous improvement in project delivery. This role primarily focuses on large complex projects but may also guide other project management colleagues on the delivery of smaller to medium-scale projects.

What You Do

Working under the matrix organizational model and working closely with the project management team, these accountabilities may vary depending on the specific project requirements.

Planning & Scope Definition

• Develop workstream or project plans, ensuring that all activities are identified, are appropriately organized to deliver project objectives, and comply with the organization's project management framework
• Lead the delivery of meetings, workshops, and other activities to support the specification and agreement of project deliverables
• Coordinate the identification and elicitation of requirements; conduct analysis of those requirements for completion and alignment; document and develop requirements throughout the life of the project; and coordinate the verification of the end deliverable
  
  
  

Resource Management

• Lead the deployment of project resources, proactively managing project costs, providing forecasts, and presenting variances with narrative at appropriate review points to ensure effective utilization
• Develop and administer project budgets and expenses such as tracking costs, identifying deviations, and support budget forecasting and financial reporting
• Establish, allocate, and monitor work schedules to project team members in order to achieve expectations while following established timelines
  
  
  

Stakeholder Engagement

• Plan and deliver stakeholder engagement activities to develop effective working relationships for projects and to ensure that stakeholder needs and concerns are identified and met
• Lead a small project team; communicate the necessary outcomes and the direction required to achieve them; coordinate team actions on project tasks; request additional team member support when needed; and identify areas of improvement to build the capability of the team through training, coaching, and mentoring
  
  
  

Procurement & Contract Management

• Lead the procurement process for assigned projects by developing and issuing RFPs to solicit competitive bids from vendors, ensuring alignment with project requirements and organizational standards
• Track vendor and contract performance, deliverables, and timelines post-award, proactively managing any issues that may impact project success
  
  
  

Risk Management

• Identify and evaluate risks, issues, dependencies, and constraints associated with the project, escalating matters where appropriate. Where necessary, develop, agree on, and implement solutions to overcome these concerns
  
  
  

Monitoring & Reporting

• Draft project review reports and presentations, including key information, commentary, and recommendations, to support the review process and enable stakeholders to evaluate progress and agree on change
• Prepare wide variety of routine and complex documents using a variety of applications for technology devices, such as standard office software. Responsible for gathering and summarizing data for reports
  
  
  

Quality Control

• Conduct project close out and hand over elements. Draft elements of product documentation and user training to support handover to business as usual. Contribute to post-project reviews and identification of lessons learned
• Conduct assurance reviews within the project, facilitate the delivery of assurance reviews by independent third parties, and take appropriate action to resolve any issues identified, so that senior stakeholders have confidence that the project can deliver according to time, budget, and quality
  
  
  

What You Bring

• A bachelor’s degree in business administration or in an acceptable discipline plus a minimum of five (5) years of project delivery experience delivering multi-phased complex projects in cross functional teams in a corporate environment
• Completion of a relevant project management certification such as PMP, PgMP, Agile certifications (e.g., PSM, CSM, PMI-ACP)
• Proficiency in commonly used project and portfolio management tools such as Smartsheet, MS Project Online, Primavera P6
• Prior experience managing projects across diverse disciplines and cross departmental initiatives preferred
  
  
  

What We Offer

We offer a robust total rewards package including:

• Market-competitive base salaries and variable incentive plan
• Generous and inclusive benefits offering including retirement benefits plan
• Earned time off program
• Paid vacation and personal care leave
• Learning, development, and advancement opportunities
• Onsite gym with towel service in a national landmark in the heart of Vancouver’s waterfront
• Friendly, unique, and respectful workplace
  
  
  

Location: Vancouver, Canada

Job type: Bargaining Unit, Full-Time, Permanent, Hybrid

Working Environment

Normal office conditions.

The incumbent must obtain and maintain a valid Marine Transportation Security Clearance when specific projects require this position to access restricted areas/information as defined by the Marine Transportation Security Regulations.

This is Canadian-based employment, and all employees are expected to maintain legal eligibility to work in Canada. Applicants advancing in the hiring process may be subject to technical assignments, psychometric assessments, and/or background checks, including but not limited to criminal record, credit, and/or reference checks.

At the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, we are dedicated to employment equity and a workplace reflective of the diversity of our port community. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates including women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and members of visible minorities. Reasonable accommodation can be provided in the selection process and while working with the port authority. If you require assistance with applying to our openings or are seeking accommodations to apply in an alternative format, please contact us at [email protected]. We are committed to supporting your needs and will do our best to provide the necessary assistance.

We recognize and acknowledge that we are located on the traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. To learn more about our indigenous relations and commitment to reconciliation, please visit our website.