Program and Project Manager - Hydroelectric Infrastructure

Job Description

Job Description

Senior Project Manager – Hydroelectric Infrastructure

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead a large-scale hydroelectric dam maintenance initiative from planning through execution. This highly visible leadership role will oversee critical infrastructure projects that support safe, reliable energy generation and delivery. The successful candidate will collaborate with cross-functional business teams, engineering staff, contractors, consultants, and regulatory agencies to ensure successful project outcomes in a highly regulated environment.

This position is ideal for a project management professional with extensive experience in hydroelectric facilities, dam maintenance and rehabilitation, marine construction, power generation, or other complex infrastructure projects requiring regulatory oversight and stakeholder coordination.

Key Responsibilities:

Project Leadership & Delivery:

• Lead large, complex hydroelectric dam maintenance and infrastructure projects through all phases of the project lifecycle, including initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closeout.
• Deliver projects on scope, schedule, budget, quality, and risk objectives using established project management methodologies and best practices.
• Define project requirements, business objectives, deliverables, and technical specifications while developing comprehensive project execution plans.
• Build and manage project teams by aligning resources, expertise, and organizational capabilities with project complexity and risk.

Contract & Construction Management:

• Manage project contracts and vendor relationships in partnership with procurement and sourcing teams.
• Oversee contractor performance, compliance, and commercial execution to ensure successful delivery.
• Ensure all work is completed safely, meets technical specifications, and adheres to contractual commitments and project schedules.
• Coordinate construction, maintenance, engineering, and operational activities throughout project execution.

Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management:

• Ensure projects comply with applicable regulatory requirements, including Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) standards and related industry regulations.
• Maintain complete and accurate project documentation, records, permits, and compliance files.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks while implementing effective risk management strategies.
• Support regulatory reviews, audits, reporting requirements, and stakeholder communications.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide clear and timely communication regarding project status, risks, milestones, decisions, and performance.
• Coordinate effectively with engineering teams, operations personnel, contractors, consultants, regulatory agencies, and executive leadership.
• Foster strong working relationships and facilitate collaboration across multiple business units and project stakeholders.

Project Controls & Closeout:

• Establish project performance metrics, reporting processes, and governance practices.
• Conduct project feasibility assessments, cost-benefit analyses, and business case evaluations.
• Lead project closeout activities, including operational turnover, financial reconciliation, documentation completion, and resource transitions.
• Support organizational project management initiatives and mentor team members in project delivery and change management practices.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related technical discipline.
• Project Management Professional ( PMP ) certification.
• Minimum of 9 years of experience leading large, complex infrastructure, construction, maintenance, engineering, or energy-related projects.
• Proven experience managing projects in regulated environments.
• Experience with dam maintenance, heavy civil construction, marine construction, hydroelectric facilities, power generation, or similar critical infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated success managing project scope, budgets, schedules, contracts, and risks.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Structural, or Mechanical Engineering.
• Professional Engineer ( PE ) licensure, preferably in Wisconsin.
• Dam Safety Engineer ( DSE ) background or related dam safety experience.
• Experience working with FERC regulations and hydroelectric infrastructure.
• Knowledge of utility, energy generation, or large-scale public infrastructure projects.