Utilities Project Manager

Shermco Industries Canada
Location: Burnaby, BC
Job Type: Permanent, Full-time
Reports to: Director, Protection & Control
Compensation: $160,000 – $200,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications
Travel: Travel to project and client sites within British Columbia may be required

About Shermco

Since 1974, Shermco has become North America’s largest and fastest-growing NETA-accredited electrical testing organization. Our focus is to make sure electrical power systems are functioning properly and safely. With Professional Engineering Group, Rotating Machinery Division, Renewable Energy Services, and Field Repair and local Repair Service Centers, Shermco is well positioned to handle all things electrical.

Role Summary

Shermco Canada is seeking a Utilities Project Manager to lead the planning, execution, commissioning, and closeout of utility-focused electrical projects in British Columbia. This role will support Protection & Control, apparatus testing, relay testing, transformer and breaker commissioning, startup, and energization work packages.

The Utilities Project Manager will be responsible for managing project scope, schedule, budget, safety, field readiness, stakeholder communication, change management, and documentation closeout. This role requires strong coordination with Shermco field teams, client representatives, engineering groups, contractors, and operations stakeholders to ensure work is delivered safely, efficiently, and to a high standard of quality.

Project Planning, Intake & Estimating

• Review incoming project assignments and confirm acceptance based on crew capacity, project scope, safety requirements, and critical timelines.
• Develop budgetary estimates and pricing inputs using historical benchmarks, field feedback, labour expectations, and project requirements.
• Lead pre-job planning activities, including site readiness, access requirements, drawings, IFC packages, pre-functional checks, and field execution plans.
• Coordinate required training, site orientations, refreshers, and certifications before mobilization.

Contracting, Scope & Compliance

• Prepare and manage work authorization packages, including scope, pricing, milestones, approvals, and notice-to-proceed requirements.
• Ensure project planning aligns with client safety requirements, site-specific procedures, electrical safety expectations, and applicable regulatory standards.
• Support compliance with WorkSafeBC requirements, electrical safety practices, lockout/isolation expectations, and energized work protocols.
• Maintain clear records of agreed scope, pricing assumptions, project changes, approvals, and commercial decisions throughout the project lifecycle.

Scheduling, Resourcing & Field Readiness

• Build and maintain project schedules aligned to planned outages, field availability, commissioning windows, and client milestones.
• Coordinate with P&C supervisors, field leaders, and operations teams to assign crews and support effective field execution.
• Confirm required tooling, test equipment, software, communication tools, materials, and site logistics are available before mobilization.
• Monitor project constraints and proactively address issues that may impact schedule, cost, safety, quality, or client delivery.

Execution & Commissioning Management

• Lead regular project progress meetings with internal stakeholders, client representatives, engineering, and field teams.
• Track commissioning plans, testing progress, documentation requirements, punch lists, deficiencies, and closeout deliverables.
• Resolve field barriers related to site access, drawings, approvals, telecoms, technical clarifications, materials, and schedule conflicts.
• Support supervisors and crews by keeping project communication clear, coordinated, and focused on safe execution.

Cost Control, Change Management & Billing Support

• Track project costs against budget, including labour, overtime, travel, accommodations, materials, equipment, and subcontractor inputs.
• Identify, document, and support negotiation of change orders as project scope, schedule, or field conditions evolve.
• Maintain accurate cost substantiation, project records, and supporting documents for billing and finance handoff.
• Monitor margin performance and escalate risks early with recommended recovery actions.

Safety Leadership

• Promote a strong safety culture aligned with Shermco’s safety expectations, client requirements, CSA Z462, WorkSafeBC requirements, and applicable provincial regulations.
• Verify that crews have required authorizations, training, permits, and site-specific qualifications before beginning work.
• Support energized work planning, hazard assessments, tailboards, lockout/isolation requirements, and field-level risk reviews.
• Actively reinforce safe work practices and ensure safety concerns are addressed promptly and effectively.

Stakeholder & Client Management

• Serve as the primary project coordination point between Shermco, client stakeholders, field teams, engineering, and operations groups.
• Communicate project status, risks, constraints, schedule updates, and recovery plans in a clear and timely manner.
• Build trusted working relationships while identifying opportunities to support additional work under existing agreements.
• Ensure expectations are aligned across all parties throughout planning, execution, commissioning, and closeout.

Documentation & Closeout

• Ensure test records, commissioning packages, redlines, turnover documents, punch lists, and final reports are completed and submitted as required.
• Support energization readiness, formal closeout, lessons learned, and continuous improvement after project completion.
• Maintain organized project documentation to support quality, billing, compliance, and future estimating improvements.
• Capture recurring challenges and recommend process improvements to improve delivery flow and field efficiency.

Required

• Diploma or bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Technology, Power Systems, Project Management, or equivalent field experience.
• 5–8+ years of experience supporting utility, electrical field services, Protection & Control, commissioning, apparatus testing, or related project delivery.
• Strong understanding of utility project execution, field coordination, outage planning, commissioning workflows, and documentation closeout.
• Practical knowledge of electrical safety requirements, including CSA Z462, lockout/isolation, energized work planning, and WorkSafeBC requirements.
• Experience managing project schedules, budgets, change orders, time-and-material tracking, and client-facing project communication.

Preferred

• PMP designation, CAPM certification, or equivalent project management training or experience.
• NETA certification or experience working with a NETA-accredited electrical testing organization.
• Experience with utility field environments, substations, relay testing, transformer/breaker commissioning, or medium- and high-voltage electrical systems.
• Familiarity with testing platforms and tools such as Doble, RTS/ProTest, PowerDB, or similar utility testing software.

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver’s licence and ability to travel to project and client sites as required.
• Ability to support planned outages, extended work windows, and remote field assignments when needed.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, Teams, scheduling tools, and document control practices.
• Excellent communication, organization, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to meet applicable site access, safety, and client-specific requirements.

Success Measures

Success in this role will be measured by the ability to deliver projects safely, on schedule, within budget, and to client expectations. Key outcomes include:

• Safe execution with strong adherence to Shermco, client, WorkSafeBC, and regulatory safety requirements.
• On-time commissioning, energization, and project closeout with minimal uncontrolled schedule impacts.
• Effective budget management, timely change order capture, and strong cost documentation.
• Complete and accurate project records, test documentation, redlines, punch lists, and closeout packages.
• Strong client satisfaction, clear communication, and continued support for future project opportunities.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Shermco is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable human rights legislation. Shermco is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Applicants who require accommodation during the recruitment process are encouraged to advise us so appropriate arrangements can be made.

No Agencies Please

Shermco does not accept unsolicited resumes from staffing agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted without a valid written agreement will be considered Shermco property, and no fees will be paid.