Senior Project Manager - Large Utility-Scale BESS

Advance Careers | Powered by Brunel; Sydney; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Advance Careers | Powered by Brunel is seeking a project leader to manage utility-scale battery energy storage solutions across Australia. The role covers early development through pre-construction phases, interfacing with customers, engineering teams, EPCs, consultants and network operators.

You will oversee planning, coordination, grid connection support and risk mitigation to keep projects advancing efficiently.

Qualifications

• Experience managing projects in BESS, renewable energy, power systems or similar engineering environments.
• Proven track record delivering projects from planning through handover.
• Excellent stakeholder management and negotiation skills.
• Strong scheduling, budgeting, risk, contract administration and change management capabilities.
• Familiarity with Australian electrical infrastructure, grid connection requirements and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead full lifecycle management for utility-scale BESS projects, from kick-off to handover.
• Develop and manage schedules, budgets, resources and risk registers.
• Coordinate with customers, EPC contractors, consultants and internal teams for seamless execution.
• Oversee delivery and integration of battery energy storage systems per technical and contractual scope.
• Manage interfaces between battery systems, power conversion equipment, EMS, SCADA and balance-of-plant assets.
• Lead meetings, report progress, risks, costs and deliverables to stakeholders.
• Coordinate testing, commissioning, defect resolution and final customer handover.

Job description

A global energy technology company delivering advanced battery energy storage solutions across utility-scale renewable energy projects. With a strong focus on innovation, safety, and grid integration, our technologies support the transition toward cleaner, more reliable energy systems worldwide.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Projects, this role will be responsible for managing projects through the early development and pre-construction phases, acting as the primary interface between customers, internal engineering teams, EPC contractors, consultants, network operators, and project stakeholders. The successful candidate will oversee project planning, technical coordination, grid connection support, commercial management, and risk mitigation activities to ensure projects progress efficiently.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the full project lifecycle for utility-scale BESS projects, from project kick-off and planning through to equipment delivery, installation, commissioning and handover.
• Develop and manage project schedules, budgets, resource plans, delivery milestones and risk registers.
• Coordinate with customers, EPC contractors, subcontractors, consultants and internal engineering teams to ensure effective project execution.
• Oversee the delivery and integration of battery energy storage systems, ensuring alignment with technical specifications, contractual scope and customer requirements.
• Manage project interfaces across battery systems, power conversion equipment, energy management systems, SCADA and other balance-of-plant components, as applicable.
• Monitor project performance, proactively resolve delivery challenges and implement mitigation plans to minimise delays and cost overruns.
• Manage contractual obligations, variations, change requests, procurement interfaces and commercial risks.
• Ensure compliance with relevant Australian standards, project safety requirements, quality procedures and applicable regulatory obligations.
• Lead project meetings and provide regular reporting on progress, risks, costs, schedule and key deliverables to internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate testing, commissioning, defect resolution, documentation and final customer handover.
• Capture lessons learned and drive continuous improvement across project delivery processes.

About You

• Demonstrated experience in project management within BESS, renewable energy, power systems, electrical engineering or other complex engineering environments.
• Proven ability to manage projects across the full lifecycle, from planning and equipment delivery through to installation, commissioning and handover.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders, including customers, EPC contractors, engineering consultants, subcontractors and equipment suppliers.
• Understanding of utility-scale BESS architecture and the interfaces between battery systems, power conversion systems, EMS, SCADA and balance-of-plant equipment.
• Strong capabilities in project scheduling, budget control, risk management, contract administration and change management.
• Familiarity with Australian electrical infrastructure, grid connection requirements, safety standards and project compliance processes.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• A proactive, commercially minded approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities and drive projects towards successful completion.
• Willingness to travel to project sites across Australia as required.