Electrical Project Manager

Electrical Project ManagerLocation: Greater Chicago AreaSchedule: Full-time | Approximately 80% office-based and 20% field-basedThe OpportunityA long-established and growing construction contractor is seeking an experienced Electrical Project Manager to manage complex electrical construction projects throughout the Greater Chicago area.This is a hands-on, contractor-side position requiring direct experience with electrical substations, traction-power electrical systems, inside electrical construction, and power-distribution equipment.The Electrical Project Manager will take ownership of project financials, schedules, procurement, documentation, field coordination, testing, commissioning, and client relationships from preconstruction through closeout.This is not an electrical-design-only, facilities-maintenance, or general MEP-coordination position. The successful candidate must have directly managed electrical construction projects, field personnel, subcontractors, equipment procurement, and project profitability.What You’ll DoManage electrical construction projects from preconstruction and planning through execution, energization, commissioning, and closeoutLead electrical scopes involving substations, traction-power systems, inside electrical construction, and power distributionReview electrical drawings, specifications, one-line diagrams, equipment schedules, contracts, and project requirementsDevelop project budgets, cost reports, forecasts, billing schedules, pay applications, and profitability projectionsMaintain accurate real-time cost-versus-budget informationIdentify financial risks and implement corrective actions to protect project profitabilityDevelop and update baseline, look-ahead, procurement, installation, testing, and commissioning schedulesTrack project schedules against actual progress and implement recovery plans when necessaryManage electrical RFIs, submittals, shop drawings, material logs, change orders, and closeout documentationCoordinate long-lead electrical equipment and material procurementManage equipment and systems that may include transformers, switchgear, breakers, MCCs, panels, protective relays, controls, SCADA, grounding systems, conduit, cabling, and terminationsCoordinate electrical subcontractors, union electricians, foremen, suppliers, equipment manufacturers, engineers, and internal project teamsTrack estimated labor units, field hours, production rates, equipment requirements, and installation progressReview subcontractor proposals, scopes, exclusions, change requests, and invoicesLead change-order pricing, negotiations, documentation, and schedule-impact analysisCoordinate equipment installation, startup, testing, energization, commissioning, turnover, and operational readinessResolve design conflicts, equipment issues, procurement delays, field conditions, and installation challengesConduct project meetings and provide clear reporting on cost, schedule, safety, quality, procurement, and project risksMaintain strong relationships with clients, engineers, field leadership, subcontractors, suppliers, and internal teamsEnsure all electrical work complies with contract documents, applicable codes, quality requirements, and safety standardsSupport electrical safety planning, Job Hazard Analyses, lockout/tagout procedures, energized-work requirements, and commissioning plansMentor Project Engineers and Assistant Project Managers assigned to electrical projectsRequired QualificationsFive or more years of electrical construction project-management experienceContractor-side experience managing electrical construction projectsExperience managing electrical substations, traction-power electrical systems, inside electrical construction, or complex power-distribution projectsExperience managing electrical projects from preconstruction through testing, commissioning, and closeoutStrong knowledge of electrical equipment and systems, including several of the following:TransformersSwitchgearCircuit breakersMotor-control centersProtective relaysElectrical panelsGrounding systemsConduit and cablingControls and SCADAMedium-voltage distributionHigh-voltage distributionExperience managing project budgets, forecasting, billing, pay applications, change orders, procurement, and profitabilityExperience managing electrical subcontractors, field leadership, electricians, suppliers, and equipment manufacturersAbility to read electrical drawings, one-line diagrams, plans, specifications, equipment schedules, and contract documentsExperience coordinating long-lead electrical equipment and material deliveriesExperience managing electrical testing, energization, commissioning, turnover, and closeoutStrong client communication, leadership, organization, and problem-solving skillsAbility to work from a Greater Chicago-area office and visit project sites as requiredPreferred QualificationsExperience managing both substations and inside electrical constructionExperience with AC/DC traction-power or conversion substationsExperience managing medium- or high-voltage systemsExperience working with union electrical laborExperience with self-perform electrical constructionKnowledge of electrical labor units, productivity tracking, and field-production reportingExperience with design-build, progressive design-build, CM/GC, or EPC project deliveryExperience preparing or reviewing electrical estimates, takeoffs, buyout packages, and change-order pricingFamiliarity with electrical testing procedures, commissioning plans, relay testing, equipment startup, and system turnoverOSHA training and experience working around energized electrical systemsDegree in Construction Management, Electrical Engineering, or a related fieldPreferred Technology ExperiencePrimavera P6HCSS, HeavyJob, or HeavyBidProcoreBluebeame-BuilderMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft Excel, Word, and PowerPointCandidates with strong electrical construction experience who have not used every listed platform are still encouraged to apply.What We’re Looking ForThe ideal candidate is a hands-on electrical construction professional who enjoys being actively involved with clients, internal project teams, field personnel, subcontractors, and suppliers.This person should be capable of independently managing the financial, operational, contractual, and technical components of an electrical construction project. The successful candidate will understand how electrical projects are installed in the field—not simply how they are designed.Why Consider This Opportunity?Lead complex electrical construction projectsWork directly with experienced project and field leadershipRemain hands-on with clients, internal teams, subcontractors, and project executionJoin a collaborative and team-oriented construction organizationReceive professional-development and long-term advancement opportunitiesBuild a career across multiple electrical-construction specialtiesComprehensive medical, dental, vision, retirement, disability, and additional employee benefitsIf you have contractor-side electrical project-management experience involving substations, traction-power electrical systems, inside electrical construction, or complex power distribution, we would like to speak with you.