Project Management Area Lead - Power Delivery

WSP is seeking a Project Management Area Lead for our Power & Energy Management Team. This role is responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of the local and/or regional project management team to produce work consistent with WSP’s mission and culture. The position requires leadership in adhering to WSP’s project management and business practices, achieving business plan goals, maintaining high-quality standards, and meeting client needs. This role will be based in the Midwestern U.S. with the ability to work remotely from any mutually acceptable location in the region, including periodic travel to WSP and/or client offices.

About the Role

This opportunity provides leadership and project management oversight for the development, execution, management, control, and monitoring of Substation and/or Transmission Line projects throughout the Southeast and Midwest regions. The role ensures adherence to responsibilities throughout the project lifecycle—proposal phase, planning, execution, reporting, and closeout—delivering quality that meets or exceeds corporate and client standards. The position addresses current and future project management challenges in a rapidly changing business environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide project management leadership for small, medium, and large-scale Substation and/or Transmission Line projects, overseeing detailed design, budgets, forecasts, margins, KPIs, risk contingencies, and contractual obligations.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in project management, ensuring corporate compliance with internal standards and addressing challenges within a large-scale, multi-faceted organization.
• Support the development and execution of Business Unit and Regional Manager recruiting plans, including interviewing candidates and making hiring recommendations. Monitor and address retention.
• Oversee the employee review process, perform reviews for direct reports, and summarize recommendations for position and salary adjustments.
• Support the preparation, monitoring, and execution of PE to PM transition plans for internal transfers and new hires, ensuring strong mentoring relationships for new project managers.
• Develop and foster strategies to engage stakeholders, maintain effective relationships, and report on project progress.
• Provide guidance on pursuit and initiation activities, including “Go/No-Go” decisions, contract reviews, risk mitigation, and pricing strategies.
• Lead or participate in contract negotiations, rate schedule development, and client presentations.
• Drive appropriate levels of technical review, select qualified staff, and ensure adherence to QA/QC plans.
• Provide verbal and written inputs to multi-disciplinary project teams and contribute high-level strategic advice to clients.
• Manage and provide performance guidance to assigned staff.
• Ensure updates to system and process documentation, including Risk (REF/RMP), Project Management Plan (PMP), Project Quality Plan (QP), Project Safety (PSP), and Communications Plan.
• Lead project kick-off meetings with key stakeholders.
• Coordinate with area/technical managers to address project resource and subcontracting requirements.
• Maintain regular client communications, reporting on monthly status, safety incidents, and major issues with scope and budget impacts.
• Participate in and oversee problem project reviews, providing input on root causes and potential solutions, and assist in developing recovery plans.
• Ensure regular project reporting and updates to clients, technical areas, and business unit managers, identifying emergent issues.
• Complete formal project closeout activities and facilitate lessons-learned meetings with key project staff.
• Collaborate with professionals from various disciplines to provide “trusted advisor” services and future-ready solutions for clients.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, adhering to WSP’s Code of Conduct.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field within the Power & Energy Market, or equivalent experience in a technical or engineering firm. Candidates with PMP certification will be considered.
• 10+ years of relevant post-education experience in an engineering or project management role within the Power Delivery/Utility Industry.
• Minimum of 5 years of applicable industry experience working with or providing engineering services for IOUs, IPPs, Co-Ops, Munis, etc.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience leading engineering and/or construction teams on medium to large electrical utility-scale projects for medium, high voltage, and/or extra high voltage power delivery.

Skills

• Knowledge and experience with project management processes and tools, including:
  • Contract Management
  • External and Internal Team Meeting Management
  • Earned Value Management
  • Change Management
  • Risk Management
  • Schedule Management (including CPM project schedules such as Primavera P6 or equivalent)
  • Financial Management
• Advanced understanding of the project delivery process within the Power Delivery/Utility industry and a strong background in project management.
• Advanced proficiency in analytical and organizational skills, with business acumen to bridge business and project management.
• Advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills to assess and apply project management principles effectively.
• Advanced interpersonal and communication skills to interact persuasively and tactfully with leadership, subcontractors, and employees at all levels.
• Excellent self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and adaptability to changing priorities in a dynamic work environment.
• Ability to work independently and provide guidance to mid-level to senior team members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Advanced proficiency in technical writing, office automation, relevant software, MS Office suite (Word, Excel, Visio, Project, SharePoint), and PM tools.
• Ability to elicit cooperation from a wide variety of sources, including senior management, subcontractors, consultants, and staff without formal hierarchical relationships.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety, and drug/alcohol policies.
• Strong adaptability to change and flexibility to meet project-specific schedules and hours.
• Occasional travel is required, depending on client and project-specific needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) License
• PMP Certification
• Knowledge of WSP’s clients in the Midwestern Region

Benefits

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on health and financial stability, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Disability and life insurance
• Retirement savings plans
• Paid sick leave
• Paid vacation or personal time
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off for bereavement, voting, and naturalization proceedings

Pay

Expected salary (all locations): $150,000 - $190,000. WSP USA provides this range based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, internal equity, and geographic location. The company reserves the right to adjust compensation and benefits based on circumstances unrelated to protected status.

Expected salary (Colorado only): $150,000 - $190,000. This range reflects WSP USA’s good-faith estimate for the position within Colorado, considering the same factors as above.