Job Details

Project Development Manager

Clayton Services is searching for a Project Development Manager to join a thriving company in Houston, Texas. The Project Development Manager will be responsible for leading projects in the Front-End Loading (FEL) stagesfrom Concept Selection through Pre-FEEDdeveloping and justifying projects prior to procurement, FEED, and Final Investment Decision (FID). This role requires a balance of strategic planning, commercial analysis, and technical project definition, ensuring projects are positioned for long-term success.

Job Type: Direct Hire Pay Rate: $135,000 - $175,000/year Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401(k), PTO, stock options, and more.

Project Development Manager Responsibilities:

• Provide transparent progress reporting and actionable recommendations to leadership.
• Engage with clients, vendors, and external partners to gather technical and commercial inputs.
• Define subcontractor requirements for reporting, scheduling, cost, and risk deliverables.
• Facilitate workshops, reviews, and decision gates to drive project advancement.
• Drive project evaluation, concept selection, and alignment with company strategy.
• Support stage-gate readiness and provide decision frameworks.
• Develop early project roadmaps, including RACI matrices to clarify roles and responsibilities.
• Build organization plans, governance deliverables, and stage-gate documentation.
• Establish preliminary long-lead equipment lists and early supply chain visibility.
• Lead preparation of Project Charters, Business Cases, and Project Objectives & Strategy (POS).
• Define contracting strategies for future FEED and execution phases.
• Create and maintain vendor lists to support long-lead equipment planning and procurement.
• Set up scope tracking, risk registers, and mitigation strategies.
• Lead cross-functional teams across technical, commercial, and operational functions.
• Develop early cost estimates (Class 4/5) and Level 1 schedules to guide project progression.
• Interface with senior leadership and marketing to identify and prioritize opportunities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Project Development Manager Skills and Abilities:

• Collaborative leadership across technical and business functions.
• Strong project leadership and self-management capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including executive-level reporting.
• Proactive risk identification and disciplined project control.
• Systems thinking and structured project development skills.
• Strong analytical rigor and business acumen.
• Tenacity and resilience in driving projects through ambiguity.

Project Development Manager Education and Experience:

• 8+ years of experience in capital project development (energy, chemicals, industrial gas, or related).
• Experience with project justification, business case development, and governance processes.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (preferred), Business, Project Management, or related field.
• Proven knowledge of FEL methodologies, early-phase estimating, and scheduling.
• Experience in syngas, hydrogen, or carbon capture projects is preferred.
• Familiarity with stage-gate processes and investment approval frameworks is preferred.
• Background in contracting strategy, subcontractor management, and risk planning is preferred.
• Exposure to cost modeling, scenario analysis, and execution strategy definition is preferred.

Project Development Manager - Immediate need. Apply today!