Director, Project Planning

About the role

Provides strategic leadership for the development and front end planning of Transmission and Distribution (T&D) projects. This position is responsible for advancing projects from concept through readiness for execution, ensuring alignment with system planning needs, regulatory requirements, business objectives, and long range capital plans. Leads cross functional teams to develop scope, cost, schedule, and risk plans to support timely and efficient delivery of T&D infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Develops and oversees front end project planning and readiness
• Provides leadership and oversight for front end planning of Transmission and Distribution projects, establishing and enforcing standards for project charters, execution plans, division of responsibilities (DOR), and governance for overall project-readiness prior to execution.
• Directs early cost, schedule, forecasting, and risk planning
• Directs project planning controls during the front end phase, including development of credible cost estimates, budgets, forecasts, resource loaded and risk adjusted schedules, and formal risk registers to ensure projects enter execution with durable baselines and reliable forecasts.
• Directs permitting and critical issues analysis and planning
• Oversees early permitting strategies, critical‑issues analysis, and coordination to mitigate regulatory, entitlement, and schedule risks before execution begins.
• Drives engineering planning activities required for permitting to meet execution and schedule requirements.
• Provides portfolio level planning and oversight
• Supports project prioritization, sequencing, and resource alignment prior to execution.
• Develops procurement and contracting strategies
• Develops and directs early procurement strategies for contractors (OE, EPC etc.) and long lead equipment and materials. Implements contracting strategies, including development and standardization of technical and engineering specifications and project scoping in coordination with engineering and supply chain, to support cost and schedule performance.
• Oversees engineering and technical planning readiness
• Builds, develops, and manages the project planning team
• Assigns work, sets priorities, coaches team members, conducts performance reviews, supports career development, and coordinates with internal human resource functions to ensure organizational effectiveness.
• Ensures all compliance aspects of position are known and followed; understands and complies with all policies, codes and regulations applicable to position and company.

Qualifications

• Essential Education, Skills, and Environment: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Project Management, Construction Management, or a related discipline from an accredited school, and 10 or more years of progressively responsible experience in project development, planning, or capital program management. Candidates that do not possess a bachelor’s degree must have a minimum of 14 years of related work experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of: Electric transmission and distribution systems, utility capital planning, and project development practices. Strong leadership, strategic planning, and financial acumen. Proven ability to lead cross functional teams and influence outcomes across multiple business units. Excellent communication, analytical, decision making, and interpersonal skills. Utility business and industry practices. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regulations Public Utility Commission regulations Federal Permitting regulations Demonstrated Skills Such As Strategic planning Ability to develop effective relationships. Excellent negotiation, critical thinking, project management, communication, decision making, presentation, human relations, and organization skills.