Senior Utilities Project Manager

Mott MacDonald•Houston, TX

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Mott MacDonald is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead multidisciplinary consulting and engineering services for major electrical transmission, substation, and grid infrastructure projects across North America. The role is the primary interface between clients and technical delivery teams, overseeing complex programs while developing trusted client relationships and supporting the company's growth in the energy sector. The successful candidate will coordinate teams delivering services throughout the transmission line and substation project lifecycle, including integrated system studies, route selection, survey, permitting, GIS, geotechnical investigations, design and engineering, protection and controls, and construction monitoring. The position combines commercial and client leadership with extensive knowledge of how major utility projects are developed, permitted, engineered, and constructed. The Senior Project Manager leads multidisciplinary delivery teams, manages project execution and financial performance, supports business development, and mentors project professionals. Success is measured by client satisfaction, project delivery performance, repeat business, account growth, and the development of multidisciplinary teams.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Project Management, or a related discipline.
At least 10 years of experience delivering multidisciplinary services supporting electrical utility, power systems, transmission, distribution, substation, and/or energy infrastructure projects.
Strong understanding of utility capital project development, including planning, routing, permitting, engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning.
Experience managing project budgets, schedules, contracts, and commercial performance.
Exceptional communication, leadership, client relationship, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary project teams and manage complex project portfolios.

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineer (PE) license and/or PMP certification.
Experience supporting major transmission and substation programs, including infrastructure at 138kV, 230kV, 345kV, or higher voltage classes.
Experience working for or supporting investor-owned utilities, public power entities, cooperatives, municipal utilities, renewable developers, or large industrial clients.
Established relationships within the utility sector.
Familiarity with Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, GIS platforms, project controls systems, and digital delivery technologies.

Responsibilities

Manage complex transmission, substation, and utility infrastructure projects, coordinating technical disciplines and workstreams across project development and execution.
Lead consulting, planning, environmental, engineering, advisory, and construction support services from project initiation through closeout.
Develop and maintain project execution plans, resource plans, budgets, schedules, forecasts, and staffing strategies.
Manage project scope, fees, commercial performance, risk, quality, and contractual obligations.
Establish project governance, reporting, and decision-making frameworks.
Be accountable for project delivery performance and client satisfaction.
Build trusted advisor relationships with utilities, municipalities, cooperatives, developers, industrial clients, and energy infrastructure owners.
Understand client capital programs, regulatory drivers, operational challenges, and long-term infrastructure plans.
Identify opportunities to expand services across planning, engineering, environmental, advisory, and program management.
Lead executive-level project reviews and key client meetings.
Manage project profitability, resource utilization, forecasting, invoicing, and financial performance.
Develop fee proposals, budget forecasts, staffing plans, and delivery strategies.
Lead scope negotiations, change management, and contract amendments.
Monitor project performance metrics and identify and mitigate emerging risks.
Ensure projects are delivered safely, profitably, and in accordance with client and contractual requirements.
Support strategic pursuits, proposals, interviews, and capture planning.
Collaborate with account and market leaders to strengthen client relationships and expand account penetration.
Identify opportunities to position company capabilities across transmission, substation, distribution, renewables interconnection, grid modernization, and utility program delivery.
Contribute to the growth of Mott MacDonald's North American Power and Utilities business.
Lead multidisciplinary teams of engineers, planners, environmental specialists, permitting professionals, project controls personnel, construction support staff, and technical specialists.
Mentor developing project managers, discipline leads, and early-career professionals.
Promote a culture of safety, collaboration, innovation, accountability, and technical excellence.