Project Manager

b19 Consulting; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

b19 Consulting in Detroit is seeking an experienced Electrical Distribution Project Manager to oversee utility programs from initial client conversation through to successful delivery. You will manage scopes, schedules, budgets, and internal teams across overhead and underground distribution projects, make-ready programs, and joint-use initiatives.

You will serve as the primary client contact, coordinate engineers and field personnel, and ensure projects meet timelines, budgets, and standards

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in electric utility distribution engineering, design, or project management.
• Strong understanding of overhead and/or underground electric distribution systems.
• Experience working directly with IOUs, municipal utilities, or other electric utility clients.
• Demonstrated ability to take a project from initial client scope through to final delivery.
• Strong client-facing and communication skills, with the confidence to lead meetings and discuss technical requirements with utility stakeholders.
• Experience managing project schedules, budgets, resources, and deliverables.
• Ability to coordinate engineers, designers, field personnel, and other project stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary point of contact for utility clients throughout the project lifecycle.
• Meet directly with clients to understand project requirements, priorities, budgets, and delivery expectations.
• Develop project scopes, work plans, schedules, budgets, and resource requirements.
• Take projects from initial scope development through engineering, design, review, and final delivery.
• Manage multiple distribution projects and programs simultaneously, ensuring deadlines and client expectations are met.
• Coordinate internal engineering, design, permitting, field, and project teams.
• Provide clear direction to engineering teams and ensure deliverables align with the agreed project scope.
• Monitor project budgets, schedules, risks, and overall performance.
• Identify potential project issues early and work with clients and internal teams to develop solutions.
• Lead regular project meetings and provide clients with updates on progress, schedule, budget, and key milestones.
• Review project deliverables for quality, accuracy, and compliance with utility requirements.
• Support change management, including identifying additional scope and communicating impacts to clients.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with utility stakeholders, contractors, engineering teams, and other project partners.
• Help identify opportunities to expand existing utility programs and support the development of new work.

Skills

Electric utility distribution

Project management

Client facing

Stakeholder coordination

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Electrical Distribution Project Manager to support utility clients across a range of electric distribution programs. This role will sit at the intersection of client management, project scoping, engineering, and delivery, giving you ownership from the initial client conversation through to successful project completion.

You will work directly with utility clients to understand their requirements, develop project scopes, coordinate internal engineering and technical teams, and ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required standards.

The project portfolio will include a combination of overhead and underground distribution projects, make-ready programs, joint-use work, and other utility-driven distribution initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary point of contact for utility clients throughout the project lifecycle.
• Meet directly with clients to understand project requirements, priorities, budgets, and delivery expectations.
• Develop project scopes, work plans, schedules, budgets, and resource requirements.
• Take projects from initial scope development through engineering, design, review, and final delivery.
• Manage multiple distribution projects and programs simultaneously, ensuring deadlines and client expectations are met.
• Coordinate internal engineering, design, permitting, field, and project teams.
• Provide clear direction to engineering teams and ensure deliverables align with the agreed project scope.
• Monitor project budgets, schedules, risks, and overall performance.
• Identify potential project issues early and work with clients and internal teams to develop solutions.
• Lead regular project meetings and provide clients with updates on progress, schedule, budget, and key milestones.
• Review project deliverables for quality, accuracy, and compliance with utility requirements.
• Support change management, including identifying additional scope and communicating impacts to clients.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with utility stakeholders, contractors, engineering teams, and other project partners.
• Help identify opportunities to expand existing utility programs and support the development of new work.

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years of experience within electric utility distribution engineering, design, or project management.
• Strong understanding of overhead and/or underground electric distribution systems.
• Experience working directly with IOUs, municipal utilities, or other electric utility clients.
• Demonstrated ability to take a project from initial client scope through to final delivery.
• Strong client-facing and communication skills, with the confidence to lead meetings and discuss technical requirements with utility stakeholders.
• Experience managing project schedules, budgets, resources, and deliverables.
• Ability to coordinate engineers, designers, field personnel, and other project stakeholders.