Business Lead / Project Manager, Project Origination

Business Lead / Project Manager, Project Origination

Location: South Plainfield (Hybrid, 3 days a week)
Job Type: Full-Time

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 a Business Lead / Project Manager to support the development and early-stage origination of major utility capital projects, including transmission, distribution, substation, and grid modernization initiatives. This role focuses on conducting feasibility assessments, evaluating technical and financial assumptions, coordinating cross-functional stakeholders, and advancing projects toward constructability. The Business Lead will support business cases, funding strategies, project controls, and project planning activities within a structured utility environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead technical and business feasibility studies for transmission, distribution, substation, and grid modernization projects

• Review engineering designs, system impacts, risks, and constructability considerations

• Align project scope with engineering, planning, asset management, environmental, real estate, and construction groups

• Manage scope, schedule, budget, risks, funding requirements, and resources

• Monitor stakeholder adherence to project milestones and escalate non-performance as needed

• Maintain accurate project documentation, including meeting minutes, decision logs, and version-controlled records

• Support RFP preparation, vendor evaluations, requisitions, and contract closeout

• Lead and coordinate cross-functional project meetings and ensure clear communication of action items and responsibilities

• Prepare presentations, reports, and decision-ready materials for project leadership

• Track activity funding levels and identify when additional funding is required

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Finance, Business, or a related field required

• 5 to 10 years of experience in utility planning, engineering, project development, or capital project management

• Strong project management skills with experience managing scope, schedule, budget, and risk

• Experience collaborating with cross-functional utility stakeholders

• Familiarity with SAP, Primavera P6, MS Project, or similar tools preferred

• Strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills

• PMP certification preferred

• Experience supporting investor-owned utility programs is a plus

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 women-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 $105,000 to $135,000 annually, based on a full-time equivalent schedule. 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.

Employment is contingent upon the candidate having and maintaining valid authorization to work in the United States. The Company does not sponsor, and will not sponsor, employment-based visas or provide immigration support for this position.