Senior Project Manager - 518857

Tennessee Valley Authority; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Tennessee Valley Authority seeks a Senior Project Manager to oversee highly complex projects within the Nuclear Power Group. You will lead cross‑functional teams, ensure safety, quality, and schedule adherence, and apply professional project management practices per the SPP 34 series.

The role emphasizes collaboration, budget control, risk mitigation, and stakeholder communication, with strong accountability for delivery and SOX controls for both staff and management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business management, or technical field.
• PMI PMP certification required within 2 years of assignment.
• 10+ years of utility project management with team leadership experience.
• Knowledge of TVA-SPP-34-series and related processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage projects from initial planning to closure with post‑project analysis.
• Ensure projects align with TVA policies and regulations at all levels.
• Develop and implement project plans: scope, schedule, cost, risk, safety, quality.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to optimize resources.
• Mentor and evaluate project staff and manage multi-disciplinary teams.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Budgeting

Scheduling

Communication

SOX compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business management, or technical field

PMI PMP certification

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Department: NASP Outside Systems & Structural Bundle

Work Location: Chattanooga, TN

Relocation: Relocation benefits are not offered for this position

Posting Open: 09/14/2026

Grade / Salary: Competitive

Position Purpose

The Senior Project Manager performs highly complex projects in accordance to the SPP34 Series and delegated approval to work on projects through their respective Project Approval Board (PAB). This position is required to perform necessary training as documented in the SPP 34 series. This project manager position has SOX Control requirements for both the employee and the manager.

External - Posting Description

Senior Project Manager - 518857

Organization: Nuclear Power Group

Department: NASP Outside Systems & Structural Bundle

Work Location: Chattanooga, TN

Relocation: Relocation benefits are not offered for this position

Posting Open: 09/14/2026

Posting Close: 09/20/2026 11:59 PM EST

Grade / Salary: Competitive

The Senior Project Manager performs highly complex projects in accordance to the SPP34 Series and delegated approval to work on projects through their respective Project Approval Board (PAB). This position is required to perform necessary training as documented in the SPP 34 series. This project manager position has SOX Control requirements for both the employee and the manager. This position is the primary point of contact for each project and assumes the leadership role in managing the project to ensure safety, environmental, quality, budget, and schedule goals are met. The Senior Project Manager will apply professional principles, practices, and techniques; will lead and supervise professionals and large complex technical teams; will set direction and prioritize resources to meet TVA’s objectives; is responsible for the overall planning, coordination, monitoring and controlling, quality, implementation, execution, and completion, within cost and schedule, of assigned projects. Resource availability and project objectives will guide and inform decisions. Successful project outcomes are achieved through collaboration, negotiation, and influencing of assigned project teams, as well as internal and external stakeholders, over whom the Senior Project Manager may have no formal authority.

Job Dimensions

Supervisory Responsibility — May supervise others. Will lead dedicated, multi-disciplined teams assigned to the project.

Budget Responsibility — Capability to manage highly complex projects in a portfolio of highly complex projects, as described in TVA-SPP-34-series and delegated budget responsibility through their respective PAB.

Stakeholders — Asset owners, internal and external customers.

Principal Accountabilities

• In compliance with all TVA processes and procedures, lead and manage projects from initial planning phase to closure, including post-project analysis.
• Ensure projects are consistent with TVA project management strategy and policies, and in accordance with Federal, State, and Local regulations.
• Support negotiations and implementation of pre-contract agreements prior to the issue and approval of formal contract documents.
• Implement post-contract settlements with contractors at the end of the project.
• Communicate in a tactful and sensitive manner while interfacing with external customers, news media, attorneys, and elected officials, regarding issues that may be sensitive in nature.
• May interface with state and federal regulatory agencies, e.g., DOE, NRC, etc.
• Fully develop project management plans, including, but not limited to, scope, schedule, cost, risk, safety, quality, performance measurements, etc.
• Ensure projects are managed using required project management software tools.
• Identify project risk and develop mitigation plans to minimize risk exposure.
• Plan and develop project schedules, including milestones.
• Employ sound cost estimating practices to prepare budget proposals.
• Coordinate with other TVA organizations to ensure efficient use of TVA resources.
• Ensure qualified experienced personnel, including contractor personnel, are assigned to the project.
• Secure resources required to achieve project goals.
• Assign responsibilities and provide direction and support to project team.
• Conduct effective performance evaluations and mentor those with less experience.
• Work collaboratively with staff to maintain thorough knowledge of project status and ensure communications are precise.
• Track and manage project progress, milestones, and deliverables.
• Present reports defining project progress, problems, and solutions.
• Assess project issues, identify, and implement solutions to meet project goals.
• Solve technical and non-technical problems throughout the life of the project.
• Proactively manage changes in project scope, identify potential crises, and develop contingency plans.
• If necessary, issue stop work order when an adverse risk is identified.
• If necessary, recommend and seek approval for budget changes.
• Effectively communicate project expectations to management, end users, and stakeholders.
• Proactively communicate project status, issues, and risks to management.
• Actively direct/manage multi-discipline teams, including internal and external resources.
• Coordinate, monitor, and control work performed by internal and external resources.
• Ensure project-related documents are complete, current, stored, and archived appropriately.
• Perform other duties, as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education – Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business management, technical field, or equivalent education, training and/or related work experience. Master’s degree preferred, but not required.

Experience – Requires ten years utility project manager experience, or equivalent functional area work experience, including three years of increased responsibilities leading project teams and project management experience. Requires specialized extensive knowledge of project management techniques, experience to solve complex problems, and practical experience in project scoping and cost estimating. Ability to look beyond existing methodologies and own discipline to define and resolve complex problems.

Certification/License, etc. — Project Management Institute (PMI) certification as Project Management Professional (PMP) is required within 2-years of assignment to the Senior Project Manager position.

Demonstrated desire to excel in professional field of study, as demonstrated by Certification/Licensure in professional field of study, e.g., PE, CPA, CFP, etc. (preferred, but not required).

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities — Project management professionals must possess a combination of communication, technical, leadership, strategic, and business management expertise, as well as the ability to learn and keep pace with technology.

Personnel assigned to manage projects must have the skills, ability, and experience commensurate with the size and complexity of assigned projects.

TVA-SPP-34-series governs project management at TVA.

Equal Employment Opportunity

TVA is an Equal Opportunity employer and complies with all applicable laws and regulations regarding equal employment opportunities. Any applicant or employee who believes s/he has a discrimination claim (including harassment or retaliation) must contact TVA’s Equal Opportunity Compliance office within 45 calendar days of the event or action s/he believes to constitute discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.

Drug-Free Workplace

All TVA Non-Nuclear employees are covered by TVA's Federal Drug-Free Workplace Program Plan, in accordance with Executive Order 12564, Public Law 100-71 and the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing. Information regarding the Drug Free Workplace Program can be found at www.samhsa.gov/workplace . TVA Non-Nuclear employees in Testing Designated Positions, including those performing safety-sensitive duties are also subject to random drug testing. TVA Nuclear employees are subject to random alcohol and drug tests in accordance with 10 CFR Part 26 as mandated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).