The Project Manager is responsible for the full execution of electrical and instrumentation projects, managing scope, budget, schedule, and safety from pre-construction to closeout. They lead self-perform and subcontracted work while serving as the primary point of contact for clients and project stakeholders.
Position Summary
The Project Manager II - Electrical (CM5) is responsible for the full execution of electrical and instrumentation projects from pre-construction through testing, energization, startup, and closeout. This role carries complete accountability for scope, budget, schedule, labor performance, procurement, quality, safety, and client satisfaction. The Electrical Project Manager leads self-perform and subcontracted work, coordinates critical interfaces with other disciplines and facility operations, and serves as the primary point of contact for clients and project stakeholders.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Manage electrical and instrumentation projects from estimate turnover and pre-construction planning through final closeout
- Develop and control project budgets, cost forecasts, schedules, manpower plans, cash-flow expectations, and execution strategies
- Establish a complete understanding of the contract, electrical drawings, one-line diagrams, specifications, control documents, sequence requirements, and scope boundaries
- Plan and manage electrical distribution, transformers, switchgear, MCCs, generators, raceway, ductbanks, cable tray, wire and cable, grounding, lighting, heat trace, communications, instrumentation, controls, and related work as applicable
- Coordinate engineering, submittals, RFIs, design changes, constructability reviews, and technical decisions with clients, engineers, vendors, field leadership, and other trades
- Develop procurement strategies and manage long-lead electrical equipment, vendor data, fabrication, inspections, delivery, storage, and release to the field
- Direct self-perform labor planning with electrical superintendents and foremen; monitor earned hours, crew productivity, installed quantities, and corrective actions
- Manage subcontractors and specialty vendors, including controls, communications, testing, temporary power, and other assigned scopes
- Lead change management by identifying scope changes, preserving notice rights, developing pricing and schedule impacts, negotiating resolution, and maintaining complete documentation
- Coordinate outages, tie-ins, temporary power, lockout/tagout boundaries, energized work restrictions, owner operations, and safe sequencing in active facilities
- Maintain project controls and reporting for commitments, actual costs, cost-to-complete, billings, collections, schedule performance, risks, and opportunities
- Lead owner, subcontractor, vendor, and internal project meetings; communicate decisions, action items, and accountability clearly
- Manage electrical quality requirements, inspection and test plans, installation verification, nonconformance resolution, redlines, and turnover documentation
- Plan and coordinate pre-energization inspections, megger and continuity testing, equipment startup, protective device testing, loop checks, controls integration, commissioning, and owner training as required
- Prepare and present project status, financial forecasts, schedule updates, risk items, and recovery plans to senior management
- Lead and develop project engineers, coordinators, and other CM1-CM4 team members assigned to the project
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related field preferred; equivalent electrical trade and project management experience will be considered
- Six to ten years of progressive construction project management experience, including significant responsibility for electrical or E&I projects
- Proven ability to independently manage electrical projects or major electrical scopes from pre-construction through commissioning and closeout
- Strong knowledge of electrical construction means and methods, labor productivity, material and equipment procurement, project controls, and contract administration
- Ability to interpret electrical drawings, one-lines, specifications, control documents, schedules, contracts, and applicable code requirements
- Working knowledge of NFPA 70, NFPA 70E, OSHA requirements, and common electrical testing and commissioning practices
- Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, planning, and problem-solving skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and construction management, PDF markup, scheduling, and cost-control software
Required Certifications and Training
- OSHA 30-hour Construction Safety certification required or ability to obtain within a company-established period
- Company-specific project management, electrical safety, contract administration, and leadership training
- Electrical apprenticeship, journeyman electrician, master electrician, or equivalent technical training preferred
- Project management certification (PMP or equivalent) beneficial but not required
Tools & Technology
- Construction management software for budgeting, commitments, forecasting, document control, change management, and reporting
- Scheduling software such as Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project
- Bluebeam Revu or equivalent PDF review and markup software
- Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and related productivity tools
- Company-provided laptop, tablet, and mobile devices for office and field coordination
Experience
- Experience with industrial electrical, water and wastewater, manufacturing, power, process, or active-facility construction preferred
- Experience managing self-perform electrical labor, major equipment procurement, testing, energization, controls integration, and commissioning
- Experience managing projects with complex owner, engineer, vendor, subcontractor, and multi-discipline interfaces
Physical Requirements
- Combination of office work and regular presence at active construction sites
- Ability to safely access and navigate active construction sites, including ladders, stairs, uneven terrain, and industrial facilities
- Must wear required PPE while on-site
Work Environment
- Office environment combined with frequent visits to industrial, water and wastewater, manufacturing, power, and related construction sites
- Exposure to active construction operations, energized or operating facilities, weather, noise, and discipline-specific hazards during site visits
- Work hours are driven by project requirements and may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, shutdowns, or travel
Supervision
- Reports to the VP of Operations
- Provides direct leadership and oversight to CM1-CM4 project team members assigned to the project
- Coordinates closely with superintendents, foremen, safety, quality, estimating, procurement, accounting, and document controls personnel
Safety Expectations
- Enforce all company, client, and regulatory safety requirements without exception
- Lead by example in planning, hazard recognition, stop-work responsibility, and field accountability
- Ensure project plans, schedules, budgets, and procurement decisions provide the resources required for safe execution
- Participate in safety audits, site walks, pre-task planning, and incident reviews as required
Career Progression
- Successful performance may lead to Senior Project Manager (CM6) or Project Executive / Program Manager (CM7), with expanded responsibility for multiple projects, teams, and strategic client relationships