Lead GIS Project Manager

Description

The company is a global energy technology business, and its UK team in Stafford delivers high-voltage gas insulated switchgear (GIS) for major infrastructure projects across Great Britain.

A recent launch of a next-generation low-carbon GIS technology has strengthened the UK market position and driven growth, so the team is hiring a Lead GIS Project Manager.

Responsibilities

• You will work as a senior individual contributor within a strong project management team, combining commercial delivery, customer relationships and cross-functional work.
• Your portfolio will cover high-value GIS projects from contract award to warranty close-out, and you will be the main contact between the company, its factories in France and Switzerland, and UK customers such as transmission system operators and EPC contractors.
• Each project typically runs for three years and covers engineering, manufacturing, site installation and commissioning.
• At any time you may manage eight to ten concurrent projects, with contract values of up to $80 million USD, so your commercial decisions will carry real weight.
• Manage each GIS project from handover after order through to warranty completion, keeping delivery on track for programme, budget and quality.
• Act as the main commercial and contractual link between the company, the customer and the manufacturing supply chain, and make sure projects follow execution best practice and company policy.
• Keep project data current in portfolio tools, including schedules, billing plans, risk registers and variation orders.
• Prepare and present quarterly project reviews covering financial performance, risks, opportunities and milestone progress.
• Identify, assess and manage project risks and opportunities, escalate issues where needed and propose mitigations. Record, analyse and share lessons learned during the project.
• Coordinate installation and commissioning on UK construction sites, including safety planning before site work, subcontractor management and site visits, with at least one Gemba walk per project each quarter.
• Make sure subcontractors meet company and customer EHS requirements, and that method statements and risk assessments match contract obligations.
• Take non-conformance reports and customer complaints through to resolution, and make sure snagging items are closed before handover.
• Support factory acceptance tests (FAT) at manufacturing sites and help customers and factory teams communicate well.
• Manage variation events under NEC3, NEC4 and NEC4 FIDIC contract terms to drive commercial results.

Requirements

• Extensive project management experience, ideally in a complex, multi-stakeholder setting in infrastructure, energy, utilities or high-voltage electrical work.
• You can manage project risk, cost performance and commercial outcomes on your own, to a high standard.
• Strong commercial judgement and experience under formal contracts. Working knowledge of NEC3 or NEC4 and FIDIC is especially valuable.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to build trust with customers, contractors and internal teams.
• You are willing and able to travel within the UK for site visits and customer meetings, and abroad about four times a year to the factories in France and Switzerland.
• You hold a valid UK driving licence and a passport.
• Nice to have: experience with high-voltage switchgear, substations or related electrical power products.
• Nice to have: experience in energy transmission or distribution, in project delivery, engineering or commercial roles.
• Nice to have: familiarity with portfolio tools such as Smartsheet, Planisware or similar.
• Nice to have: a project management qualification such as PRINCE2, PMP or equivalent.
• Nice to have: prior use of SAP in a project delivery setting.
• Nice to have: understanding of UK CDM regulations and how they apply on infrastructure sites.

Conditions

Based in Stafford, UK, with travel as described above.

Flexible working is available, including a compressed work week.

Relocation assistance is not provided.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified people.

Benefits

• An annual bonus based on financial and personal performance.
• A defined contribution pension with employer contributions that you can flex.
• Private medical insurance, with comprehensive family cover available.
• 26 days of annual leave, with the option to buy or sell up to four more days, plus bank holidays.
• Life assurance above market levels.
• Group income protection paying a share of your salary for up to five years if you cannot work due to illness or injury.
• Access to the FlexChoice flexible benefits programme, covering dental cover, critical illness insurance, a cycle to work scheme, a lifestyle account and more.
• Access to digital learning, leadership development programmes and career moves across the global business.