Lead Project Manager or Principal Program Manager - Construction

Alliant Energy•Cedar Rapids, IA

About The Position

Alliant Energy is hiring at the Lead Project Manager or Principal Program Manager level to provide strategic leadership for complex construction programs and major energy infrastructure projects. The role leads planning, execution, and delivery of generation and infrastructure projects, including development and construction of Combustion Turbine (CT) Simple Cycle power plants and other critical energy facilities. The hired level will depend on the candidate’s qualifications, experience leading large-scale capital projects, and ability to manage increasingly complex programs. The position collaborates with engineering, operations, environmental, regulatory, supply chain, and construction partners to advance projects from concept through commissioning while balancing safety, schedule, cost, quality, and stakeholder expectations. It also supports project and program governance, organizational change management, project management methodology, portfolio oversight, and mentoring. The role may perform other duties that support Alliant Energy’s values and purpose.

Requirements

Lead Project Manager: 8 years of professional experience in program or project management, managing multiple large projects.
Lead Project Manager: Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related area preferred.
Lead Project Manager: Project Management Professional (PMP) certification required, or must be attained within 8 months of hire.
Principal Program Manager: 15 or more years of professional experience in program or project management, managing multiple large projects.
Principal Program Manager: 10 or more combined years managing large construction projects in gas turbine generation (including CT, combined cycle, simple cycle, or RICE), wind generation construction or repowering, solar generation construction, LNG storage construction, or BESS construction.
Principal Program Manager: Expert in project management areas including scope, time, cost, risk, resource, quality, communication, and contract management.
Principal Program Manager: Extensive experience leading or mentoring staff in project/program management for large construction projects.
Principal Program Manager: Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field.
Principal Program Manager: Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from PMI required, or must be attained within 8 months of hire.
Ability to analyze and solve complex problems and implement effective solutions.
Ability to organize large program and project plans and document them effectively.
Demonstrated understanding of project management methodology and ability to promote and improve program and project management practices.
Ability to plan and carry out responsibilities with minimal direction.
Demonstrated effective leadership and team skills.
Ability to develop and apply performance measures.
Demonstrated effective interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Ability to use computer software such as email, word processing, spreadsheets, and project management applications.
Ability to work effectively in a collaborative and inclusive work environment.

Nice To Haves

Strong understanding of relevant industry standards, best practices, and regulatory requirements, including Inflation Reduction Act tax implications and labor treatment issues such as prevailing wage, apprenticeship, and Davis-Bacon Act requirements.

Responsibilities

Conduct project stage-gate and periodic quality reviews for high-risk, costly, value-added, or large and complex projects.
Support program and project governance responsibilities.
Develop and deliver updated processes and training materials to promote and improve program and project management methodologies, processes, and tools.
Explain program and project management practices and execution to sponsors, customers, and other key stakeholders, and guide project managers through the project lifecycle.
Maintain an understanding of the overall project portfolio and communicate portfolio information to sponsors, customers, and other key stakeholders.
Escalate portfolio risks and issues appropriately and conduct triage as needed to lead troubled initiatives back on course.
Apply program management methodology to strategic alignment, benefits management, stakeholder engagement, integration management, and program risk management.
Support and mentor others in using organizational change management methodology within program and project management.
Provide direct program management services for large strategic programs.
Perform other duties as needed to support Alliant Energy’s values and purpose.