Project Development Manager

Houston-based leader driving multi-project FEL (Concept→Pre-FEED), business cases/estimates and risk controls, contracting strategy, and cross-functional/vendor alignment; 8+ years in capital projects.

Role Overview

As a Project Manager at HYCO1, you will lead multiple projects in the Front-End Loading (FEL) stages — from Concept Selection through Pre-FEED — with a focus on developing and justifying projects prior to procurement, FEED, and Final Investment Decision (FID). You will be responsible for advancing projects by preparing business cases, establishing project roadmap, and building the structure that enables future success.

This role requires a balance of strategic planning, commercial analysis, and early technical project definition, ensuring projects are positioned for long-term success while supporting HYCO1’s mission to turn carbon emissions into valuable products.

Location: Houston, TX
Department: Project Management
Employment Type: Full-Time
Reports To: VP, Project Management
Work Type: In Office
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Key Responsibilities

Project Development & Justification

  • Lead preparation of Project Charters, Business Cases, and Project Objectives & Strategy (POS).
  • Drive project evaluation, concept selection, and alignment with HYCO1’s strategy.
  • Develop early project roadmaps, including RACI matrices to clarify roles and responsibilities.
  • Establish preliminary long-lead equipment lists and early supply chain visibility.
  • Build early organization plans, governance deliverables, and stage-gate documentation.

Planning & Controls

  • Develop early estimates (Class 4/5) and Level 1 schedules to guide project progression.
  • Identify and define baseline subcontractor requirements for reporting, schedule, cost, risk, and 30/60/90-day deliverables.
  • Set up scope tracking, risk registers, and mitigation strategies.
  • Support stage-gate readiness and provide clear decision frameworks.
  • Create and maintain early vendor lists aligned with project procurement strategies, ensuring visibility of qualified suppliers to support long-lead equipment planning and contracting needs.

Strategy & Risk Management

  • Define and document contracting strategies for future FEED and execution phases.
  • Manage uncertainties and ensure risk mitigations are built into estimates, schedules, and execution strategies.
  • Provide transparent progress reporting and actionable recommendations to leadership.

Stakeholder Engagement

  • Interface with HYCO1’s marketing team and senior leadership to identify, assess, and prioritize new project opportunities that align with company strategy and market needs.
  • Engage with potential clients and external partners to gather technical, commercial, and market information required to support project screening, evaluation, and business justification.
  • Build and lead cross-functional teams across technical, commercial, and operations.
  • Partner with vendors, advisors, and stakeholders to align strategies and d eliverables.
  • Facilitate workshops, reviews, and project decision gates to drive progress.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (highly preferred), or in Business, Project Management, or related discipline.
  • 8+ years’ experience in capital project development (energy, chemicals, industrial gas, or related).
  • Proven knowledge of FEL methodologies, early-phase estimating, and scheduling.
  • Experience with project justification, business case development, and governance.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication, including executive-level reporting.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in syngas, hydrogen, or carbon capture projects.
  • Familiarity with stage-gate processes and investment approval frameworks.
  • Background in contracting strategy, subcontractor management, and risk planning.
  • Exposure to cost modeling, scenario analysis, and early execution strategy definition.

Core Competencies

  • Self-managing: able to make decisions independently and drive deliverables without close supervision.
  • Tenacity and resilience in progressing projects while navigating ambiguity.
  • Systems thinking & structured project development.
  • Collaborative leadership across all work streams.
  • Analytical rigor and strong business acumen.
  • Proactive risk identification and disciplined project control.

Travel & Work Environment

  • Based in Houston with occasional travel to partner offices, vendor facilities, and project sites.
  • On-site at HYCO1’s Houston office, with future flexibility for hybrid work as projects advance.

Location Requirement

Applicants must currently reside in the Houston, TX area and be within reasonable driving distance of George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) area. This is an on-site position; remote work is not available. Relocation assistance is not provided.

Work Authorization

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. HYCO1 does not provide sponsorship.

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