Project Manager (Substations)

Valard Group of Companies

• $110K — $150K *
Energy & Utilities
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Post-secondary education in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
  • 5+ years of project management experience in utility-scale construction, specifically on substations (115 kV and above).
  • Proven track record managing projects valued between $10M-$100M+.
  • Familiarity with regulatory environments across Canada, including IESO market rules and ESA.
  • Strong skills in contract administration and change management.

Responsibilities

  • Lead project execution from kickoff to closeout for substation projects up to 500 kV.
  • Develop and manage the project execution plan, including procurement and construction sequencing.
  • Promote a strong safety culture and enforce safety standards to achieve zero incidents.
  • Direct site teams to ensure project delivery aligns with schedule and budget.
  • Oversee project financials, including forecasting and cost reporting.
  • Identify and mitigate project risks while managing change orders and negotiations.
  • Serve as the primary contact for clients and stakeholders, coordinating necessary interfaces.

Benefits

  • 5% RRSP matching program to support retirement savings.
  • Comprehensive employee benefits package for health and wellbeing.
  • Opportunities for career advancement based on qualifications and experience.
  • Human-reviewed hiring process, ensuring personalized attention to applications.
Full Job Description
Our Substations group is currently looking to add a Project Manager to our growing team, based in either Calgary, AB or Markham, ON.

Reporting to the Senior Project Manager, we are seeking an experienced and results-driven Project Manager to lead the full lifecycle delivery of substation projects across Canada. This role owns safety, schedule, cost, quality, and client relationship outcomes from contract handover through commissioning and closeout. The successful candidate is a proven builder with hands-on EPC or construction-managed substation experience who is ready to own a project end-to-end inside a top-tier utility contractor.

Please Note: This position requires ~25% travel to active project sites across Canada.
Duties and Responsibilities

Project Delivery & Execution
  • Lead project execution from kickoff through energization and closeout for substation (up to 500 kV) and interconnection scopes
  • Own the project execution plan including procurement, subcontracting, construction sequencing, commissioning, and turnover
  • Drive site safety culture in partnership with HSE; enforce Valard, Quanta, and client safety standards with a target of zero recordable incidents
  • Direct site superintendents, field engineers, foremen, and subcontractors to deliver to schedule and budget

Cost, Schedule & Risk
  • Own project financials including forecast at completion, earned value, and monthly cost reporting
  • Develop and maintain the project schedule in Primavera P6; lead critical-path narrative and recovery planning as required
  • Identify, log, quantify, and mitigate project risks; lead change order origination, negotiation, and execution
  • Manage cash flow, billings, and progress claims in coordination with project controls and finance

Client & Stakeholder Management
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for the client, engineer-of-record, and key subcontractors
  • Coordinate interfaces with customers, AHJs, Indigenous communities, landowners, and regulatory bodies as required
  • Lead project meetings, deliver monthly client reports, and represent Valard in executive and ownership reviews

Quality & Compliance
  • Ensure compliance with the Electrical Safety Codes, standards, and client-specific specifications
  • Oversee QA/QC program execution, NCR resolution, and commissioning and turnover package preparation

Requirements
  • Post-Secondary education in Engineering, Construction Management, or an equivalent technical discipline
  • 5 years of progressive project management experience in utility-scale construction with a clear track record on substations (115 kV and above)
  • an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be considered
  • Demonstrated experience leading projects of $10M-$100M+ in value as the accountable Project Manager
  • Working knowledge of regulatory environments across Canada including IESO market rules, interconnection requirements, ESA, and OHSA
  • Strong commercial acumen in contract administration, change management, and claims
  • Valid driver's license and ability to travel to project sites

Preferred Skills / Qualifications
  • P.Eng. or PMP designation
  • Previous experience with a tier-one utility contractor or EPC organization
  • Experience delivering AIS/GIS substations, transformer installations, protection and control scope, and high-voltage commissioning interfaces

Benefits

This position offers a salary range of $110,000 - $150,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.

We offer a comprehensive and competitive total rewards package that incorporates a complete range of employee benefits, including a 5% RRSP matching program, to ensure you have the tools necessary to manage, maintain, and improve your health and wellbeing.

* Depending on qualifications, the successful candidate may be offered a position at a more appropriate level.

* Applicants must have legal authorization to work in Canada with no restrictions.

* We do not use automated tools to screen applications. All hiring decisions involve human review. This job posting is for an existing vacancy.

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