Utilities Project Manager

OverviewThe Utilities Project Manager is responsible for planning, managing, and delivering utility infrastructure projects across the portfolio, ensuring completion within established timelines, budgets, and applicable requirements. This role oversees defined-scope projects from initiation through closeout, including project planning, scheduling, permitting, procurement, vendor and contractor coordination, budget management, risk mitigation, and quality oversight. With a strong focus on the water meter installation program, the Utilities Project Manager is accountable for meeting critical installation milestones and supporting the seamless transition of completed and commissioned projects to the Utilities Program Manager for ongoing operational oversight and performance monitoring.Job DutiesBuilds and maintains detailed project schedules for metering and utility infrastructure installations, including milestones, dependencies, and the critical path. (Essential)Manages critical installation timelines and sequences work by geography, season, and operational requirements to ensure project milestones and deadlines are achieved. (Essential)Develops the project plan for each initiative, including scope, deliverables, budget, timeline, and success criteria, and secures alignment before work begins. (Essential)Tracks permit status site by site, owns the permitting workflow, and drives resolution of permitting blockers ahead of scheduled installations. (Essential)Manages the procurement of materials, equipment, and utility components to ensure availability aligns with project schedules and installation timelines. (Essential)Coordinates installation vendors, contractors, and field crews day to day to keep projects on schedule, on scope, and on budget. (Essential)Runs recurring project check-ins, publishes agendas and notes, and tracks action items and decisions to closure.Monitors installation quality against standards and manages punch lists and rework with vendors.Tracks project budget against plan, flags variances early, and manages change orders.Maintains a project risk and issue register, proactively identifying potential impacts to schedule, budget, scope, and permitting requirements and driving mitigation and resolution efforts through completion.Reports project status, milestones, risks, and forecast to the Director and Vice President on a recurring cadence.Coordinates with community management on installation logistics and resident-facing impacts.Completes structured project closeout for each site, including verification that installed meters are reading correctly at commissioning.Facilitates the handoff of completed and commissioned sites to the Utilities Program Manager for ongoing operational management and documents lessons learned to support continuous improvement and future project success.Other duties and special projects as assigned.RequirementsHigh School Diploma or GED (Required)Bachelor's Degree in Business, Construction Management, or Engineering (Preferred)3 years in project management experience in field-based installation, construction, or infrastructure projects (Preferred)Demonstrated experience building and holding a schedule to firm deadlines across multiple concurrent sitesExperience coordinating vendors, contractors, or field crews against a plan, including managing quality and change ordersFamiliarity with permitting processes and municipal/utility coordinationBudget management experience (tracking project spend against plan and managing variances)Project management certification (PMP, CAPM, or equivalent)Excellent written and verbal communication skillsAdvanced computer proficiency with the ability to use Microsoft Office Suite applications, project scheduling tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet, Wrike), email, and internet-based applicationsHighly organized and detail-orientedStrong organizational and analytical skillsMust have a valid driver's licenseKnowledge of project management tools and proceduresBENEFITSAt Sun Communities, you will be part of an industry-leading organization where you will be challenged, inspired, rewarded and transformed. We place a high priority on our team members, and this is a big part of what sets us apart. We will ask you to give us your very best every day, and will challenge you with interesting work, stretch assignments, a collaborative and supportive work environment and plenty of learning and growth. In exchange, we will reward you with great pay, advancement opportunities, paid time off, great benefits, and flexibility.Comprehensive Medical and Prescription coverage with 4 plan options so you can choose the plan that best meets the needs of you and your familyComprehensive Dental and Vision PlansOn-Site Fitness CenterVoluntary Health and Dependent Care Reimbursement AccountsLife, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance and Dependent LifeShort and Long-Term Disability Coverage401(k) Plan with Sun matching contributionEmployee Assistance ProgramIdentity Theft InsuranceLegal Assistance PlanPet InsuranceTuition Reimbursement program providing financial support to team members who further their formal educationVacation RV Site Discounts for team members when visiting Sun resorts across the nationTeam Member Perks & Discounts program with hundreds of discounts on things like travel, merchandise, mobile phone service, and moreUp to six weeks of paid parental leave for the birth of a child, adoption, or placement of a childPaid Time Off including ten holidays, vacation, personal, sick time, bereavement and pay for jury dutyApply for a Corporate Headquarters (HQ) position, located in the Metro Detroit, Michigan market today.Join our Talent Community and explore Corporate Headquarters jobs at Sun Communities.