Transmission Line Project Manager

Project Manager – Transmission Line Design and Construction

This role leads complex transmission and distribution projects, with a strong emphasis on transmission line design management for large-scale electrical systems above 230 kV and up to 500 kV. The Project Manager provides both managerial and technical oversight across the full project lifecycle, ensuring that scope, schedule, and budget are effectively controlled while coordinating engineering design, land activities, construction, and overall project administration. The position operates in an owner's agent capacity, working closely with internal stakeholders and utility clients to deliver high-quality, compliant, and financially sound projects.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full project lifecycle, including initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure for assigned projects.
• Oversee project scope, schedule, and budget, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within financial targets.
• Lead the management of engineering design activities for high-voltage transmission and distribution projects, including coordination with internal and external design teams.
• Coordinate land-related activities, construction efforts, and overall project administration to ensure alignment with project goals and standards.
• Manage multiple projects typically lasting six months to two years, involving multi-departmental internal stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
• Work with leaders to determine project team resources and lead multidisciplinary teams of approximately five to ten people.
• Manage project budgets typically ranging from $500,000 to $10,000,000 across one to two business units, in accordance with defined project complexity guidelines.
• Develop comprehensive project execution plans that define scope, timelines, resources, risk mitigation strategies, and communication plans.
• Monitor project performance, track progress, and implement corrective actions to address deviations in scope, schedule, or budget.
• Coordinate and manage Requests for Proposals (RFPs), including preparation of documentation, evaluation of responses, and support in selection processes.
• Administer Requests for Information (RFIs) and Change Orders, ensuring proper documentation, review, and integration into project plans and budgets.
• Ensure compliance with design and construction standards, applicable codes, and internal procedures throughout the project lifecycle.
• Prepare and deliver clear, professional slide decks and presentations for mid-level and senior executives, communicating project status, risks, and results.
• Provide regular status updates and results to inter- and intra-departmental management, ensuring transparency and alignment with business objectives.
• Oversee construction documentation, document control processes, and project records to maintain accurate and auditable project files.
• Support estimation activities by providing project scope details, design assumptions, and construction inputs for budget development.
• Act as a polished and professional representative of the project team in meetings with executives, stakeholders, and external partners.
• Proactively identify project risks and opportunities, and implement strategies to manage risk and optimize project outcomes.
• Collaborate with engineering, construction, and business unit leaders to ensure that technical, financial, and operational objectives are met.

Essential Skills

• 5–15 years of project management experience with a strong focus on transmission and distribution projects for large utilities.
• Demonstrated experience managing high-voltage transmission and distribution projects, particularly for systems above 230 kV and up to 500 kV.
• Proven project management expertise, including managing scope, schedule, and budget across multiple concurrent projects.
• Construction management experience, including coordination of field activities, contractors, and construction documentation.
• Hands-on experience with Requests for Information (RFIs) and Change Orders, including documentation and integration into project plans.
• Strong knowledge of electrical projects, particularly high-voltage transmission and distribution systems.
• Project engineering and coordination skills, including collaboration with design engineers and technical specialists.
• Experience working in an owner's agent or similar role, representing the interests of the project owner or utility client.
• Strong presentation skills, with the ability to develop and deliver professional slide decks for high-level executives.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities, enabling clear interaction with stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to work effectively under stress and manage competing priorities in a dynamic project environment.
• Understanding of project scheduling tools such as Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project.
• Understanding of project financials, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams of approximately five to ten people across multiple departments.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience managing projects for large utility clients, particularly in transmission and distribution environments.
• Familiarity with project complexity frameworks and working within defined complexity guidelines.
• Experience with construction document preparation and review, including design and engineering documentation.
• Background in project coordination, document control, and estimation support for engineering and construction projects.
• Ability to develop comprehensive execution plans that integrate design, land, construction, and administrative activities.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail in documentation, reporting, and compliance.
• Professional demeanor and polish suitable for frequent interaction with mid-level and senior leadership.
• Interest in long-term career growth and willingness to build a future within the organization.
• Experience in an employee-owned or similar environment where ownership mindset and accountability are valued.

Work Environment

This role offers a blended work environment that includes remote, office, and on-site work. The position is open to candidates based in west and midwest regions, with the expectation that the Project Manager will travel to the primary project location for one week each month. Travel-related expenses such as flights and hotel accommodations are covered during these visits. Projects typically span six months to two years and involve coordination across one to two business units and multiple internal departments. The work includes regular collaboration with engineering, land, and construction teams, as well as interaction with mid-level and senior management. The organization operates as an employee-owned firm and offers stock potential as part of its benefits, along with paid time off, retirement contributions, and holiday pay. The environment emphasizes professionalism, accountability, and clear communication, with an expectation that team members present themselves in a polished and business-appropriate manner when engaging with executives and external stakeholders.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Phoenix, AZ.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $75.00 - $100.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 7, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity