Project Executive - Western PA

Project Executive - Western PA

Full-Time 80000 - 100000 € / year (est.) No home office possible
Duquesne Light Company

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead exciting construction projects, ensuring safety, quality, and efficiency.
  • Company: Join a forward-thinking energy contractor focused on sustainability and innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and professional development opportunities.
  • Other info: Dynamic work environment with travel across Western PA and excellent growth potential.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the community while advancing your career in construction management.
  • Qualifications: 15+ years in capital projects; strong leadership and communication skills required.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.

The Efficiency Network, Inc. (TEN) is an independent energy-focused design/build contractor that provides building infrastructure upgrades and energy projects to state, local, and federal government, K-12 education, higher education, healthcare, and large commercial and industrial customers. We help our clients address deferred maintenance, invest in infrastructure, improve the efficiency and sustainability of their buildings, and make their operations more resilient.

Location: The successful candidate is situated in the western Pennsylvania region and will work from the company’s office and a home-based office with travel to customer sites as necessary.

Summary: Reporting to the Vice President of Construction & Plant Operations, the Project Executive – Construction plays a critical, hands-on leadership role in the direct planning, supporting design, and leading execution of facility and system improvement projects across major account sites. The Project Executive is personally accountable for driving project outcomes — ensuring projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in full compliance with all applicable Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs). Serving as the Company’s senior construction team leader on assigned major projects, this role is actively engaged from early design through final closeout.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Direct Project Leadership & Accountability: Lead a team of project managers and/or superintendents across multiple concurrent projects with full accountability for scope, schedule, budget, quality, and safety outcomes. Establish and enforce disciplined project delivery standards. Serve as the senior decision-maker for construction-related matters. Act as the primary escalation point-of-contact for risks, scope changes, schedule impacts, and cost variances. Personally intervene in high-impact issues to protect project performance and customer relationships.
  • Active Design Phase Leadership: Engage directly in schematic design, design development, and construction document review. Influence technical and strategic decisions to ensure constructability and operational alignment. Assist the design team to ensure facility improvements meet customer operational requirements, maintenance needs, and long-term asset performance standards. Coordinate directly with architects, engineers, and design/build teams to ensure compliance with customer technical standards, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania building requirements, and all applicable AHJs. Lead constructability reviews, value engineering efforts, and milestone approvals. Integrate logistics, phasing, procurement strategies, and site constraints into early design decisions.
  • Construction Execution Leadership: Provide visible, active leadership to assigned project managers across all project sites. Direct Site Supervisors and field leadership to ensure safe, high-quality execution. Monitor and drive performance against approved schedules and budgets. Review and approve major change orders, claims, and recovery plans. Lead resolution of complex field challenges involving subcontractors, utilities, environmental conditions, permitting, and operational constraints within active customer facilities. Ensure alignment between field execution, contract requirements, and customer expectations.
  • Financial & Schedule Control: Establish and actively manage master budgets and schedules. Approve cost estimates, contingency use, and cash flow projections. Drive disciplined change management and documentation practices. Track and report performance metrics and implement corrective action when necessary.
  • Compliance & Risk Leadership: Ensure strict compliance with all applicable regulations, including procurement and contracting requirements, prevailing wage and labor compliance, environmental and permitting regulations, and safety and risk management standards. Identify and mitigate site, regulatory, and market-related risks before they impact delivery.
  • Senior Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as the primary senior construction interface with internal development, engineering, construction, and performance teams, customer leadership and executive stakeholders, and consultants and subcontractors. Lead construction-phase coordination meetings. Maintain trusted, high-credibility relationships with customers and across all project partners.
  • Project Closeout & Continuous Improvement: Ensure disciplined closeout, including customer sign-off, as-built documentation, warranties, O&M manuals, and final financial reconciliation. Capture lessons learned and implement improvements to enhance future project delivery performance.

Education and Experience Required:

  • 15+ years of experience delivering capital projects, including large-scale public sector or multi-site programs.
  • Demonstrated experience in design/build or alternative delivery environments.
  • Strong knowledge of public sector construction contracts and project controls.
  • Experience operating within regulated environments across multiple jurisdictions.
  • Proven ability to lead senior stakeholders and manage complex consultant and subcontractor relationships.
  • Experience working with regional subcontractor networks.

Preferred:

  • Experience delivering public facilities such as maintenance facilities, operations centers, or government buildings.
  • Prior experience working directly with public agencies.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field.
  • Professional certifications such as DBIA, PMP, PE, or CM-BIM.

Skills/Abilities:

  • Tools & Platforms: MS Project for scheduling, Procore for project management, MS Word and Excel for documenting and analytics.

Core Competencies:

  • Decisive Leadership: Takes ownership and drives results in complex environments.
  • Execution Discipline: Aligns strategy with construction field performance.
  • Executive Communication: Translates construction realities into clear business implications.
  • Financial Stewardship: Connects scope decisions to business outcomes.
  • Safety-First Mindset: Champions site safety and compliance.
  • Problem Solving: Anticipates constraints; proposes options and trade-offs.

Working Conditions:

  • Travel: Western PA ~20-60% (regional project sites; adjust as needed). Driver’s license required.
  • Work Environment: Construction site, customer facility, and office settings; occasional off-hours for travel and collaboration.

Compensation & Benefits:

  • Competitive Salary
  • Comprehensive benefits: medical/dental/vision, 401(k) plan with very generous contributions and match, paid time off, professional development support and training.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: Duquesne Light Holdings is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all people in all aspects of the employment relationship, without discrimination because of race, age, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity or status as a Vietnam era or special disabled veteran or any other unlawful basis, as defined by applicable law, and fostering a workplace free of unlawful discrimination and retaliation.

Project Executive - Western PA employer: Duquesne Light Company

The Efficiency Network, Inc. (TEN) is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and development within a collaborative and innovative work culture. Located in western Pennsylvania, TEN offers competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including generous 401(k) contributions and professional development support, ensuring that employees are well-equipped to lead impactful energy projects. With a commitment to safety, compliance, and sustainability, TEN fosters an inclusive environment where every team member can thrive and contribute to meaningful infrastructure improvements.

Duquesne Light Company

Contact Detail:

Duquesne Light Company Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Project Executive - Western PA

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend local events, and join relevant groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching TEN and understanding their projects. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission of improving efficiency and sustainability in building infrastructure.

Tip Number 3

Showcase your leadership skills during interviews. Talk about times you've successfully led teams through complex projects, especially in construction or public sector environments. They want to see that you can drive results!

Tip Number 4

Apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in being part of the TEN team.

We think you need these skills to ace Project Executive - Western PA

Project Management
Construction Leadership
Design/Build Experience
Regulatory Compliance
Stakeholder Engagement
Financial Management
Risk Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Project Executive role. Highlight your experience in managing large-scale projects and your familiarity with public sector construction contracts. We want to see how your skills align with what TEN is looking for!

Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Project Executive, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership abilities. Use your application to share examples of how you've led teams through complex projects, resolved challenges, and maintained stakeholder relationships. We love seeing real-life examples!

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Avoid jargon and make sure your key achievements stand out. We appreciate clarity and want to quickly understand why you're the right fit for the role.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. This ensures that your application gets to the right people quickly. Plus, it’s super easy to do! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join our team at TEN.

How to prepare for a job interview at Duquesne Light Company

Know Your Projects Inside Out

Before the interview, dive deep into The Efficiency Network's recent projects and initiatives. Familiarise yourself with their approach to energy efficiency and infrastructure upgrades. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you discuss how your experience aligns with their goals.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Project Executive, you'll be leading teams and making critical decisions. Prepare examples from your past where you've successfully led projects, resolved conflicts, or influenced key stakeholders. Highlighting these experiences will demonstrate your capability to take ownership and drive results.

Understand Compliance and Regulations

Given the importance of compliance in this role, brush up on relevant regulations and standards in the construction industry, especially those applicable in Pennsylvania. Be ready to discuss how you've navigated compliance challenges in previous roles and ensured project success.

Prepare Questions for Them

Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions about their project management processes, team dynamics, and future projects. This shows that you're not just interested in the role, but also in how you can contribute to their mission and culture.