IT/OT Project Manager

Location: South Plainfield, NJ/ remote
Duration: 6 Months + Potential Extension
Employment Type: Full-Time / Contract

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced IT/OT Project Manager to provide end-to-end IT/OT Project Management and Technical Delivery Services for projects impacting Bulk Electric System (BES) Cyber Assets.

The ideal candidate will lead high-impact IT/OT infrastructure deployments across Transmission and Distribution SCADA environments and bring a strong combination of project management expertise and hands-on experience with NERC CIP compliance.

This role requires someone who can effectively communicate with system operations engineers, network architects, cybersecurity teams, and compliance auditors while ensuring projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, and with minimal compliance risk.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead IT/OT projects from initiation through commissioning and closeout.

• Manage projects using an EPMO Stage Gate process aligned with CMMI Level 3 requirements.

• Develop and maintain project organizational charts, milestone schedules, project plans, and delivery roadmaps.

• Lead projects involving Transmission and Distribution SCADA environments and other critical OT infrastructure.

• Translate technical vision and targeted solutions into end-to-end architectural designs and implementation roadmaps.

• Identify, manage, and resolve system dependencies across infrastructure, applications, networks, and third-party solutions.

• Support the development and release of RFPs, SOWs, and vendor engagements.

• Coordinate with supply chain teams, vendors, and third-party managed/hosted solution providers.

• Prepare and deliver weekly and monthly project status reports.

• Develop and coordinate steering committee presentations.

• Ensure timely and high-quality project documentation in accordance with EPMO guidelines.

• Coordinate and submit Stage Gate Scorecards.

• Identify and manage project-level risks, issues, assumptions, and dependencies (RAID).

• Develop and track appropriate mitigation and contingency plans.

• Ensure hardware deployments, software upgrades, network modifications, testing, and commissioning activities meet project requirements.

• Work closely with cybersecurity and compliance teams to ensure NERC CIP requirements are incorporated throughout the project lifecycle.

• Ensure OT implementations prioritize safety, high availability, reliability, and deterministic system behavior.

• Coordinate cross-functional teams and ensure project deliverables are completed on schedule.

• Complete all required organizational and technical training within established timelines.

Required Skills & Experience

• 10+ years of experience managing OT/SCADA projects within an electric utility environment.

• Strong experience with Transmission & Distribution SCADA environments.

• Proven experience delivering projects involving NERC CIP compliance.

• Experience successfully supporting projects through an active NERC CIP audit cycle.

• Strong understanding of IT/OT integration and cybersecurity.

• Experience with utility infrastructure deployments and critical operational systems.

• Strong understanding of OT environments versus traditional enterprise IT environments.

• Experience with project governance, EPMO Stage Gate processes, and structured project delivery.

• Strong experience managing project risks, issues, assumptions, dependencies, schedules, and deliverables.

• Experience working with vendors, third-party providers, and system integrators.

• Strong technical communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Ability to translate technical concepts into executive-level roadmaps and project plans.

• Strong documentation, presentation, and organizational skills.

Preferred Certifications

• PMP (Project Management Professional) – Strongly Preferred

• CISSP

• CISM

• GCIP / GIAC Certified CIP Compliance Specialist

Preferred Technical Experience

• SCADA

• EMS / DMS / OMS

• OT Infrastructure

• Grid Modernization

• Network Modernization

• IT/OT Integration

• OT Cybersecurity

• NERC CIP

• BES Cyber Assets

• Utility Control Systems

• System Operations

• EPMO / Stage Gate Governance

• Vendor & Third-Party Management

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a senior IT/OT Project Manager with 10+ years of electric utility experience, deep knowledge of SCADA and OT infrastructure, and proven expertise delivering projects under NERC CIP compliance requirements.

The candidate must be comfortable working across technical, operational, cybersecurity, compliance, vendor, and executive stakeholders and capable of taking ownership of complex utility projects from planning through final commissioning and closeout.

Location: South Plainfield, NJ/remote