Project Manager

Project Manager – Front-End Procurement & EPC Contracts (W-2 Consulting) Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid) Position Type: 6-Month Contract (Multi-Year Footprint; Continuous Rolling Extensions & Permanent Conversion Track) Compensation: $75.00 – $100.00 / hour (W-2 Payroll) We are looking for a commercially sharp, execution-focused Project Manager to take full front-end ownership of utility-scale capital portfolios. In this role, you will bypass corporate red tape and manage lease-vs-build entry portfolios where individual project budgets scale up to $100M across Transmission and Battery Storage networks. This is an extended, hourly W-2 consulting engagement backed by a multi-year project footprint. Because we require plug-and-play expertise to manage these front-end initiatives, this position is backed by an elevated hourly contract premium scaled specifically to outperform standard permanent corporate salary bounds. Key Accountabilities Contract Negotiation : Own the front-end preparation, evaluation, and negotiation of Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) agreements and stakeholder contracts. Procurement Planning : Lead procurement planning and strategic bidding processes to align contractors, major electrical equipment, and project materials to core milestones. Pre-Construction Execution : Drive project life cycle components—including initial scope development, cost estimating, and project initiation criteria—before boots hit the ground. Financial Control : Manage, monitor, and control capital expenditure budgets touching $100M, tracking financial analysis indicators and mitigating cost runaways. Regulatory & Risk Management : Navigate land easement requirements, regulatory compliance, and utility interconnection logistics while driving active risk-mitigation plans. Minimum Qualifications Experience : 5 to 7 years of progressive project management experience leading utility infrastructure builds, major electrical distribution systems, or oil and gas pipeline capital projects. Commercial Expertise : Proven track record running front-end procurement, evaluating supplier bid packages, and managing high-stakes contract or lease negotiations. Project Leadership : Demonstrated success leading multi-disciplined teams of engineers, legal counsel, and outside consulting groups. Education : Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related technical/legal field. #J-18808-Ljbffr