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 OEMsOversee 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