Job Description Summary

The Senior Project Manager is responsible for end-to-end project execution governance and team leadership within the Grid Automation business, with a strong focus on Substation Automation, Protection, Control, SCADA and Cybersecurity solutions. This role ensures effective delivery of projects, resource planning, financial visibility and cross-functional coordination to support business growth and customer satisfaction in Central Asia and Caucasian countries.
The successful candidate will lead the Substation Automation team in the design, implementation, validation and delivery of technical solutions while also establishing robust project management processes and interfaces with finance, legal/compliance and cluster operations.
This position plays a key role in driving project performance through transparent KPI reporting, accurate forecasting, strong collaboration with commercial teams, customer communication.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Project Management

• Lead the execution of Grid Automation projects, ensuring effective delivery, resource utilization, compliance with EHS rules and alignment with organizational objectives.
• Establish and maintain the project management infrastructure required for delivery, including effective interfaces with:
  • Finance
  • Compliance and legal
  • Cluster operations management
• Manage project timelines, budgets, risks and resource allocation to ensure successful execution and achievement of business goals.
• Implement and improve project management processes, tools, governance and reporting mechanisms.
• Ensure transparent reporting of key project and business KPIs, including:
  • Sales
  • Contract margin
  • Billing
  • Forecasts
• Support business planning and provide accurate project and business forecasts.

Team Leadership and Resource Planning

• Lead and manage the Substation Automation and Protection team in the design, implementation and delivery of technical solutions.
• Plan engineering and other project resources proactively in line with project timeline.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, quality and continuous improvement.

Technical Leadership

• Coordinate and guide engineering teams across design, configuration, validation, testing and commissioning activities.
• Support and supervise Validation activities and Acceptance Tests to ensure solutions meet design requirements and quality expectations.
• Proactively manage technical risks and support resolution of technical issues during project execution.
• Ensure adherence to safety, regulatory and company requirements in all technical solutions and project processes.

Customer and Commercial Support

• Cooperate closely with the commercial organization and other Grid businesses to maximize business growth and strengthen market position.
• Build customer trust in the company's local expertise and execution capabilities throughout TSO, DSO, industry, Oil&GAS and generation asset owners.
• Serve as a senior point of contact for customers, consultants and contractors on technical and project matters related to Grid Automation solutions.
• Lead technical discussions, customer reviews, clarification meetings and solution presentations.
• Support tendering and sales activities by reviewing specifications, defining compliant technical solutions, identifying execution risks and contributing to proposal development.
• Promote strong collaboration between project management, engineering, service and commercial teams.

Administrative and Compliance Responsibilities

• Oversee administrative responsibilities related to project team management and EHS.
• Ensure compliance with internal processes, legal requirements and company policies.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure EHS requirements are embedded in project execution.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of project management experience in Protection & Control / Grid Automation business.
• Previous experience in team management and leadership of engineering or project teams.
• Knowledge of SAP ERP is strong plus
• Fluent in Russian
• Fluent in English
• Kazakh is a strong plus
• Additional language skills are an advantage.

Desired Characteristics

• Proven expertise in field service commissioning processes in electrical installations.
• Knowledge of Protection, Control and SCADA design and its configuration.
• Deep knowledge of protection and control products, their functions and applications is a strong advantage.
• Experience with project management tools and methodologies.
• Strong technical depth combined with project delivery capability and leadership skills.
• Ability to take ownership of complex project and technical scope.
• Ability to coordinate teams, manage customer interfaces and ensure successful delivery from design through FAT, commissioning and handover.
• Strong capability to represent the protection and control discipline confidently with customers and internal stakeholders.
• Sound judgment, decision-making ability and problem-solving skills in dynamic project environments.
• Excellent communication, leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and planning capability with attention to detail.
• Ability to work across functions and manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Commitment to mentoring, coaching and team capability development.

Leadership Expectations

• Provide clear project and technical leadership for the Grid Automation business.
• Ensure strong execution discipline across projects and team management.
• Drive technical quality and consistency in all assigned engineering and project deliverables.
• Strengthen collaboration with commercial, service, engineering and regional teams.
• Promote customer trust through reliable execution, local expertise and high-quality delivery.

Preferred Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is an experienced project management leader with a background in Protection, Control and Substation Automation. You bring a balanced combination of technical expertise, project management capability, customer-facing confidence and people leadership. They are capable of driving project performance, leading teams and ensuring successful delivery from solution definition through testing, commissioning and handover.

Additional Information

 

 

Candidates should be aware that this role involves a client's critical infrastructure; shortlisted candidates would therefore be subject to heightened security checks as directed by our clients. All personal data will be handled with the utmost confidentiality and in accordance with our data protection policies, solely for recruitment and security purposes.