About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager - Electrical to serve in an Owner's Representative capacity with deep technical expertise in electrical systems to lead complex capital and facilities projects from inception through final closeout.
This role provides full cradle-to-grave oversight of highly technical projects-including power systems, electrical distribution, and critical electrical infrastructure-across planning, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and turnover, including Level 5 (integrated systems) commissioning. The position ensures strict adherence to scope, schedule, budget, safety, and quality standards while representing the owner's interests throughout the full lifecycle.
You will act as the owner's advocate and technical authority, coordinating designers, contractors, commissioning agents, vendors, and stakeholders. The role requires independent leadership, rigorous technical review, and the ability to ensure systems are delivered, tested, and proven to perform under real-world operating conditions.
What You'll Do
Project Leadership & Delivery (Cradle-to-Grave Owner's Rep)
- Lead end-to-end delivery of electrical infrastructure projects, covering:
inception, feasibility, design, procurement, construction, commissioning (Levels 1-5), and closeout
- Serve as the primary point of accountability for owner requirements, scope, schedule, budget, quality, and risk
- Oversee project planning, execution, and controls from early concept through operational turnover
- Identify and mitigate technical, commercial, and operational risks across all phases
- Drive disciplined change management with clear scope validation and owner approval
Technical Oversight (Electrical - Owner Review)
- Provide independent oversight for:
- Electrical distribution systems and utilities
- Power infrastructure and upgrades
- Switchgear, generators, and backup power
- UPS systems and critical power environments
- Lighting and control systems
- Review and validate lifecycle deliverables, including:
- Design documents (concept through IFC)
- Submittals and shop drawings
- RFIs and contractor clarifications
- Commissioning (Cx) plans, Level 1-5 test scripts, and integrated testing procedures
- Ensure alignment with owner project requirements (OPR), basis of design (BOD), performance criteria, and industry standards
- Evaluate constructability, installation sequencing, and system integration risks
- Challenge consultants and contractors to ensure technical accuracy and long-term reliability
Commissioning & Integrated Systems Testing (Level 1-5)
- Provide owner-side oversight for full commissioning lifecycle (Levels 1-5):
- Level 1-2: Factory acceptance testing (FAT) and site acceptance testing (SAT)
- Level 3: Pre-functional and functional testing of individual components
- Level 4: System-level commissioning and verification
- Level 5: Integrated systems testing (IST) under simulated or real operating conditions, validating end-to-end performance of electrical systems
- Review, validate, and approve Level 5 commissioning scripts to ensure:
- Cross-system integration (e.g., utility generator switchgear UPS distribution)
- Failure scenario testing (power loss, transfer sequences, redundancy validation)
- Operational resilience and reliability under load conditions
- Witness and validate execution of IST and critical scenario testing
- Ensure all deficiencies are tracked, resolved, and retested to closure
- Confirm systems meet availability, redundancy, and performance requirements prior to acceptance
- Validate final turnover documentation including:
- Commissioning reports and test results
Contractor & Vendor Management
- Support procurement including RFP review and technical bid evaluation
- Oversee contractor, vendor, and commissioning agent performance on behalf of the owner
- Lead design reviews, construction progress meetings, and commissioning readiness reviews
- Ensure compliance with technical specifications and commissioning requirements
- Escalate risks and performance issues to protect owner interests
Client & Stakeholder Management
- Act as a trusted advisor to the owner across the full lifecycle
- Provide executive-level updates on project status, risks, and commissioning readiness
- Coordinate across engineering, facilities, operations, and leadership teams
- Represent the owner during design reviews, commissioning activities, IST execution, and audits
Financial & Schedule Oversight
- Manage and validate budgets, forecasts, and cost impacts from inception through closeout
- Review contractor change orders and invoices for accuracy and justification
- Track schedule performance including commissioning and IST milestones
- Identify recovery strategies for delays impacting critical testing or turnover
PMO Standards & Governance
- Ensure compliance with PMO, owner, and regulatory requirements
- Maintain detailed records including commissioning logs, test results, and deficiency tracking
- Support audits, lessons learned, and continuous improvement initiatives
- Contribute to Owner's Rep best practices, particularly in Level 5 commissioning execution
Required Qualifications
- 7-10+ years of experience in an Owner's Rep, consulting, or oversight role for electrical projects
- Proven experience managing cradle-to-grave delivery, including commissioning and turnover
- Strong expertise in electrical systems with the ability to review drawings, submittals, and Level 1-5 commissioning scripts
- Demonstrated experience supporting integrated systems testing (Level 5 / IST) in mission-critical or complex environments
- Experience with contracts, change management, cost controls, and scheduling
- Strong stakeholder and contractor management skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field
- Experience with mission-critical electrical infrastructure (e.g., data centers, healthcare, industrial power systems)
- Deep familiarity with Level 5 commissioning, redundancy validation, and failure scenario testing
- PMP or similar certification
- OSHA or safety training
- Experience in regulated or audit-driven environments
