Project Manager

PROJECT MANAGER

Location: KSA

Project Type: Electrical Infrastructure Quality Assurance & Quality Surveillance (QA/QS)

Engagement: Full-Time

Role Summary

The Project Manager (PM) will be responsible for leading and delivering end-to-end inspection services under a Quality Assurance and Quality Surveillance (QA/QS) programme for a major utility or infrastructure client in the generation, transmission, or distribution sector. This role includes oversight of planning, coordination, documentation, and performance management of inspection teams deployed across vendor facilities, manufacturing sites, and operational assets.

This senior leadership position demands a technically strong individual with extensive QA/QS and inspection experience in the power sector, excellent stakeholder management skills, and the ability to navigate complex, multi-contractor environments. The PM will ensure quality objectives are achieved, documentation is controlled, risks are mitigated, and client satisfaction is upheld.

Key Responsibilities

1. Programme Management & Leadership

• Direct all phases of the inspection services programme, from mobilisation through execution and close-out.
• Oversee resource planning, scheduling, deliverable tracking, and performance against contractual KPIs.
• Ensure alignment with the client's quality management system, international standards, and regulatory obligations.
• Lead daily coordination meetings, monthly progress reviews, and governance reporting.
  
  
  

2. Quality Assurance & Quality Surveillance

• Ensure rigorous QA/QS planning and execution, including ITP reviews, surveillance planning, inspection notification coordination, and defect tracking.
• Supervise inspection activities across fabrication yards, OEM workshops, EPC contractor sites, and live asset locations.
• Monitor close-out of non-conformances, punch lists, and audit actions within agreed timelines.
• Maintain traceability and integrity of QA records, certificates, and compliance evidence.
  
  
  

3. Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the clients single point of contact for all programme-wide inspection and QA/QS coordination.
• Interface with vendors, OEMs, EPCs, client engineers, and technical representatives to ensure inspection coverage is adequate and timely.
• Manage cross-functional alignment between engineering, procurement, and QA/QC functions.
• Prepare and deliver structured communications, including inspection summaries, dashboards, and escalation briefings.
  
  
  

4. Technical Oversight & Risk Management

• Identify risks associated with inspection delays, resource conflicts, technical deviations, and documentation gaps.
• Propose and implement mitigation plans, resource redeployments, and interface resolutions.
• Escalate critical non-conformances or systematic failures through defined governance channels.
• Support root cause analysis, corrective action verification, and lessons learned documentation.
  
  
  

5. Digital Reporting & Documentation Control

• Oversee centralisation of QA/QS reports, punch list status, vendor NCRs, test records, and equipment data.
• Use digital tools and trackers (e.g., Excel-based registers, Power BI dashboards, QA platforms) to ensure transparency and audit readiness.
• Ensure document version control, timely uploads, and cross-referencing with client systems.
  
  
  

Mandatory Qualifications And Experience

Professional Experience:

• Minimum 15 years of relevant experience in the electrical power sector, specifically in generation, transmission, or distribution projects.
• At least 10 years in QA/QS, inspection management, or vendor surveillance roles, with proven delivery across multi-vendor and multi-location scopes.
• Demonstrable experience managing large teams of inspectors and SMEs in an infrastructure, utility, or EPC context.
  
  
  

Technical Expertise:

• Strong command of QA/QS inspection protocols across major power equipment: transformers, switchgear, GIS, protection relays, cables, substations, and rotating machinery.
• Familiarity with factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), ITP development, and witness protocols.
• Working knowledge of international standards such as ISO 9001, IEC 60076, IEEE standards, and country-specific electrical regulations.
• Understanding of fabrication and installation QA/QC workflows, particularly in HV/LV environments.
• Experience in cross-functional QA/QS coordination, including interaction with mechanical or I&C scopes, will be considered an advantage.
  
  
  

Educational Background:

• Bachelors degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering (or closely related field).
• PMP or PRINCE2 project management certification preferred.
• ISO 9001 Lead Auditor certification desirable.
• Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) qualifications (e.g., NEBOSH, IOSH) an advantage.
  
  
  

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Power Quality (PQ) understanding is advantageous (e.g., PQ analysis, mitigation, compliance), especially where inspections involve system commissioning or grid integration.
• Familiarity with digital QA tools (e.g., GoCanvas, iAuditor, or Maximo-integrated QA/QC workflows).
• Experience with local utility inspection procedures (e.g. SEC, DEWA, KAHRAMAA, or ADNOC).
• Familiarity with ISO/IEC 17020 standards for inspection body operations is a plus.
• Basic working knowledge of Arabic is advantageous for stakeholder engagement in GCC contexts.
• Exposure to Instrumentation & Control (I&C) quality inspections or multidisciplinary QA/QS interfaces is a value-add.
  
  
  

Behavioural Competencies

• Leadership in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams
• Clear and concise reporting to senior stakeholders
• Proactive risk identification and mitigation
• Strong problem-solving under pressure
• Conflict resolution and diplomatic communication
• Excellent attention to detail in documentation
• High standards of integrity and client focus
  
  
  

Performance Indicators

• Achievement of inspection milestones and timely closure of NCRs
• High quality of documentation submitted and accepted by client
• Effective coordination and zero inspection delays due to poor planning
• Reduction of rework, slippages, or avoidable quality incidents
• Strong client satisfaction and positive feedback throughout engagement
  
  
  

Travel Requirements

• Regional travel across GCC countries may be required.
• Frequent visits to vendor manufacturing sites, project sites, and client offices are expected.