Lead Project Manager - Electrical Utilities

MatchBox Consulting Group; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation package

Extended health and wellness benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Career development support

Annual performance reviews

Job summary

MatchBox Consulting Group is seeking an experienced Project Manager Lead to join their Electrical Utilities team in Vancouver. This senior leadership position involves delivering complex utility projects and managing Project Managers supporting major clients like BC Hydro.

The ideal candidate will have over 15 years of experience in project management within the electrical utility sector, alongside required qualifications such as a P.Eng. designation and PMP certification. The role offers competitive compensation and benefits in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of project management experience in electrical utility projects.
• Experience managing project portfolios valued at $5M+ annually.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor Project Managers.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of utility infrastructure projects.
• Manage a portfolio of projects and oversee Project Managers.
• Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders and clients.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Communication skills

Project controls

Risk management

Microsoft Office Suite

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related discipline

Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation

Project Management Professional (PMP) certification

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Project management software

Job description

Overview

Our client is a leading Canadian project delivery firm specializing in Project Management, Construction Management, Engineering, and Advisory services. They are seeking an experienced Project Manager Lead to join their Electrical Utilities team in Vancouver.

This is a senior leadership position responsible for both delivering complex utility infrastructure projects and overseeing a portfolio of projects and Project Managers supporting major utility clients, including BC Hydro. The successful candidate will combine strong technical project delivery expertise with proven leadership, financial management, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

Project & Program Delivery

• Lead the delivery of complex transmission, distribution, and substation projects from initiation through closeout.
• Manage a portfolio of utility infrastructure projects while directly overseeing strategic and high‑complexity assignments.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and to quality expectations.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams through planning, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and closeout phases.
• Identify project risks early and implement effective mitigation strategies.

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide leadership, mentorship, coaching, and performance oversight to a team of Project Managers.
• Act as the primary escalation point for project delivery challenges involving scope, schedule, resources, stakeholders, and commercial matters.
• Support team development, succession planning, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with utility stakeholders and key clients.
• Serve as a trusted advisor on project delivery and program performance matters.
• Collaborate with Indigenous Nations, regulatory agencies, landowners, consultants, contractors, and project partners.
• Support Indigenous engagement activities throughout the project lifecycle.

Financial & Commercial Management

• Oversee project and program financial performance including budgeting, forecasting, accruals, invoicing, profitability tracking, and change management.
• Lead monthly forecasting, project reviews, and financial reporting activities.
• Monitor resource utilization and portfolio performance to maximize program success.

Governance & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure consistent application of project controls, governance, scheduling, reporting, and change management processes.
• Champion lessons learned, process improvements, and delivery best practices.
• Support business development initiatives, proposal preparation, strategic planning, and client growth opportunities.

Required Qualifications

Experience

• 15+ years of project or program management experience delivering electrical utility infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated experience managing project portfolios valued at $5M+ annually.
• Proven experience leading and developing Project Managers and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong background managing budgets, forecasting, accruals, invoicing, profitability, and change management.
• Experience managing engineering consultants, contractors, and subcontractors.

Technical Background

• Extensive experience delivering transmission, distribution, and substation projects.
• Experience across planning, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and project closeout.
• Utility sector experience with electrical utilities, transmission owners, EPCM organizations, or engineering consulting firms.
• Direct BC Hydro project delivery experience is strongly preferred.

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or a related discipline.
• Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation – Required.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification – Required.

Skills

• Advanced stakeholder management and client relationship skills.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and team development capabilities.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Strong understanding of project controls, scheduling, estimating, governance, risk management, and change management.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Project.
• Experience using project management, scheduling, forecasting, ERP, and project controls systems.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive compensation package.
• Extended health and wellness benefits.
• Tuition reimbursement and career development support.
• Annual performance and salary reviews.
• Opportunity to work on major infrastructure and utility projects across Canada.
• Collaborative and growth‑oriented team environment.

Ideal Candidate

A senior utility project leader with extensive transmission, distribution, and substation experience who can effectively balance project execution, client management, team leadership, and program performance. Experience delivering projects for BC Hydro and leading teams of Project Managers within a consulting, EPCM, or utility environment will be highly valued.

Equal Opportunities

MatchBox is committed to providing equal opportunities for all applicants. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including members of minority groups such as racialized individuals, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and Indigenous peoples. It is a priority for us that all candidates are treated fairly and without discrimination. Our recruitment teams receive ongoing training on using objective criteria for evaluating candidates and other related topics to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.