Control Center Modernization Program Manager

Elia Grid International (EGI); Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 450,000 - 650,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Permanent contract

Attractive salary package & fringe ben

Exciting, international environment

Training, personal development &growth

Job summary

Elia Grid International (EGI) is seeking a strategic Program Manager to lead end-to-end EMS and ADMS implementation programs. You will be the single point of accountability for integrating both platforms within the utility’s control center and field environments, coordinating across engineering, IT/OT, vendors, and internal teams.

With 15+ years in large-scale utility modernization, you will manage governance, risk, and milestones, ensuring on-time delivery within budget and scope.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, or relevant technical field.
• 15+ years of experience managing large-scale utility modernization programs
• Strong understanding of grid operations, system modelling, real-time applications, and utility business processes.
• PMP or PRINCE2 certification preferred; Agile/SAFe knowledge a plus.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Fluent in English.

Responsibilities

• Lead overall program planning and scheduling for parallel EMS and ADMS implementation streams.
• Establish program charters, governance structures, risk management plans, and milestone tracking.
• Ensure on-time, within-budget, and scope-compliant delivery across EMS and ADMS tracks.
• Coordinate with vendors delivering EMS/ADMS solutions.
• Manage external interfaces including SCADA, DERMS, cybersecurity teams, substations, and system operators.
• Facilitate alignment between internal stakeholders and external implementation teams.
• Oversee model management (CIM, topology, signal lists) and data migration plans.
• Monitor testing phases (FAT/SAT), cutover plans, and operational readiness assessments.
• Drive compliance with regulatory frameworks and cybersecurity standards.

Skills

Program management

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

English fluency

PMP/PRINCE2

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical Engineering

Job description

Who we are

Elia Grid International (EGI) is a global engineering consultancy company, part of Elia Group (Belgium) and 50Hertz (Germany), specialising in complex power system challenges. Our goal is to provide high-quality solutions for the challenges of the energy transition. Our multidisciplinary team of experts offer strategic, technical, and regulatory advice in all fields related to power transmission, as well as a range of specialist solutions to a diverse and international client base in the power sector.

Elia Grid International has offices in Belgium, Germany, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Malaysia and Canada.

Your function

EGI wishes to reinforce its team working on Smart Grids Design & Digitalization. We are seeking a strategic and experienced Program Manager to oversee the end-to-end planning, execution, and delivery of Energy Management System (EMS) and Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) implementation programs. The ideal candidate will act as the single point of accountability for integrating both platforms within the utility’s control center and field environments. This cross-functional leadership role requires strong coordination across engineering, IT/OT, vendors, and internal functional departments.

Typical activities involve (but are not limited to):

Program Governance & Execution

• Lead overall program planning and scheduling for parallel EMS and ADMS implementation streams.
• Establish program charters, governance structures, risk management plans, and milestone tracking.
• Ensure on-time, within-budget, and scope-compliant delivery across both EMS and ADMS tracks.

Vendor & Stakeholder Management

• Coordinate with vendors delivering EMS/ADMS solutions.
• Manage external interfaces including SCADA, DERMS, cybersecurity teams, substations, and system operators.
• Facilitate alignment between internal stakeholders (transmission, distribution, IT/OT, operations) and external implementation teams.

Technical Oversight & Integration

• Support technical leads in ensuring seamless integration of EMS with ADMS, SCADA, OMS, DERMS, and planning tools.
• Oversee model management (CIM, topology, signal lists) and data migration plans between legacy and new systems.
• Monitor testing phases (FAT/SAT), cutover plans, and operational readiness assessments.

Compliance, Cybersecurity & Quality

• Ensure adherence to regulatory frameworks (e.g., NERC CIP, FERC Order 2222, IEC 61850, IEEE 1547, OpenADR).
• Oversee implementation of cybersecurity frameworks and OT/IT policy integration.
• Drive quality assurance across program lifecycle and maintain comprehensive documentation.

Change Management & Communication

• Develop and execute change management strategy for operators, engineers, and IT teams.
• Conduct program-level reporting, steering committee updates, and stakeholder workshops.
• Oversee training rollout, knowledge transfer, and post-implementation support planning.

Your responsibilities will be decided based on your competencies and expertise and will be discussed during your interviews with managers.

Your profile

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, or relevant technical field.
• 15+ years of experience managing large-scale utility modernization programs
• Strong understanding of grid operations, system modelling, real-time applications, and utility business processes.
• PMP or PRINCE2 certification is preferred; Agile/SAFe knowledge is a plus.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Fluent in English;

What we offer

• Permanent contract;
• Attractive salary package and an extensive array of fringe benefits;
• Exciting, professional and international environment in a fast-growing company;
• Unique training, personal development and growth opportunities;

At EGI, we value diversity and inclusion. We are firmly committed to promoting gender equality in all aspects of our organization, from recruitment to professional development. We believe that diverse teams are more creative, innovative, and high-performing. Join us to contribute to an environment where everyone has equal opportunities for growth and fulfilment.

Choose EGI and help us guide the worldwide power sector into a future of clean and sustainable energy, smarter and more flexible grids, decentralised production and HVDC systems that span across seas and land to interconnect countries, regions, and different energy markets for the benefit of generations to come.

Location

Abu Dhabi– Mobility required: 30% worldwide (willingness to travel abroad for international assignments depending on the business development or project needs).

Want to know more about us?

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