Project Manager
Description
Commercial Electrical Project Manager
Norlee Group
Company Overview
Norlee Group is a multi-trade building systems organization delivering integrated electrical, mechanical, and technology solutions across commercial, industrial, multi-family, and residential markets. As part of our continued growth under the One Norlee platform, we are seeking a Commercial Electrical Project Manager to join our team.
Position Summary
The Commercial Electrical Project Manager is responsible for managing small to mid-sized commercial electrical construction projects, or designated portions of larger projects, from project turnover through final closeout. This position oversees project planning, scheduling, procurement, financial performance, field coordination, and client communication while maintaining safety, quality, schedule, budget, and customer satisfaction.
The Project Manager works closely with Superintendents, Estimators, Purchasing, Engineering, general contractors, construction managers, subcontractors, vendors, and owners to ensure successful project delivery. Responsibilities include managing project documentation, coordinating electrical installations with other trades, monitoring labor productivity, controlling costs, and ensuring compliance with contract requirements, approved construction documents, and applicable electrical codes.
Experience with commercial construction projects, particularly K–12 educational facilities, is a plus. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, organizational, technical, and financial management skills while contributing to Norlee Group's continued growth and profitability.
Key Measurables
The success of this role will be evaluated through the following metrics:
- Management of assigned annual project volume and revenue targets, with a target range of $3 million to $8 million where applicable.
- Achievement of project revenue and gross profit goals.
- Accurate project cost projections, labor forecasts, and financial reporting.
- Maintenance of positive project cash flow through timely and accurate billings.
- Completion of documented project kickoff meetings for all assigned projects.
- Timely processing of RFIs, submittals, change orders, purchase orders, and owner billings.
- Adherence to project schedules, installation milestones, and contractual completion dates.
- Effective coordination of electrical work with general contractors and other construction trades.
- Compliance with approved drawings, project specifications, safety requirements, and applicable electrical codes.
- Timely completion of inspections, punch lists, and project closeout documentation.
- Positive customer satisfaction and repeat business opportunities.
- Effective identification and resolution of project risks, scope changes, and schedule conflicts.
- Limited need for Group Manager intervention on routine project issues.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Project Planning and Execution
- Plan, organize, and manage assigned commercial electrical construction projects from turnover through final closeout.
- Review contracts, estimates, scopes of work, drawings, specifications, schedules, and budgets to establish project execution plans.
- Lead project kickoff meetings to review scope, schedule, budget, procurement requirements, manpower needs, and responsibilities.
- Develop and maintain project schedules in coordination with field leadership, general contractors, and other trades.
- Establish installation milestones for rough-in, conduit installation, wire and cable pulling, equipment installation, switchgear, panelboards, lighting, power distribution, and final connections as applicable to project scope.
- Coordinate multiple projects and job sites while maintaining communication with internal teams and external stakeholders.
- Identify scope gaps, design conflicts, material delays, and schedule risks early in the project lifecycle.
- Participate in preconstruction meetings, jobsite walkthroughs, estimating reviews, and project turnover meetings.
Technical and Construction Coordination
- Review electrical construction drawings, specifications, one-line diagrams, panel schedules, lighting plans, equipment schedules, and details for completeness and constructability.
- Coordinate installation of electrical distribution systems, feeders, branch circuits, conduit, wiring, switchgear, panelboards, transformers, lighting, controls, and electrical equipment as required by the project.
- Coordinate electrical rough-in, equipment locations, sleeves, penetrations, and installation sequencing with mechanical, plumbing, fire protection, technology, and other trades.
- Work with engineers, architects, consultants, general contractors, and vendors to resolve design discrepancies and technical questions.
- Review equipment submittals and verify that materials and equipment meet project specifications and approved design requirements.
- Identify potential conflicts involving ceiling conditions, structural elements, equipment rooms, existing utilities, and other building systems.
- Coordinate inspections, testing, startup, commissioning, and final acceptance as required by the project.
- Ensure electrical installations comply with approved drawings, contract requirements, applicable NEC provisions, local codes, and project quality standards.
Commercial Construction Coordination
- Maintain regular communication with general contractors, construction managers, owners, architects, engineers, and subcontractors.
- Participate in construction coordination meetings and provide updates on project progress, manpower, procurement, and outstanding issues.
- Coordinate electrical work with mechanical, plumbing, fire protection, drywall, ceiling, concrete, and other trades.
- Monitor construction sequencing and identify opportunities to reduce rework, avoid delays, and improve labor efficiency.
- Coordinate site access, material deliveries, equipment staging, inspections, and installation sequencing.
- Manage requirements for new construction, renovations, tenant improvements, additions, and phased construction projects.
- Maintain professional relationships with construction partners and customers to support successful project delivery and future business opportunities.
K–12 Educational Projects
- Coordinate electrical construction activities in new and renovated K–12 educational facilities when applicable.
- Understand the importance of school schedules, summer construction windows, phased occupancy, and minimizing disruption to educational operations.
- Coordinate with school districts, construction managers, general contractors, architects, engineers, and district representatives.
- Support compliance with site-specific safety procedures, restricted-access requirements, background screening, and other school district requirements as applicable.
- Coordinate inspections, testing, equipment startup, and turnover to meet school occupancy dates and project milestones.
- Maintain accurate project documentation and communication to support school district acceptance and final closeout.
Project Documentation and Contract Administration
- Prepare, submit, and track RFIs, product data, shop drawings, submittals, and technical documentation.
- Maintain accurate project records, including contracts, meeting minutes, correspondence, change orders, schedules, procurement logs, and issue logs.
- Identify scope discrepancies, exclusions, design changes, and additional work requiring formal authorization.
- Prepare and track change orders, documenting cost impacts, schedule impacts, and required approvals.
- Review subcontract agreements, purchase orders, and vendor commitments as assigned.
- Ensure project documentation is accurate, organized, and maintained throughout the project lifecycle.
Procurement and Vendor Management
- Coordinate procurement of electrical materials and equipment, including conduit, wire, cable, fittings, lighting fixtures, electrical distribution equipment, switchgear, panelboards, transformers, controls, and accessories.
- Review material lead times, equipment availability, approved substitutions, and delivery schedules.
- Confirm materials and equipment meet approved submittals, project specifications, and contractual requirements.
- Track purchase orders, vendor commitments, equipment deliveries, and outstanding materials.
- Coordinate manufacturer support, equipment startup, and specialty vendor services as required.
- Identify procurement risks early and implement solutions to protect project schedules and profitability.
Field Coordination and Workforce Management
- Conduct routine jobsite visits to monitor project progress, safety, quality, productivity, and schedule adherence.
- Work closely with Superintendents, foremen, electricians, and subcontractors to establish manpower requirements and installation priorities.
- Review labor productivity, production reports, installation rates, and remaining work forecasts.
- Resolve field issues involving drawings, installation methods, material shortages, site conditions, and trade coordination.
- Monitor installation quality and ensure deficiencies are documented and corrected.
- Support field leadership with scheduling, manpower planning, material coordination, equipment utilization, and construction sequencing.
- Ensure project activities comply with company safety policies, customer requirements, and applicable site-specific procedures.
Financial and Project Performance Management
- Prepare monthly project cost projections, financial forecasts, and performance reports.
- Monitor project budgets, labor costs, material expenditures, committed costs, subcontractor costs, cash flow, and billing status.
- Compare actual costs against estimates and identify corrective actions when variances arise.
- Review labor productivity and forecast remaining costs to maintain project margins.
- Prepare owner pay applications and progress billings in accordance with contract terms and established billing schedules.
- Review vendor and subcontractor invoices for accuracy, approved scope, and completed work.
- Track change orders and ensure authorized additional work is reflected in project forecasts and billings.
- Identify financial, contractual, procurement, and schedule risks and communicate concerns to the Group Manager.
- Support timely collection of receivables and resolution of billing disputes.
Client Relations and Project Closeout
- Build and maintain strong relationships with general contractors, construction managers, owners, consultants, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
- Lead project progress meetings and communicate status, schedule updates, procurement concerns, and outstanding decisions.
- Address customer concerns promptly and work toward practical, cost-effective resolutions.
- Coordinate electrical inspections, testing, equipment startup, punch-list completion, and final acceptance.
- Manage project closeout, including as-built drawings, warranties, operations and maintenance manuals, testing documentation, equipment records, and training materials.
- Ensure all contractual deliverables and final billing requirements are completed before project turnover.
- Identify opportunities for repeat business, additional projects, and long-term customer relationships.
Competencies
Manages Complexity: Evaluates technical drawings, specifications, budgets, schedules, and competing priorities to identify risks and resolve problems effectively.
Ensures Accountability: Takes ownership of project outcomes, financial performance, commitments, and customer satisfaction. Establishes clear responsibilities and follows through on corrective actions.
Collaborates: Builds productive working relationships with field personnel, general contractors, engineers, vendors, subcontractors, and customers to achieve shared project objectives.
Plans and Aligns: Develops practical execution plans, schedules, procurement strategies, manpower forecasts, and project milestones. Anticipates constraints and adjusts priorities to maintain progress.
Financial Acumen: Understands project budgets, labor productivity, material costs, cost forecasting, billing, change management, and gross profit performance.
Customer Focus: Communicates proactively, resolves concerns professionally, and delivers reliable project outcomes that meet contractual and customer expectations.
Leadership and Decision-Making: Demonstrates sound judgment, takes initiative, manages competing priorities, and resolves routine project issues with minimal oversight.
Qualifications
Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related field preferred.
- Five or more years of project management experience in commercial electrical construction or a closely related field required.
- Demonstrated experience managing electrical construction projects through budgeting, scheduling, procurement, installation, contract administration, and closeout.
- Experience coordinating general contractors, construction managers, field electricians, subcontractors, vendors, and other trades.
- Working knowledge of commercial electrical drawings, specifications, submittals, RFIs, change orders, and project schedules.
- Experience managing project budgets, labor productivity, cost forecasts, billing, and profitability.
- Familiarity with applicable National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements, local permitting requirements, and commercial electrical construction practices.
- Experience with commercial new construction, renovations, tenant improvements, or phased construction projects preferred.
- Experience working on K–12 school construction projects is a plus, including familiarity with school district requirements, summer construction schedules, phased occupancy, and coordination with educational facility stakeholders.
- Relevant industry certifications or project management credentials preferred.
- Equivalent combinations of education, training, and relevant experience will be considered.
Language, Interpersonal, and Leadership Skills
- Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, electrical specifications, contracts, and safety procedures.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to lead meetings, coordinate multiple stakeholders, and manage competing priorities.
- Demonstrated organizational, problem-solving, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to communicate technical information clearly to customers, contractors, engineers, and field personnel.
- Ability to work independently while maintaining alignment with company leadership and project objectives.
Mathematical Skills
- Ability to perform calculations involving whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages, and units of measure.
- Ability to review project budgets, labor hours, material quantities, production rates, and cost projections.
- Ability to interpret quantities and measurements from electrical construction drawings and project documents.
Computer Skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, including Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, and PowerPoint.
- Experience with construction management, scheduling, document control, and project financial software.
- Familiarity with Procore, Autodesk Construction Cloud, Bluebeam, or comparable platforms preferred.
- Ability to manage electronic drawings, submittals, RFIs, change orders, procurement logs, and financial reports.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl during construction-site visits. The position requires the ability to walk entire job sites, including stairs and elevated structures. The employee must have the manual dexterity required to operate a computer, keyboard, mouse, and standard business equipment. The role may require lifting or moving materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.
Work Environment
The work environment includes a combination of office settings, customer meetings, and active commercial construction sites. Jobsite conditions may include extreme temperatures, noise, dust, mud, debris, ladders, lifts, elevated work areas, and confined or restricted spaces.
The employee may be required to visit multiple project locations during a single day and coordinate with field personnel, contractors, vendors, and customers across various sites. Travel expectations for this role are a minimum of 25%, depending on project assignments and business needs.