TPO Project Manager

About the role

CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. Our Vision: Our vision is to become the most admired utility in the United States through the execution of our long-term growth strategy. We have an unwavering commitment to safely and reliably deliver electricity and natural gas to millions of people.

Leads end-to-end delivery of high-voltage and extra-high-voltage (EHV) transmission and substation projects for a long term capital portfolio. Responsible for development of project execution plans and oversight through execution of multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Project delivery oversight & governance: Ensure scope/cost/schedule/quality/safety/risk targets are met; ensure stage-gate review readiness and prepare decision-gate packages; issue concise leadership updates at agreed intervals and escalate issues and decisions as needed; provide transparency into the project progress.
• Interface management and communications: Manage internal handoffs (e.g., Engineering, OE, EPC, land) and external interfaces (e.g., permitting agencies, landowners, regulators).
• Integrated planning & controls: Own the integrated master schedule and budget baseline; during planning, work closely with Project Controls to support the development and maintenance of cost baselines and project master schedule; during execution, manage project cost and schedule through cost forecast and project-execution KPI dashboards to avoid drift and resolve issues proactively.
• Cost estimation and forecasting: Develop and maintain robust owner’s cost baseline and forecast across the project lifecycle (from planning to energization), ensuring alignment with AACE standards and internal benchmarks for stage gate readiness.
• Risk & opportunity: Maintain the risk and opportunity registers; during planning; facilitate cross-functional risk reviews to define risks and mitigation plans; work closely with Cost Estimator to quantify risk and opportunity financial impacts; during execution manage contingency drawdown and release past trigger dates; escalate material risks promptly.
• EPC and OE contracting: Lead the EPC and OE selection, project Resources Plan, approval and mobilizing of Contractors’ key personnel and onboarding processes, in partnership with Supply Chain (commercial lead), Engineering (technical lead), and Legal, by developing project specific scope of work, steering term-sheet development (pricing model, milestones, LDs/bonuses, warranties, bonds/insurance, indemnities), and ensuring a documented execution handoff (deliverables, reporting cadence, change process).
• Procurement & long-lead strategy: Execute long-lead equipment strategy to support project critical path in partnership with Procurement/Logistics and Engineering/OE; ensure specifications and production slots are confirmed with vendors; support coordination between Materials and Logistics with EPC partners on site receiving/storage and spares.
• EPC management: Verify EPC progress against contractual milestones and acceptance criteria in collaboration with Construction Manager and Project Controls; review and approve progress payments; enforce commercial terms and review change orders/claims with Supply Chain/Legal.
• Construction coordination: Support adherence to safety/quality/environmental standards and coordination on energization and outage plans with Operations.
• Turnover & closeout: Ensure complete turnover packages (as-builts, test records, warranties, training, spares, O&M manuals); lead financial and contractual close; and capture project lessons learned.
• Team leadership & conflict resolution: Facilitate constructive decision-making; identify and resolve team conflicts; reinforce accountability for safety, quality, schedule, and cost.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Business, Business Management, Project Management, Construction Management, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, or related technical discipline from an accredited college or university.
• A minimum of 6 years of applicable work experience related to CenterPoint Energy’s engineering and construction work practices can be considered in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.
• 7-10+ years in engineering/project/construction management within electric transmission and/or substation.
• Demonstrated EPC delivery experience and leadership of multi-disciplinary teams.
• Portfolio management experience; executing projects with program EPC partners working in a collaborative, open book or integrated team model.
• Expertise in integrated schedule/cost/risk controls and formal change management.
• Direct EHV experience (≥500 kV, preferably 765kV) delivering transmission line and/or substation scope, including commissioning/energization leadership is preferred but not required.
• Ability to deal effectively with a wide variety of industry, government, and public contacts on project-related matters.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to work independently, think creatively and analytically, and make quick, sound decisions.
• Ability to thoughtfully and positively influence, lead, and manage change; demonstrated success in project management.
• Strong proficiency in MS Office products; experience with Microsoft Dynamics Project Operations preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills; ability to clearly present complex information to all levels of employees, management, and external stakeholders.
• Professional Registration or Project Management Professional (PMP) preferred.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Paid training
• Benefits eligibility begins on your first day
• Transit subsidies
• Flexible work schedule, paid holidays and paid time off
• Access to discounts at fitness clubs and an on-site wellness center at our headquarters in Houston
• Professional growth and development programs including tuition reimbursement
• 401(k) Savings Plan featuring a company match dollar-for-dollar up to 6% and a company contribution of 3% regardless of your contribution