Senior Substation Project Manager

Job Description

WSP is seeking a Substation Project Manager for our Power & Energy Management Team. The successful candidate will manage technical, schedule, quality, and financial aspects of Power and Energy Substation projects, develop client relationships, and market WSP’s Power Delivery services to existing and new clients, primarily in the South and Southwest Region. This position will be based out of Houston, TX, Austin, TX, or Fort Worth, TX, with the ability to work remotely from any mutually acceptable location.

Travel to a WSP and/or client office for periodic face‑to‑face meetings is required.

Provides project management for the development, execution, management, control and monitoring of high voltage and EHV substation projects in support of company, regional, and national business line goals. Ensures responsibilities throughout the project lifecycle—proposal phase, planning and project startup, project execution, reporting, and project closeout—are adhered to, delivered, and audited with a level of quality that meets or exceeds corporate and client project excellence and delivery standards.

Provides innovation, administration, and pragmatic direction to address current and future project management challenges in a rapidly changing and complex business and operations climate.

• Provide PM leadership for small, medium, and large scale/high‑voltage and EHV substation projects, supporting detailed design, budgeting, forecasting, margin and KPI monitoring, risk contingency management, and contractual obligations to deliver projects or assigned portfolios.
• Develop and foster strategies to engage stakeholders, maintain relationships, and report on project progress.
• Provide guidance on pursuit/initiation activities, including Go/No‑Go decisions, contract reviews, risk mitigation, and pricing reviews.
• Participate in and sometimes lead contract negotiations and client presentations.
• Drive technical reviews, select appropriate staff, and ensure adherence to the QA/QC plan.
• Contribute high‑level strategic advice to clients through verbal and written input.
• Manage and provide performance guidance to assigned staff.
• Maintain system and process documentation (Risk, Project Management Plan, Project Quality Plan, Project Safety, Communications Plan).
• Lead project kick‑off meetings with key stakeholders.
• Coordinate with area and technical managers on resource and subcontracting needs.
• Maintain regular client communications, reporting on monthly status, safety incidents, and major issues.
• Participate in problem‑project reviews, provide root‑cause analysis, and help develop recovery plans.
• Deliver regular project reporting to clients, technical areas, and business unit managers.
• Complete formal project closeout activities and facilitate lessons‑learned meetings.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary professionals to provide trusted advisor services and future‑ready solutions.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision‑making regarding company funds and conduct, adhering to WSP’s Code of Conduct.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

We are looking for a proactive leader with strong technical knowledge and a track record of managing complex substation projects.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field within the Power & Energy Market.
• 12 years of post‑education experience in a project management role in the Power Delivery/Utility Industry.
• Minimum of 5 years of applicable industry experience working for, or providing engineering services to, IOUs, IPPs, Co‑Ops, Munis, etc.
• Minimum of 5 years leading engineering and/or construction teams on medium to large electrical utility scale high‑voltage or extra‑high‑voltage substation projects.
• Knowledge and experience with project management processes and tools, including:
  • Contract Management
  • External and Internal Team Meeting Management
  • Earned Value Management
  • Change Management
  • Risk Management
  • Schedule Management (e.g., CPM project schedules such as Primavera P6 or equivalent)
  • Financial Management
• Highly proficient understanding of project delivery process within…