Overhaul Project Manager- Donegal Hydro Stations

Electricity Supply Board; Dublin; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Net zero mission

Career development

Sports and social clubs

Staff well-being programmes

Job summary

ESB is seeking a Project Manager in EMP, Generation Projects, to lead hydro and thermal overhaul programs from inception to completion. This role requires coordinating multi-year schedules, safety, cost control and contractor management while aligning with business cases and risk management.

Based in Ireland with hybrid work options, you will drive cross‑functional execution, report progress to the Programme Manager, and ensure strong stakeholder engagement across internal teams and external

Qualifications

• Minimum ten years post-qualification experience.
• Strong commercial focus and customer service.
• Proven track record of delivering large scale generation projects on time and to budget.
• Solid understanding of overhaul planning and execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Overhaul schedule across multiple years to deliver strategic objectives.
• Single Point of Contact for the projects including safety, schedule, cost and contractor management.
• Build and lead a high-performing project team for cost-effective delivery.
• Collaborate with Generation and Trading to align plant requirements and budgets.
• Apply ESB’s PMM across projects for quality and consistency; maintain dashboards.
• Lead tender processes including evaluation and negotiations per strategy.
• Prepare technical deliverables for financial/board approval; provide progress reports.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Safety management

Cost/schedule management

Team leadership

Education

Level 8 qualification in Engineering/Physical Science or relevant work experience

Master’s or post‑graduate diploma in Engineering/Physical Science/Project Management

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Vacancy Number: 29160

Job Type: Full-time

Generation Projects within E&MP has been established to develop all generation projects, both renewable and thermal projects, as well as managing overhauls and construction projects. Our projects range from extensive Thermal OCGT/CCGT and Hydro plant overhauls to major utility scale offshore and onshore wind farms, to solar PV and battery projects (BESS), to flexible generation gas turbines and synchronous condenser projects.

This involves working in partnership with Asset Development and Asset Management to develop projects as the business case evolves and progress projects based on risks and opportunities.

Projects are expected to be developed from several sources, including thermal power plant and Hydro plant overhaul. Given the differing requirements, EMP will develop flexible solutions to meet these requirements and is required to adapt to the changing environment of project development.

Due to an increase in the volume of work associated with this programme of projects a vacancy has arisen for a Project Manager in EMP, Generation Projects. The Project Manager will be tasked with managing and delivering power plant overhaul projects in line with the defined processes and procedures. Donegal Hydro Power Plant Stations are scheduled to carry out significant overhauls in the coming years, particularly Cathleen’s Falls and Clady, through to and including at least 2029/30, and a Project Manager is being sought to oversee these works, engaging early to initiate the development and planning works and manage the projects through to successful completion.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Overhaul schedule across multiple years to deliver strategic objectives for the Donegal Stations.
• Single Point of Contact within EMP for the projects - Manage delivery of projects, incl. safety management, schedule management, cost management, contractor management.
• Build and lead a high-performing Project Team focused on cost-effective technical and commercial project delivery.
• Collaborate with Generation and Trading and take responsibility for project lifecycle to align plant requirements, contracting strategies, scopes, resources, schedule and budgets with business cases.
• Apply ESB’s Project Management Methodology (PMM) across the projects to ensure quality and consistency. Consistent reporting programme dashboards.
• Lead the tender process including evaluation and negotiations for the purpose of selecting preferred bidder(s) in line with the agreed contracting and procurement strategy for the project(s).
• Take responsibility for managing the preparation of necessary project technical deliverables required for financial / board approval. Prepare detailed progress reports, including key performance indicators and project status updates
• Provide regular project updates and recommendations to the Hydro Overhaul Programme Manager, identifying and addressing project risks. Improve and standardise processes by implementing feedback and lessons learned from previous projects. Participate in the Project Board.
• Maintain strong stakeholder relationships across internal teams and external partners to support successful project execution.
• Maintain an accurate resource requirement plan to deliver on commitments and work collaboratively with Generation Projects and Generation and Trading to obtain the necessary resources.
• Ensure project team (contractors & staff) focus on strong safety performance, including mandatory duty holders roles e.g. PSDP.

Experience and Qualifications

The successful candidate will have:

• A minimum of ten years relevant post-qualification experience.
• A demonstrated focus on commerciality and customer service.
• A proven track record of delivering large scale generation projects on time and to budget
• A strong understanding of the commercial and technical aspects of overhaul project planning and execution
• The ability to lead a project team to a high level of performance.
• Ability to work and share knowledge and competencies with a team.
• Experience with ESB’s Project Delivery Methodology or alternate project management processes.
• Strong experience in leading the preparation of technical specifications.
• Understanding the overhaul business case.
• A good understanding of contracts including management of same
• Familiarity of ESB power plant overhauls

Qualifications:

• Level 8 qualification in Engineering/physical science or relevant work experience.
• Master's or post-graduate diploma in Engineering/Physical Science/ Project Management or any other related discipline.

Location

EMP offices in Dublin or East Gate, Cork, with required on-site attendance at Donegal Hydro Stations, up to 5 days a week.

Smart Working at ESB is designed to make ‘in-person’ time together as purposeful as possible while also enabling the effective use of digital tools and hybrid arrangements to preserve our commitment to flexibility. The successful candidate may work flexibly within the jurisdiction where they have been employed, with attendance at the workplace for in-person collaboration at least two days per week. All Smart Working arrangements are subject to regular review based on the operational requirements of the role, the team, and the business.

Reporting To

Senior Manager, Generations Project Delivery

Why Work with Us?

• Opportunity to lead Ireland’s transition tonet zero carbon future
• Career developmentthrough mentoring andtraining
• Corporate Social Responsibility Opportunities
• Sports and Social Clubs
• Networking opportunities
• Credit Union
• Access to staff well-being programmes
• Generous parental leave entitlements
• Strong values-based and inclusive culture
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
• Great team environment working to our Core Values: Courageous, Caring, Driven and Trusted

Interview

Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will complete a Behavioural Interview based on each of the following Behaviours, which underpin how we work at ESB and are critical to delivering our strategy:

Your application will be held in reserve for 6 months should you be suitable for the role.

The successful candidate will be required to evidence their right to work in the Republic of Ireland / UK prior to commencement of employment.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement

ESB is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all sections of society and ensure that no one is discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion or belief, ethnicity or nationality, disability, age, citizenship, marital status, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other basis as protected by law.

Applicants who anticipate requiring assistance or reasonable accommodations for any part of the application or interview process may contact, in confidence, [e-mail].

About ESB

Join us in our mission to achieve a net-zero electricity system by 2040. ESB is Ireland’s leading energy utility, with activities spanning electricity generation, transmission and distribution, energy supply, energy services and international consultancy. Operating in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain, we invest over €1 billion each year to deliver a new energy future based on reliable, affordable zero-carbon electricity.