Senior Utility Distribution Project Manager

About the role

CARIAN is a leading, woman-owned, purpose-driven consulting and advisory firm dedicated exclusively to the power sector. We partner with electric and gas utilities to provide strategic advisory and disciplined execution across program management, business intelligence, and field execution oversight. Guided by integrity, trust, excellence, and accountability, our team helps deliver complex capital programs and build the resilient energy infrastructure that communities depend on.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 10–20 electric distribution and substation projects from inception through completion
• Review and validate project scopes and develop work plans with engineering and utility stakeholders
• Coordinate outage requests and sequenced construction plans with subject matter experts and contractor partners
• Support material and equipment procurement in coordination with engineering teams
• Coordinate environmental and non-environmental permitting reviews and submissions
• Develop construction RFP packages, including scopes of work, schedules, and permitting documentation
• Evaluate contractor bids and support award recommendations to the utility client
• Facilitate pre-construction meetings and ongoing project progress meetings
• Drive construction progress, frequently supporting work on-site
• Oversee pre-energization activities and project closeout
• Maintain strong working relationships with construction teams through regular site visits and communication
• Coordinate with schedulers to develop and maintain detailed Primavera P6 project schedules
• Maintain project budgets, monthly forecasts, and accrual tracking
• Utilize client systems for financial reporting, contract management, and project documentation
• Report regularly on schedule, cost, safety, procurement, environmental, and design-related issues

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field
• Minimum of 9-12 years of electric distribution or substation construction project management experience
• Demonstrated experience managing project cost, schedule, and contractor performance
• Working knowledge of substations, distribution systems, or utility communications infrastructure
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• PMP certification preferred