Sr. Project Manager

Job Title: Senior / Principal Project Manager Advanced Power Generation & Transmission Job Description
This role leads complex capital projects within a new generation power portfolio, focusing on advanced thermal power generation and high-voltage transmission and distribution. The Senior/Principal Project Manager oversees projects from development and engineering through procurement, construction, commissioning, and turnover, ensuring scope, schedule, budget, and quality are consistently achieved. The position requires a seasoned leader who can independently manage large, multi-million to multi-billion-dollar programs or portfolios, coordinate cross-functional teams, and provide clear, executive-level reporting.
Responsibilities
- Lead large greenfield and brownfield power generation projects, including combined-cycle and simple-cycle gas turbine facilities, from development and engineering through procurement, construction, commissioning, and turnover.
- Manage project scope, schedule, and budget across one to two business units, with project budgets typically ranging from $500,000 to $10,000,000 and medium complexity as defined by internal guidelines.
- Oversee engineering design, including advanced-thermal power generation and high-voltage transmission line design (230 kV / 500 kV and above), ensuring compliance with design and construction standards.
- Provide design management and owners agent-type support for large transmission and distribution projects for utility clients.
- Coordinate and manage land acquisition activities, construction execution, and overall project administration throughout the project lifecycle.
- Establish and maintain strong project controls and governance frameworks, including integrated schedules, cost tracking, risk management, and reporting mechanisms.
- Oversee EPC and Owners Engineer (OE) interfaces, including major equipment and long-lead procurement, ensuring alignment with project objectives and timelines.
- Develop comprehensive execution plans and integrated project schedules using tools such as P6 or MS Project.
- Manage Requests for Proposals (RFPs), including preparation of RFP documents, evaluation of responses, and support in contractor and vendor selection.
- Administer Requests for Information (RFIs) and Change Orders, ensuring timely resolution and proper documentation of scope, cost, and schedule impacts.
- Lead multidisciplinary teams of approximately five to ten people, determining resource needs in collaboration with leaders and effectively coordinating multi-departmental internal stakeholders.
- Provide regular status updates and results to mid-level and inter/intra-departmental management, ensuring transparency on progress, risks, and mitigation plans.
- Prepare and deliver polished presentations and slide decks for high-level executives, clearly communicating project status, key decisions, and strategic implications.
- Drive accountability across multiple workstreams and contractors, ensuring deliverables meet technical, schedule, safety, and quality requirements.
- Monitor project financials, including cost forecasts, budget adherence, and variance analysis, and take corrective actions as needed.
- Support permitting efforts and ensure projects comply with applicable regulatory, environmental, and safety requirements.
- Maintain robust document control practices, including management of construction documents, design deliverables, and project correspondence.
- Support estimation activities by providing scope definition, quantities, and assumptions to inform project cost estimates.
- Identify and manage project risks and opportunities, implementing mitigation strategies to protect project objectives.
- Close out projects effectively, including final documentation, lessons learned, and turnover to operations or receiving organizations.
Essential Skills
- 515 years of project management experience with a strong focus on transmission and distribution projects for large utilities.
- Direct experience managing advanced thermal power generation projects, including combined-cycle and simple-cycle gas turbine facilities.
- Demonstrated ability to lead projects from development and engineering through procurement, construction, commissioning, and turnover.
- Experience managing multi-departmental projects typically lasting six months to two years, with medium complexity and budgets between $500,000 and $10,000,000.
- High-voltage transmission and distribution experience, particularly with large electrical systems at or above 230 kV and 500 kV.
- Strong construction management expertise, including oversight of field execution, contractor coordination, and adherence to design and construction standards.
- Hands-on experience with Requests for Information (RFIs) and Change Orders, including documentation, negotiation, and implementation.
- Project engineering and coordination skills, with the ability to integrate engineering, land, construction, and administrative functions.
- Proficiency in project scheduling tools such as Primavera P6 or MS Project.
- Solid understanding of project financials, including budgeting, cost control, and financial reporting.
- Strong presentation skills, with the ability to prepare and deliver executive-level slide decks and briefings.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with executives, stakeholders, and multidisciplinary teams.
- Proven ability to work under stress while maintaining quality, meeting deadlines, and managing competing priorities.
- Ability to establish strong project controls and governance, and to drive accountability across multiple workstreams and contractors.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience functioning as an owners agent or owners representative on large power or transmission projects.
- Background in design management for high-voltage transmission lines and large electrical infrastructure.
- Experience overseeing EPC and Owners Engineer (OE) interfaces, including coordination of major equipment and long-lead procurement.
- Familiarity with integrated schedule development and management for complex capital projects.
- Experience with document control processes and construction documentation management.
- Exposure to estimation processes, including supporting development of project cost estimates and budgets.
- Ability to manage Requests for Proposals (RFPs), including drafting, coordinating, and evaluating responses.
- Comfort working on multi-billion-dollar programs or portfolios, even if individual project assignments are at medium complexity levels.
- Polished professional presence, with the ability to represent the project team in executive forums and stakeholder meetings.
- Interest in long-term career growth within an employee-owned environment, with a focus on building a sustained future with the organization.
Work Environment
This role offers a blended work environment that includes remote, office, and on-site work. Project Managers may be based remotely, with the expectation of traveling to the project location or office for approximately one week per month; travel expenses such as flights and hotel accommodations are covered. The position involves collaboration with cross-functional teams, contractors, and stakeholders across multiple locations and requires flexibility to support field activities, meetings, and site visits as needed. Work is fast-paced and deadline-driven, with periods of high intensity due to project schedules and complex stakeholder coordination. The organization operates as an employee-owned firm and offers stock potential, along with paid time off, retirement benefits, and holiday pay, creating an environment that rewards long-term commitment and shared success.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Phoenix, AZ.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $75.00 - $100.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Phoenix, AZ.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 9, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully remote position. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

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