Program Manager - Mine Closure

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead the execution of large, multi-year environmental mine closure and reclamation programs, the largest of which is at the Questa Mine in northern New Mexico. This individual will be responsible for the safe, profitable, and technically successful delivery of a complex portfolio of environmental remediation, water management, earthworks, reclamation, support site services, and long-term stewardship projects.

The Program Manager will serve as the primary interface with the client, subcontractors, internal technical teams and potentially regulatory agencies; while leading multidisciplinary project managers, engineers, scientists, construction managers, and field personnel.

This role requires a strong blend of strategic leadership, technical understanding, commercial acumen, and exceptional stakeholder management capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership

• Lead overall execution of a multi-million-dollar environmental mine closure program.
• Develop and execute annual and multi-year program delivery strategies.
• Ensure safe, predictable, and profitable delivery across multiple concurrent projects.
• Establish program governance, reporting, risk management, and performance metrics.
• Identify, engage and manage a variety of Subcontractors
• Drive a culture focused on safety, quality, environmental stewardship, and operational excellence, both with AECOM staff and subcontractors.

Client Relationship Management

• Serve as the senior day-to-day representative to the client.
• Build trusted executive-level relationships.
• Facilitate program reviews and executive steering committee meetings.
• Identify opportunities to improve project outcomes and expand services.
• Manage client expectations through transparent communication and proactive issue resolution.

Project Delivery

Provide leadership across projects including:

• Construction management
• Environmental compliance
• Sustain Capital Maintenance work

Ensure projects are delivered to achieve annual scope and outcome commitments:

• Safely
• On schedule
• Within budget
• In accordance with permit requirements
• To company quality standards

Commercial Management

• Manage overall program financial performance.
• Oversee annual forecasts and operating plan developments.
• Monitor revenue, margin, backlog, and utilization.
• Lead change order negotiations.
• Review subcontractor performance and commercial risk.
• Support contract negotiations and claims management.
• Work with leadership on achieving contract key performance indicators.
• Identify opportunities for operational efficiencies and cost savings.

Leadership

• Lead a multidisciplinary team of:
  • Project Managers
  • Engineers
  • Geologists
  • Environmental Scientists
  • Construction Managers
  • Field Technicians
  • Craft Labor
  • Subcontractors
• Mentor future project leaders.
• Foster collaboration across technical disciplines.
• Drive accountability and high performance.

Health, Safety & Quality

Champion a strong safety culture by:

• Leading visible safety initiatives
• Conducting regular field visits
• Supporting incident reporting and investigations
• Ensuring compliance with:
  • OSHA
  • Client safety requirements
  • Company HSE standards

Promote continuous improvement in quality management and operational excellence.

Potential Regulatory & Stakeholder Coordination

Coordinate with:

• Federal agencies
• State regulators
• Tribal governments (where applicable)
• Local communities
• Landowners
• Environmental organizations

Support permitting, compliance reporting, inspections, and regulatory negotiations.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Geology, Environmental Science, Construction Management, or related discipline.
• 15+ years of progressive experience delivering environmental remediation, mine closure, or heavy civil infrastructure projects.
• 7+ years leading large multidisciplinary project teams.
• Demonstrated experience managing programs exceeding $25 million annually.
• Strong understanding of:
  • Mine closure
  • Reclamation
  • Water treatment
  • Earthworks/Civil Projects
  • Environmental permitting
• Experience managing complex EPCM or environmental consulting projects.
• Strong commercial and financial management skills.
• Excellent client relationship and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE)
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• MSHA certifications
• Experience with CERCLA, RCRA, NEPA, CWA, and NPDES permitting
• Experience working on legacy mining sites
• Experience with consent decrees and long-term environmental liabilities
• Master's degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, or Business Administration is a plus.

Desired Experience

Experience leading programs involving:

• Capital projects
• Mine reclamation
• Acid rock drainage mitigation
• Tailings management
• Water treatment operations
• Large earthworks construction
• Geotechnical stabilization
• Stream restoration
• Habitat restoration
• Environmental monitoring
• Long-term stewardship

Experience working in mountainous terrain and remote field environments is highly desirable.

Critical Competencies

• Executive leadership
• Program management
• Strategic planning
• Commercial acumen
• Client relationship management
• Contract management
• Risk management
• Negotiation
• Team development
• Decision making
• Conflict resolution
• Financial management
• Communication and influencing
• Change management

Additional Information

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.