Project Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Project Manager – Electrical Utility Construction

Job Description

This role leads the planning, coordination, and execution of electrical utility construction projects, with a focus on transmission and substation work. The Project Manager serves as the single point of accountability from pre-planning through project closeout, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in full alignment with design and customer expectations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the single point of management for assigned electrical utility construction projects from pre-planning through total construction administration and closeout.
• Coordinate and direct all aspects of construction activities for transmission and substation projects in a project management capacity.
• Develop, implement, and refine processes, procedures, and systems to deliver projects on schedule and within budget.
• Collaborate closely with the project team to ensure projects are constructed in accordance with design specifications, budget constraints, and schedule requirements.
• Work directly with clients/owners and onsite construction crews to ensure project safety, quality, schedule, and key milestones are consistently met.
• Prepare and quote change orders based on drawing changes, RFIs, and customer requests, ensuring accurate scope and cost impacts.
• Report on and forecast project profitability while actively managing project budgets and financial performance.
• Coordinate and maintain effective communication with client/owner representatives, subcontractors, and union members to support smooth project execution.
• Partner with field leadership to ensure projects have adequate labor, equipment, and other resources to maintain budget, schedule, and safety expectations.
• Monitor and manage the full project lifecycle, including scope, budget, schedule, and risk, and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Conduct or participate in field visits across the greater Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana regions to support active projects and site needs.
• Travel regionally, including occasional overnight stays, to oversee project activities and maintain strong client and field relationships.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 1+ years of experience working in a project management capacity on substation or transmission projects.
• Overall 3+ years of experience as a Project Manager, including experience independently running projects from start to finish.
• Hands-on project management experience in utility construction, specifically supporting transmission and substation (T&S) projects.
• Experience directly supporting a utility on the contracting side (for example, major electric utilities).
• Background in construction or construction management with exposure to substation construction, transmission repair, and substation equipment.
• Proven ability to coordinate utilities and manage multiple stakeholders on complex construction projects.
• Demonstrated experience managing the full project lifecycle, including monitoring and controlling scope, budget, and schedule.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to effectively coordinate and manage project teams, contractors, clients, and stakeholders.
• Ability to work on site when needed, including field visits to project locations.
• Capability to forecast and report on project profitability while managing project budgets.
• Commitment to maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and schedule adherence on all projects.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, business administration, or a related field, or equivalent relevant industry experience.
• PMP (Project Management Professional) certification is a plus.
• Experience working on transmission and substation projects for major electric utilities.
• Familiarity with change order development, including interpreting drawing changes, RFIs, and customer requests.
• Ability to contribute to the development and improvement of project delivery processes, procedures, and systems.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in documentation, reporting, and project controls.
• Ability to build strong working relationships in a tight-knit, collaborative team environment.
• Comfort with regional travel, including occasional overnight stays, to support project needs.

Work Environment

The role is primarily office-based with a hybrid structure. The standard schedule is Monday through Thursday in the office, with Fridays typically designated as a work-from-home day. The main office is located in a central suburban area with convenient access to shopping, restaurants, and entertainment. There is also an option to work out of a satellite office in Northwest Indiana, with space currently being reviewed in the Chesterton area. Project Managers regularly interact with field leadership, construction crews, and client representatives, and may conduct field visits during the day across the greater Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana regions. Some field visits may require occasional overnight stays, though this is not expected on a weekly basis. The office culture is tight knit and has a strong family atmosphere, with many team members having long tenure and a collaborative, supportive environment focused on delivering high-quality transmission and substation projects for major utility clients.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Downers Grove, IL.

The pay range for this position is $43.27 - $60.10/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a hybrid position in Downers Grove,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 24, 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 [email protected] 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.