Senior Project Manager

Position OverviewPower your future with Qualus as a Senior Project Manager. The Senior Project Manager is a highly skilled, hands-on technical leader who will lead complex software and integration projects for leading utility customers across the United States and Canada. Project Managers at Qualus blend traditional PM discipline with utility-specific regulatory, operational, and vendor complexity. This role leads the day-to-day execution of projects ensuring they're delivered efficiently and to the highest standards. The incumbent must possess a strong technical background and extensive experience in both project leadership and utility operations to help guide projects to successful completion. The Project Manager is accountable for delivery governance and execution, while coordinating internal utility teams, system integrators, and third-party vendors.ResponsibilitiesLead the successful execution of electrical utility technology projects related to ADMS, OMS, EMS and DERMS operational control systems. Act as a client interface, from initial assessment and qualification of project opportunities to handling correspondence, inquiries, and submittals. Ensure project success through detailed planning and compliance, which involves reviewing and briefing stakeholders on all project specifications, instructions, and contractual requirements, as well as organizing bids. Project Governance & Delivery Management Own the project plan, schedule, budget, and milestonesEstablish and enforce project governanceCoordinate across IT, OT, cybersecurity, operations, and complianceManage dependencies across multiple programsEnsure alignment with internal and utility PMO standardsScope, Schedule & Cost Control Drive project execution and resource coordination by maintaining and overseeing schedules Ensure delivery team and customer align with project scope Tightly track and forecast operating budgets Manage not-to-exceed (NTE) and time-and-materials (T&M) contractsProvide accurate and timely resource demand forecasts and financial variance reportingManage change control and scope creepRisk, Issue & Dependency Management Identify and manage project, technical, and operational risksMaintain risk and issue logs with mitigation plansManage cross-system and cross-program dependenciesTesting & Quality Assurance Oversight Oversee SIT, UAT, performance, and security testingTrack defects and readiness criteriaEnforce go-live readiness gatesStakeholder & Communication Management Manage a wide range of stakeholdersParticipate in regular Production/Client Meetings to ensure alignment and address ongoing project needs. Lead status meetings, steering committees, and executive updatesTranslate technical issues into business impactsManage expectations across competing prioritiesQualificationsCore Project Management CompetenciesMastery of scope, schedule, cost, and risk managementStrong change control and dependency managementExperience with large, multi-year, multi-vendor programsAbility to accurately manage project budgetsProject Management Tools & CertificationsCapable of accurately managing project schedules, resource allocations and project dependencies using Microsoft ProjectAbove average ability to perform advanced project financial analysis using Microsoft Excel and other internal toolsPMP CertificationUtility & Industry KnowledgeUnderstanding of electric utility operations (Transmission, Distribution, Generation, Customer Operations)Familiarity with IT/OT convergencePower Control Systems Software & Integration LiteracyIn depth understanding of project delivery methodologies (Waterfall, Agile, Hybrid) as it relates to power control systemsAbility to manage/oversee complex integrations through coordination with technical delivery leads and customer architectsUnderstanding of APIs, message queues, batch interfacesExperience coordinating system integration, user acceptance and other key testing stage gatesLeadership & Behavioral CompetenciesLeads without direct authorityAbility to communicate effectively with internal teams and customers High accountability and ownership mindsetStrong conflict resolution and negotiation skillsDecisive but collaborativeResilient in bureaucratic environmentsCustomer Account Management & Relationship DevelopmentAbility to build and sustain trusted, long-term relationships with utility stakeholdersActs as an accountable point of contact across delivery, governance, and issue resolutionDemonstrates a strong understanding of the utility’s business drivers, constraints, and strategic prioritiesPositions self and organization as a solution provider, not just a delivery resourceProactively identifies additional needs, risks, or improvement opportunities during deliveryCommercial & Growth-Oriented Capabilities:Recognizes and communicates new sales opportunitiesPartners with business development and sales teams to shape opportunitiesProvides delivery-informed input for proposals and statements of work.Educat