Project Manager, Program ​/ Project Manager, Operations Manager

Job Title:

Project Manager - Electrical Utility Construction

Job Description

This role leads the planning, coordination, and execution of electrical utility construction projects, with a focus on transmission and substation work. The Project Manager serves as the single point of accountability from pre-planning through project closeout, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in full alignment with design and customer expectations.

Responsibilities

+ Serve as the single point of management for assigned electrical utility construction projects from pre-planning through total construction administration and closeout.

+ Coordinate and direct all aspects of construction activities for transmission and substation projects in a project management capacity.

+ Develop, implement, and refine processes, procedures, and systems to deliver projects on schedule and within budget.

+ Collaborate closely with the project team to ensure projects are constructed in accordance with design specifications, budget constraints, and schedule requirements.

+ Work directly with clients/owners and onsite construction crews to ensure project safety, quality, schedule, and key milestones are consistently met.

+ Prepare and quote change orders based on drawing changes, RFIs, and customer requests, ensuring accurate scope and cost impacts.

+ Report on and forecast project profitability while actively managing project budgets and financial performance.

+ Coordinate and maintain effective communication with client/owner representatives, subcontractors, and union members to support smooth project execution.

+ Partner with field leadership to ensure projects have adequate labor, equipment, and other resources to maintain budget, schedule, and safety expectations.

+ Monitor and manage the full project lifecycle, including scope, budget, schedule, and risk, and implement corrective actions as needed.

+ Conduct or participate in field visits across the greater Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana regions to support active projects and site needs.

+ Travel regionally, including occasional overnight stays, to oversee project activities and maintain strong client and field relationships.

Essential Skills

+ Minimum 1+ years of experience working in a project management capacity on substation or transmission projects.

+ Overall 3+ years of experience as a Project Manager, including experience independently running projects from start to finish.

+ Hands-on project management experience in utility construction, specifically supporting transmission and substation (T&S) projects.

+ Experience directly supporting a utility on the contracting side (for example, major electric utilities).

+ Background in construction or construction management with exposure to substation construction, transmission repair, and substation equipment.

+ Proven ability to coordinate utilities and manage multiple stakeholders on complex construction projects.

+ Demonstrated experience managing the full project lifecycle, including monitoring and controlling scope, budget, and schedule.

+ Strong communication skills with the ability to effectively coordinate and manage project teams, contractors, clients, and stakeholders.

+ Ability to work on site when needed, including field visits to project locations.

+ Capability to forecast and report on project profitability while managing project budgets.

+ Commitment to maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and schedule adherence on all projects.

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

+ Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, business administration, or a related field, or equivalent relevant industry experience.

+ PMP (Project Management Professional) certification is a plus.

+ Experience working on transmission and substation projects for major electric utilities.

+ Familiarity with change order development, including interpreting drawing changes, RFIs, and customer requests.

+ Ability to contribute to the development and improvement of project delivery processes, procedures, and systems.

+ Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in documentation, reporting, and project controls.

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