Owner’s Representative Project Manager, Substations

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

The Owner's Representative Project Manager (PM) manages substation projects for a utility customer from scope development through energization and closeout. The PM leads procurement of engineering and construction services, including preparing requests for proposals, running the bid process, evaluating proposals, and recommending awards, then manages the engineering firm and construction contractor through design, construction, and commissioning. The PM leads a small team that includes the Substation Construction Manager, who oversees construction on site, and the Substation Project Engineer, who provides protection, control, and apparatus support. The PM serves as the customer's primary point of contact for scope, schedule, budget, and contract matters.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Work with the customer to define project scope, schedule, and budget, and develop the project execution plan.
• Prepare requests for proposals and bid packages for engineering/design and construction services, including scopes of work, bid forms, schedules, and evaluation criteria.
• Lead pre-bid meetings and site visits, respond to bidder questions, issue addenda, and keep the bid process fair and well documented.
• Evaluate proposals on price, schedule, qualifications, safety performance, and past performance, prepare bid tabulations, and recommend awards to the customer.
• Manage the engineering firm through design, including design review meetings, drawing and submittal reviews, and conformance to customer standards.
• Coordinate customer-procured materials, outages, and interfaces with the wholesale provider and other stakeholders.
• Administer contracts after award, including RFIs, submittals, change orders, and review of contractor invoices and pay applications.
• Build and maintain the integrated project schedule and budget, develop recovery plans when a project trends behind, and report status, risks, and decisions to the customer weekly.
• Work with the Construction Manager to monitor safety, quality, and progress in the field and resolve construction and coordination issues.
• Oversee commissioning and energization planning, punch lists, as-built drawings, and project closeout.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 7 years of project management experience on electric utility capital projects, including substations.
• Experience preparing RFPs or bid packages, evaluating proposals, and recommending awards for engineering or construction services.
• Experience managing engineering firms and construction contractors under contract, including change orders and invoice review.
• Working knowledge of substation design, construction sequencing, and commissioning.
• Ability to read and interpret one-line diagrams, construction drawings, and specifications.
• Experience building and managing project schedules and budgets.
• Strong written communication, reporting, and customer-facing skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Outlook) and Microsoft Project.
• Valid driver's license, good driving record, and ability to travel to project sites.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
• PMP certification and/or Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Experience at an electric cooperative or utility, or as an owner's representative for one.
• Experience on large load, transmission interconnection, or utility-scale substation projects.
• Experience with Primavera P6.