Lead TPO Project Manager

CenterPoint Energy•Houston, TX

About The Position

Leads end-to-end delivery of high-voltage and extra-high-voltage transmission and substation projects within a long-term capital portfolio. The role develops project execution plans and oversees multiple projects through execution. It establishes and builds an integrated project management team to deliver projects under an EPC model with an Owner’s Engineer, with accountability for scope, schedule, budget, safety, quality, and risk from initiation through commissioning and closeout. The position aligns and directs the Owner’s Engineer and EPC partners alongside internal engineering, project controls, supply chain, regulatory and permitting, right-of-way, construction, and operations teams. It enforces stage-gate governance and project controls and serves as the single point of accountability for project execution, including compliance with regulatory and customer procedures and tracking execution metrics across all phases. The role oversees project delivery and governance; manages interfaces and communications; owns integrated planning and controls, cost estimation and forecasting, and risk and opportunity management; and leads EPC and Owner’s Engineer contracting, procurement strategy, EPC performance management, and construction coordination. It also leads turnover and closeout, supports safe and high-quality execution, and facilitates team decision-making and conflict resolution.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Business Management, Project Management, Construction Management, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, or a related technical discipline from an accredited college or university; at least six years of applicable experience related to CenterPoint Energy engineering and construction work practices may substitute for the degree.
7–10+ years of engineering, project, or construction management experience in electric transmission and/or substations.
Demonstrated EPC delivery experience and leadership of multidisciplinary teams.
Portfolio management experience, including execution with program EPC partners using a collaborative, open-book, or integrated-team model.
Expertise in integrated schedule, cost, and risk controls and formal change management.
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 influence thoughtfully and positively, lead and manage change, and demonstrate project-management success.
Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to present complex information clearly to employees, management, and external stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Direct EHV experience (500 kV or higher, preferably 765 kV) delivering transmission line and/or substation scope, including commissioning or energization leadership.
Experience with Microsoft Dynamics Project Operations.
Professional registration or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Responsibilities

Ensure project scope, cost, schedule, quality, safety, and risk targets are met; prepare stage-gate review materials and decision packages, provide leadership updates, and escalate issues and decisions as needed.
Manage internal handoffs among Engineering, the Owner’s Engineer, EPC partners, and land teams, as well as external interfaces with permitting agencies, landowners, and regulators.
Own the integrated master schedule and budget baseline; work with Project Controls to develop and maintain cost baselines and schedules, and manage execution using cost forecasts and KPI dashboards to identify and resolve issues proactively.
Develop and maintain the owner’s cost baseline and forecast throughout the project lifecycle, aligned with AACE standards and internal benchmarks for stage-gate readiness.
Maintain risk and opportunity registers; facilitate cross-functional risk reviews and mitigation planning; work with the Cost Estimator to quantify financial impacts; manage contingency drawdown and release past trigger dates; and promptly escalate material risks.
Lead EPC and Owner’s Engineer selection, project resource planning, contractor personnel approval and mobilization, and onboarding with Supply Chain, Engineering, and Legal; develop project-specific scopes of work, steer term-sheet development, and document execution handoffs.
Execute long-lead equipment strategy with Procurement/Logistics and Engineering/Owner’s Engineer; confirm vendor specifications and production slots, and coordinate site receiving, storage, and spares with Materials, Logistics, and EPC partners.
Verify EPC progress against contractual milestones and acceptance criteria with the Construction Manager and Project Controls; review and approve progress payments; enforce commercial terms and review change orders and claims with Supply Chain and Legal.
Support compliance with safety, quality, and environmental standards and coordinate energization and outage plans with Operations.
Ensure complete turnover packages, including as-builts, test records, warranties, training, spares, and O&M manuals; lead financial and contractual closeout and capture lessons learned.
Facilitate constructive decision-making, identify and resolve team conflicts, and reinforce accountability for safety, quality, schedule, and cost.

Benefits

Competitive pay
Paid training
Benefits eligibility beginning on the first day
Transit subsidies
Flexible work schedule
Paid holidays and paid time off
Fitness club discounts
Access to an on-site wellness center at the Houston headquarters
Professional growth and development programs
Tuition reimbursement
401(k) Savings Plan with dollar-for-dollar company match up to 6% and a company contribution of 3% regardless of employee contribution