Project Manager

TD Thornton; Chico (CA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Coverage

Retirement 401(k) with company match

Annual Bonus

Tuition Reimbursement

Paid Parental Leave

FSAs

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

TD Thornton is seeking a Project Manager to lead scoping, design, construction, and commissioning of large capital projects in the distribution electric utility sector. You will act as an owner’s representative, safeguard client interests, and guide decisions on behalf of the client.

You will manage cross-functional, multi-location teams, develop detailed schedules, control budgets, and ensure on-time delivery while meeting safety and business goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, business, or related field.
• 5 years of experience in utility-focused project management (distribution, substation, transmission, underground).
• Strong experience building and managing detailed project schedules.
• Experience presenting to senior leadership or executive stakeholders.
• Knowledge of cost control, forecasting, and integrated cost/schedule management.
• Proven ability to manage multiple stakeholders and communicate across teams.
• Experience leading projects from initiation through closeout.

Responsibilities

• Lead scoping, design, construction, and commissioning of large capital projects in distribution utilities.
• Oversee all aspects of projects to meet quality, budget, and schedule objectives.
• Act as owner’s representative, safeguarding client interests and guiding decisions.
• Manage cross-functional, multi-location project teams using standardized PM methods.
• Develop and maintain detailed project schedules with dependencies and milestones.
• Monitor budgets, forecasts, and cost tracking to ensure financial targets.
• Lead regular project meetings and provide updates to leadership and stakeholders.
• Mentor junior project managers and support development of others.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, business, or related field

Job description

Job Overview

TD Thornton is a premier consulting firm specializing in project management and project controls solutions. We provide strong onboarding and ongoing support to help our people succeed. We welcome applicants from engineering, construction management, project management, business analytics, scheduling, and anyone who thrives in a collaborative environment

Job Details

Title: Project Manager

Sector: Distribution

Seniority: Mid-Senior

Location: Sacramento/Chico, CA

Job Type: Hybrid
As a Project Manager, you will lead the scoping, design, construction, and commissioning of large capital projects within the distribution electric utility sector. Under general direction, you will oversee all aspects of assigned projects, often multi-year and high-profile, ensuring quality, budget, and schedule objectives are met. Acting as an owner’s representative, you will safeguard the client’s interests, provide sound advice, and make informed decisions on their behalf. This role requires strong leadership, technical expertise, and the ability to manage cross-functional, multi-location project teams using proven project management methodologies.
In this role, you will take ownership of the full project lifecycle, including planning, execution, and delivery. You will act as an owner’s representative, ensuring projects are completed safely, on time, and within budget while aligning with business goals. This position requires a strong understanding of project controls, scheduling, cost management, and stakeholder communication.

Your Day-to-Day Activities

• Lead planning and execution of complex infrastructure projects with budgets ranging from $500k-$25M
• Develop and maintain detailed project schedules with multiple dependencies and milestones
• Manage project budgets, forecasts, and cost tracking to ensure financial performance targets are met
• Monitor schedule and cost performance, identifying risks and implementing corrective actions
• Serve as the main point of contact for all project-related communication
• Lead regular project meetings and provide clear updates to leadership and stakeholders
• Coordinate cross-functional teams, including engineering, construction, and project controls
• Review project scope, contracts, and change orders to ensure alignment with objectives
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and streamline execution
• Support permitting, approvals, and coordination with external agencies when required
• Mentor junior project managers and provide guidance on best practices

Prepare presentations, reports, and executive-level updates

The Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, business, or a related field
• 5 years of experience in utility-focused project management, i.e., distribution, substation, transmission, underground utilities
• Strong experience building and managing detailed project schedules
• Experience presenting to senior leadership or executive stakeholders
• Working knowledge of cost control, forecasting, and integrated cost/schedule management
• Proven ability to manage multiple stakeholders and communicate effectively across teams
• Experience leading projects from initiation through closeout

You’ll stand out if you have:

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or similar credential
• Proficiency with Primavera P6, SAP, Microsoft Project, or similar scheduling tools
• Ability to mentor and support the development of other project managers
• Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to project challenges

Compensation & Benefits

• $130,000-$165,000 annual salary
• Paid holiday, sick, and vacation time
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Annual Bonus
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Parental Leave
• Flexible Spending Account (FSAs)

About TD Thornton

Since 2005, TD Thornton has been helping our clients bridge organizational gaps by providing best-in-class consulting services and staff augmentation. Whether we are part of the contractor’s team or serving as an owner’s representative, we offer a wide spectrum of construction management support services to help our clients mitigate risks and deliver successful project outcomes. We believe our diversity is part of our strength and are proud to be a woman–owned and minority-owned company.

Learn more about us at www.tdthornton.com and on LinkedIn.

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