Lead Project Manager
Summary
Leads a team of project managers overseeing complex switchgear manufacturing projects, ensuring on-time delivery, quality, and compliance with electrical standards while mentoring staff.
Job Summary
The Lead Project Manager provides hands-on, day-to-day supervision and technical leadership of the Project Management team. Acting as the department's subject-matter expert on project management processes, and bringing hands-on experience and a strong working understanding of electrical power distribution equipment, this role directs and oversees the team's daily work, owns project assignment, serves as the first point of escalation for project and team issues, and champions the rollout and adoption of standardized project management practices. In addition to leading the team, the Lead Project Manager personally manages a portfolio of the most complex and strategic switchgear manufacturing projects, setting the technical and execution standard and mentoring fellow Project Managers to ensure consistent, high-quality delivery.
Key Responsibilities
Team Supervision & Day-to-Day Team Leadership
- Provide direct, day-to-day supervision of the Project Management team, directing, assigning, and overseeing daily work and project execution.
- Provide performance input, coaching, and feedback to Project Managers.
- Guide and mentor Project Managers on project execution, customer engagement, technical problem-solving, and standardized practices.
- Model and reinforce a collaborative, accountable team culture aligned with company values and quality expectations.
Project Assignment & Workload Balancing
- Assign incoming projects to Project Managers based on complexity, capacity, skill set, and customer relationship.
- Monitor team workload and rebalance assignments to maintain on-time delivery and an even distribution of effort.
- Coordinate with the Director of PMO on resourcing needs, assignment priorities, and capacity constraints.
Technical Knowledge & Support
- Apply hands-on experience and a strong working knowledge of electrical power distribution equipment rated 480V and above, including low- and medium-voltage switchgear, switchboards, circuit breakers, protective relays, and transformers, to guide the team and support project execution.
- Read and interpret electrical one-line diagrams, schematics, wiring diagrams, and complex construction drawings to guide project execution and support the team.
- Ensure projects meet applicable NEMA and IEEE standards, UL listings, and National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements, coordinating with Engineering and Quality as needed.
- Oversee and coordinate Factory Testing (FT) milestones with Project Managers and clients to confirm compliance with utility and industrial standards.
- Anticipate and mitigate risks tied to long-lead electrical components such as breakers, relays, and transformers in partnership with Supply Chain.
Process Expertise, Rollout & Adoption
- Serve as the department's subject-matter expert on project management processes, procedures, tools, and templates.
- Maintain, document, and refine standard work and best practices for the Project Management function.
- Support the rollout of new and revised project management processes, systems, and tools.
- Drive adoption by training the team, answering questions, and reinforcing standardized practices in daily work.
- Gather feedback from Project Managers, identify gaps, and recommend process improvements to the Director of PMO.
Escalation & Issue Resolution
- Act as the first point of escalation for project issues, cross-functional conflicts, and team questions.
- Triage escalated issues, resolve them where possible, and elevate to the Director of PMO when appropriate.
- Step in to support at-risk projects, providing guidance or direct involvement to keep delivery on track.
Project Portfolio Management
- Manage the lifecycle of a portfolio of complex, high-value, and strategic switchgear manufacturing projects from initiation through closure.
- Coordinate cross-functional teams, including Engineering, Production, Procurement, and Sales, and monitor progress against milestones, budget, and schedule.
- Manage the change control process and ensure adherence to specifications, quality, and regulatory standards.
Communication & Stakeholder Management
- Serve as a senior point of contact for key customers and internal stakeholders regarding project status and escalations.
- Facilitate clear, effective communication across Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, and Sales.
Risk Management & Safety
- Proactively identify, analyze, and mitigate project and process risks to prevent schedule delays or budget overruns.
- Comply with all company safety policies and procedures.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Minimum of 7 years of project management experience in a technical manufacturing environment, preferably within the electrical switchgear, power distribution, or electrical construction industry.
- Hands-on experience with and a strong working understanding of electrical power distribution equipment rated 480V and higher, including low- and medium-voltage switchgear, switchboards, breakers, protective relays, and transformers.
- Demonstrated experience leading, mentoring, or coaching other Project Managers, or serving as a team or technical lead.
- Proven track record owning or improving project management processes and driving adoption across a team.
- Ability to read and interpret electrical one-lines, schematics, engineering drawings, and customer specifications.
- Working knowledge of NEMA/IEEE standards, UL listings, and the National Electrical Code (NEC).
Preferred Qualifications
- Field experience across electrical contracting, equipment installation, and end-user/operations environments.
- Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Technical Management, or a related technical field.
- PMP or equivalent certification (CAPM, PRINCE2, etc.).