Operations Manager - Substation Projects

About the Role We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager / Projects Director to lead the delivery of our substation construction portfolio, spanning greenfield builds, brownfield upgrades, and AIS/GIS installations across [transmission/distribution] voltage levels. This is a senior leadership role responsible for operational delivery, commercial performance, and team leadership across all active substation projects. Key Responsibilities Operational Leadership • Own end-to-end delivery of all substation projects — from contract award through construction, testing/commissioning, and handover • Set and enforce project execution standards, schedules, and quality benchmarks across the project portfolio • Act as the escalation point for project risks, delays, and technical/commercial disputes • Drive standardization of project controls, reporting, and execution methodology across sites. Substation Project Management • Provide hands-on oversight of substation-specific execution: civil works, structural steel, equipment installation (transformers, GIS/AIS switchgear, protection & control panels), cabling, testing, and commissioning • Ensure compliance with relevant grid codes, utility specifications, and safety/regulatory standards (e.g., IEC/IEEE, local utility/TSO requirements) • Manage interfaces with clients, utilities, EPC partners, and equipment OEMs • Oversee scheduling and resourcing across concurrent substation projects to avoid conflicts and delays P&L and Commercial Management • Full ownership of the operations P&L — revenue, cost, margin, and cash flow across the project portfolio • Review and approve project budgets, cost forecasts, and variance analyses • Partner with commercial/finance teams on contract terms, change orders, claims, and margin protection • Identify cost overruns early and implement corrective action plans • Report portfolio financial performance to executive leadership on a regular cadence Team Leadership • Lead, mentor, and develop Project Managers, Site Managers, and engineering staff • Build a high-performing operations team; manage hiring, performance, and succession planning • Foster a strong safety culture across all sites (HSE ownership). Stakeholder Management • Serve as senior client-facing representative for major accounts and utility relationships • Manage relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, and regulatory bodies • Support business development with technical/commercial input on new bids and tenders Required Qualifications • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related field (Master's/MBA a plus) • 15+ years in construction/EPC, with a minimum of 8-10 years specifically in substation project management. • Demonstrated ownership of P&L — budgeting, cost control, margin management, and financial reporting at a project or portfolio level • Proven track record managing multiple concurrent substation projects from award to energization • Strong working knowledge of substation equipment, testing/commissioning procedures, and applicable codes/standards • Experience managing client, utility, and regulatory relationships • Strong leadership experience managing multi-disciplinary teams (engineering, construction, commercial). Preferred Qualifications • PMP or equivalent project management certification • Experience with EPC or turnkey substation contracts • Familiarity with contract types (FIDIC, NEC, lump-sum, cost-plus) and claims management Show more Show less

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related field (Master's/MBA a plus). 15+ years in construction/EPC, with a minimum of 8-10 years specifically in substation project management. Demonstrated ownership of P&L — budgeting, cost control, margin management, and financial reporting at a project or portfolio level. Proven track record managing multiple concurrent substation projects from award to energization. Strong working knowledge of substation equipment, testing/commissioning procedures, and applicable codes/standards. Experience managing client, utility, and regulatory relationships. Strong leadership experience managing multi-disciplinary teams (engineering, construction, commercial).

Own end-to-end delivery of all substation projects — from contract award through construction, testing/commissioning, and handover. Set and enforce project execution standards, schedules, and quality benchmarks across the project portfolio. Act as the escalation point for project risks, delays, and technical/commercial disputes. Drive standardization of project controls, reporting, and execution methodology across sites. Provide hands-on oversight of substation-specific execution: civil works, structural steel, equipment installation (transformers, GIS/AIS switchgear, protection & control panels), cabling, testing, and commissioning. Ensure compliance with relevant grid codes, utility specifications, and safety/regulatory standards (e.g., IEC/IEEE, local utility/TSO requirements). Manage interfaces with clients, utilities, EPC partners, and equipment OEMs. Oversee scheduling and resourcing across concurrent substation projects to avoid conflicts and delays. Full ownership of the operations P&L — revenue, cost, margin, and cash flow across the project portfolio. Review and approve project budgets, cost forecasts, and variance analyses. Partner with commercial/finance teams on contract terms, change orders, claims, and margin protection. Identify cost overruns early and implement corrective action plans. Report portfolio financial performance to executive leadership on a regular cadence. Lead, mentor, and develop Project Managers, Site Managers, and engineering staff. Build a high-performing operations team; manage hiring, performance, and succession planning. Foster a strong safety culture across all sites (HSE ownership). Serve as senior client-facing representative for major accounts and utility relationships. Manage relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, and regulatory bodies. Support business development with technical/commercial input on new bids and tenders.