Senior Project Manager - EPC Power Delivery - REMOTE
WSP · Chicago
WSP is seeking a Power Delivery Senior Project Manager for our Power & Energy Power Delivery Project Management Team.
The Senior Project Manager (SPM) is responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of the project management team to produce a product consistent with WSP mission statement and our culture. The SPM is expected to lead by example in adhering to WSP's culture and defined project management and business practices and to achieve the goals of the business plan, maintain WSP's high-quality standards, promote internal teamwork and meet the needs of our clients. The position requires a focus on division goals to enhance client connection, maintain uncompromising quality and build a better future together. Building a team atmosphere is critical to the success of our department.
The SPM day-to-day activities will include managing the project execution of engineering teams, promoting quality deliverables, and provide strategic and technical leadership in the development and execution of project controls systems.
The successful candidate may work from a mutually acceptable location within the United States and will be based out of any WSP local office with the ability to work remotely in a hybrid office arrangement. You must have the ability to travel to a WSP and/or Client office for periodic in-person meetings.
This Opportunity
The SPM provides technical, administrative, and commercial project management leadership for the development, execution, delivery, management, control and monitoring of Substation, Transmission and Distribution Line projects throughout the US in support of company, regional, and national business line goals. This position will focus on managing engineering projects for Engineer, Procure, Construction (EPC) clients. Ensures all responsibilities throughout the full project lifecycle including proposal phase, planning and project startup, project execution, procurement, construction support, schedule, cost control, reporting, and project closeout are executed, adhered to, delivered, and audited with a level of quality that meets or exceeds corporate and client project excellence and delivery standards.. Provides practical leadership, process improvement, and innovative solutions to address schedule, cost, risk, quality, and stakeholder management challenges within a dynamic, regulated, and evolving Power Delivery and energy infrastructure environment. Provide engineering team guidance on providing engineering solutions that not only meet codes and standards but also provide total installed value to the client and ultimate owner/operator of the facility.
Your Impact
- Provide project management leadership for small/medium/large‑scale/more complex complex high voltage and EHV projects throughout the US, including pursuit and development of opportunities, initiation, planning, execution, controlling, and closing ensuring support for preparing and overseeing project detailed design, budgets, forecasts, margins and KPIs, monitoring external events and risk contingencies, ensuring satisfactory performance, and managing the contractual obligations to deliver the project or assigned portfolio of assigned project(s) as defined in the contract and client’s expectations.
- Develop and execute stakeholder engagement and communication strategies for clients, internal leadership, engineering teams, contractors, and regulators, maintaining strong relationships and providing timely reporting on project status, risks, and performance.
- Provide guidance during pursuit, initiation, and project startup phases, supporting Go/No‑Go decisions, contract and commercial reviews, pricing strategies, delivery risk assessments, and mitigation planning for Power Delivery and utility capital projects
- May participate, and many times, lead the contract T&Cs negotiations, rate schedule development, and client presentations.
- Actively drive and coordinate the completion of appropriate levels of internal risk review required for all projects associated with your reporting staff, adhering to company RDOA requirements and procedures.
- Actively lead and enforce appropriate technical and constructability reviews, ensuring selection of qualified engineering and discipline leads, adherence to QA/QC programs, and compliance with utility standards and WSP project quality plans.
- Provide written and verbal technical input to multi‑disciplinary project teams and contribute strategic, risk‑informed advisory guidance to clients on schedule, cost, constructability, and execution strategy.
- Mentor and coach project managers, engineers, and support staff, supporting career development, performance improvement, and leadership growth within the Power Delivery organization.
- Manage, evaluate, and provide performance leadership to assigned staff, ensuring alignment with project objectives, safety expectations, and delivery standards
- Ensure timely updates and governance compliance for project management systems and documentation, including Risk Registers (REF/RMP), Project Management Plans (PMP), Quality Plans (QP), Project Safety Plans (PSP), and Communications Plans
- Facilitate and lead project kick‑off, safety, and execution alignment meetings with key internal and external stakeholders to establish roles, responsibilities, and delivery expectations.
- Coordinate with area managers, technical leads, and resource managers to address staffing, subcontracting, and specialty support needs in a timely manner.
- Maintain regular client communications, including monthly progress reporting, safety performance, major risks/issues, and scope or budget impacts, reinforcing WSP’s role as a trusted advisor.
- Participate in and lead problem project and recovery reviews, conducting root‑cause analysis, identifying corrective actions, and developing project recovery and mitigation plans
- Ensure consistent project reporting and governance updates to clients, technical leadership, and business unit managers, proactively identifying emerging scope, schedule, cost, or risk issues.
- Monitor and manage accounts receivable (AR), unbilled revenue, cash flow, and invoicing, coordinating with project accounting and finance teams to resolve issues and maintain financial health of projects.
- Complete formal project closeout activities, including financial closeout, documentation archiving, client acceptance, and lessons‑learned workshops to support continuous improvement.
- Collaborate with cross‑disciplinary professionals to deliver integrated, future‑ready power delivery solutions, strengthening WSP’s position as a trusted advisor to clients.
- Exercise responsible and ethical decision‑making regarding company funds, client commitments, project risks, and professional conduct, in accordance with WSP’s Code of Conduct and corporate policies.
- Ensure EPC clients and ultimate owner/operators of the facility expectations are met and/or exceeded. Perform additional responsibilities as required
Who You Are
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's in Engineering, Construction Management or other related field within the Power & Energy Market, or equivalent experience in a technical or engineering firm. Candidates with PMP certification will be considered.
- 12+ years of progressive post‑education experience in a project management role within the Power Delivery/Utility Industry.
- Minimum of 3 years applicable industry experience working and/or providing engineering services for IOUs, IPPs, Co-Ops, Munis, EPCs, etc.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience leading engineering and/or construction teams on medium to large electrical utility scale clients for medium, high voltage and/or extra high voltage power delivery type projects.
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in managing engineering projects with an Engineer, Procure, Construction (EPC) delivery model.
- Knowledge and experience with project management processes and tools required, including:
o Contract Management
o External and Internal Team Meeting Management
o Earned Value Management
o Change Management
o Risk Management
o Schedule Management (this includes experience with CPM project schedules such as Primavera P6 or equivalent
o Financial Management
- Highly proficient understanding of project delivery process, specifically EPC delivery model, within the Power Delivery/Utility industry and strong background and experience in project management.
- Advanced analytical and organizational skills with demonstrated business and commercial acumen, enabling effective integration of project controls, financial performance, risk management, and client objectives.
- Advanced proficiency in critical thinking, risk‑based decision‑making, and problem‑solving, including performing project management assessments, schedule and cost evaluations, forecasting, and scenario analysis to optimize project outcomes.
- Advanced interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage effectively, persuasively, and professionally with executive leadership, clients, subcontractors, consultants, and internal teams.
- Demonstrated self‑leadership and accountability, with strong attention to detail, quality, multitasking, and adaptability in a fast‑paced project environment.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while providing technical guidance, mentoring, and leadership to mid‑level and senior project staff, with strict adherence to QA/QC, safety, and delivery standards.
- Advanced proficiency in technical writing, project documentation, office automation, and project management software, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Visio, Project, SharePoint), scheduling tools, and PM platforms.
- Strong experience managing the review, approval, and coordination of discipline‑specific deliverables, technical reports, scopes of work, and execution plans within a multi‑project, multi‑disciplinary portfolio.
- Demonstrated ability to influence and gain cooperation from a broad range of stakeholders, including senior leadership, clients, subcontractors, consultants, and matrixed internal teams, without formal authority.
- Proven commitment to workplace health, safety, and environmental performance, including adherence to WSP safety programs, drug/alcohol policies, and harassment‑free workplace standards.
- Strong ability to quickly adapt to change and demonstrate flexibility to a variety of schedules and hours to meet project-specific needs. Occasional travel is required and travel frequency will depend on client and project-specific requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
• PE License
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.
WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.
At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?
WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:
WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.