About the role
Utility Project Manager – Electric Distribution
Location: Washington, DC (Client Site – Penn Quarter)
Job Type: Full-Time
Compensation: $120k - $155k Annual Base Salary
About Us
CARIAN is a purpose-driven, woman-owned consulting and advisory firm dedicated exclusively to the power sector. We partner with leading electric and gas utilities to provide strategic advisory and disciplined execution across program management, business intelligence, and field execution oversight. Guided by integrity, trust, excellence, and accountability, our team helps deliver complex capital programs and build the resilient energy infrastructure that communities depend on.
Position Overview
CARIAN is seeking an experienced Utility Project Manager with strong electric distribution experience to support major utility capital programs in the Mid-Atlantic region. This role works closely with client stakeholders and is responsible for driving scope, schedule, and cross-functional coordination across active distribution initiatives.
The ideal candidate brings hands-on utility project delivery experience and is comfortable operating in a fast-paced, client-facing environment with regular presence at client and field locations.
All positions require a minimum of three days per week on-site at the client or CARIAN office, frequent visits to active job sites, and may require full five-day on-site presence based on program needs.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end delivery of electric distribution projects within utility capital programs
- Manage scope, schedule, budget, and risk across assigned workstreams
- Coordinate with engineering, construction, and utility stakeholders
- Monitor contractor performance and project progress against plan
- Support status reporting, forecasting, and executive updates
- Identify risks and implement mitigation strategies
- Ensure compliance with utility standards, safety requirements, and regulatory expectations
- Support field visits and site coordination activities as required
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or a related technical field required.
- Experience Level: 8+ years of relevant utility project management experience
- Demonstrated experience supporting electric distribution programs
- PMP certification required or commitment to obtain within 3 months of employment
- Experience with Exelon-family utilities strongly preferred (Pepco, ACE, DPL, PECO, BGE, ComEd)
- If not Exelon, experience with Northeast or Mid-Atlantic utilities preferred
- Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional coordination skills
- Must reside within the DC, Maryland, or Northern Virginia footprint
- Willingness to support frequent job site visits and on-site work
Why CARIAN
- Purpose-driven work – Help deliver infrastructure that powers communities
- Industry reputation – Trusted by leading utilities for our reliability and results
- Career growth – Opportunities to lead major programs and mentor high-performing teams
- Collaborative culture – Join a team that values delivery excellence and long-term relationships
- Competitive total rewards – Strong compensation, full benefits, 401(k) match, and meaningful work
Equal Employment Opportunity
CARIAN is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We hire and develop talent based on qualifications, performance, and business needs. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. As a woman-owned firm dedicated to the power sector, we are committed to building a team that reflects professionalism, expertise, and integrity at every level.
Compensation
The base salary range for this role is $120,000 – $155,000 annually. This range represents a good-faith estimate at the time of posting; actual compensation will depend on experience, qualifications, and other factors permitted by law. In addition to base salary, the role includes eligibility for bonus incentives, a comprehensive benefits package, and a company 401(k) match.