Utilities Project Manager

Job Title: Project Manager – Utilities Construction

Job Description

The Project Manager leads customer-specific and internal construction projects from initiation through completion, ensuring they meet quality, schedule, and financial objectives. This role creates value by analyzing project results, developing insights that inform business decisions, and supporting monthly operational and financial reporting. The position requires close collaboration with Operations and Finance teams, regular interaction with customers, and the ability to translate technical and financial data into clear, actionable information. A strong foundation in finance and accounting, solid business acumen, and excellent communication skills are essential for success in this role.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise multiple construction projects from planning through completion, ensuring adherence to scope, budget, schedule, and quality standards.
• Direct project workflow and coordinate resources to maintain proper levels of quality control and efficient utilization of labor, equipment, and materials.
• Develop detailed project specifications and implement practices that achieve defined objectives and satisfy both internal stakeholders and clients.
• Communicate project status, risks, and milestones clearly and regularly to leadership and to the client, ensuring transparency and alignment.
• Collaborate with Operations team members on the monthly reporting of operational and financial metrics, including key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Manage and develop models for reporting operational KPIs and ensure accurate information flow into monthly performance and leadership reports.
• Work closely with Finance and Operations teams to analyze project and operational data, identify trends, and support informed business decisions.
• Support Finance and Operations team members by helping them understand and articulate business drivers, revenue projections, earned value, and other operational metrics.
• Proactively participate in meetings with construction supervisors to gather technical, financial, and operational inputs required for accurate reporting.
• Maintain a working knowledge of utility company policies and procedures to communicate effectively with various professional staff from client organizations.
• Apply a solid understanding of line construction and maintenance practices, including recognition of distribution equipment and associated hazards.
• Use working knowledge of the National Electric Safety Code (NESC) to support safe and compliant project planning and execution.
• Ensure strict confidentiality of highly sensitive and proprietary information related to projects, clients, and company operations.
• Assist the Estimating department in developing new estimates by leveraging historical reporting and performance data from past projects.
• Oversee and coordinate self-perform work and activities involving general contractor responsibilities, including substation, heavy civil, and electrical construction.
• Utilize MS Office and other project management tools to create schedules, reports, and documentation that support project execution and oversight.
• Identify and help resolve business issues by applying finance and modeling skills to reach data-driven conclusions and recommendations.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to continuously improve project management processes, reporting practices, and operational efficiency.
• Perform additional responsibilities and duties as assigned to support the success of projects and the broader organization.

Essential Skills

• At least 3 years of project management experience, preferably in construction-focused roles.
• A minimum of 6 years of experience in the construction industry.
• Detailed knowledge of project management fundamentals, including project life cycle, scope management, time management, and cost management.
• Experience working for a self-performing contractor.
• Experience working for a general contractor.
• Strong understanding of construction management, including planning, scheduling, quality control, and coordination of field activities.
• Working knowledge of the National Electric Safety Code (NESC) and the ability to recognize distribution equipment and associated hazards.
• Practical familiarity with line construction and maintenance practices.
• Proficiency with MS Office for reporting, analysis, and documentation.
• Ability to develop and manage models for reporting operational KPIs and financial metrics.
• Strong finance and accounting knowledge, with the ability to analyze project results and support business decisions.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to interface effectively with customers, operations staff, finance teams, and leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive and proprietary information.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Financial studies or formal education in finance, accounting, or related fields.
• Knowledge of the electricity and electrical construction market.
• Experience in civil construction or high-voltage electrical construction, including heavy civil, utilities, and large ground-up commercial projects.
• A 4-year college degree in a relevant discipline; candidates without a degree should have at least 5+ years of project management experience.
• Experience with substation construction, heavy civil construction, and electrical construction.
• Familiarity with self-perform work environments and general contractor operations.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Estimating teams using historical project data.
• Strong business acumen and the ability to translate technical and financial information into clear insights for decision-makers.

Work Environment

The role combines office-based and field-based work, with approximately 75% of the time spent in the office and 25% in the field. The position involves local travel to project sites within Arizona, supporting active construction projects and field operations. Onboarding and on-the-job training will take place at the Phoenix office, with the potential to work out of a Mesa office as an alternative location. Standard working hours apply, but the Project Manager should maintain flexibility to adjust to project demands and deadlines. The environment is collaborative and performance-driven, with regular interaction between Operations, Finance, and field supervision teams. The organization offers structured annual merit increases in June based on performance and goal achievement, performance-based bonuses tied to company budget goals, and the use of a company vehicle for work-related travel.

This is a Permanent position based out of Phoenix, AZ.

The pay range for this position is $125000.00 - $175000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Will provide benefit info once candidates get to the interview stage.

This is a fully onsite position in Phoenix,AZ.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 7, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.