Senior Project Manager - Oahu

Date: Nov 26, 2025

Location: Honolulu, Hawaii (HI), US, 96813

Company: hawaiianel

We recognize our competitive advantage -- our people. We believe in our people, who share our vision of meeting the needs of our employees, customers, and communities and who carry out the continued success of the company.

 

Our employees are committed to the company's foundational values: integrity, excellence, teamwork, environmental stewardship, and community commitment. In turn, we invest in our employees, providing opportunities for challenge and advancement and offering a competitive compensation package.

 

Posting End Date: This position will remain open until filled. Early applications are highly encouraged. 

 

BRIEF POSTING DESCRIPTION:

The P PF PROJECT INITIALIZATION Department of the P INVESTMENT PLANNING & STRATEGY Division at Hawaiian Electric Company has 1 management vacancy available.  (Role: Professional)

 

JOB FUNCTION:

Ensures achievement of critical annual and long-term (5-10 years) investment objectives for projects and programs that drive performance of reliability, resiliency and service for Oahu, Maui County and Hawaii Island. Establishes projects and programs to ensure achievement of performance-based investments. 

Coordinates across multiple divisions as part of the asset strategy investment planning process to input projects and programs into the company portfolio for review and approval at an executive level. Ensures that budgeted goals and performance outcomes are achieved for the investments made and are consistent with the established strategies through the use of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Participates in the project/program initialization process, through the use of advanced project management expertise to:

  • Develops, plans, organizes, and manages scope, schedule, costs and risks of capital projects requiring extremely complex upfront collaboration with cross-functional/multi-level management resources to initialize projects into the budget to meet Company strategic goals and objectives;
  • Initiates projects and programs in alignment with the corporate governance process;
  • Drives efficiency through the use of standardized T&D engineering design and materials; and
  • Serves as a focal point for all project initialization matters and is responsible for meeting all project-related objectives.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  • Project Initialization:  Provides advanced project management expertise required to develop the scope for T&D projects and programs in sufficient detail to develop a schedule and cost Class Level estimates that can be used for initialization.  Anticipates potential challenges, provides project management expertise, and develops appropriate strategies to address these challenges.  Works with Planning Department and other internal Departments to finalize project scopes, evaluates and selects the best solution amongst alternatives, to develop schedule, costs and risks for projects.  Initiates projects and programs in alignment with the corporate budget process.
  • Project Planning:  Confirms/clarifies project initiation scope, stakeholders, requirements, expectations, goals, objectives, deliverables, constraints, risks, and milestones.  Develops and maintains project initiation schedule, scope and costs.  Plans, organizes, and manages all project initiation tasks including but not limited to organizing project team, role and responsibilities, resources, schedule, costs, controls, risk and contingency measures, performance criteria/measurement for communications, budgeting, and that support project initialization activities.  Develops necessary strategies required to meet project goals.  Makes early identification of potential problem areas.
  • Alternatives Evaluation:  Evaluates alternative scenarios to achieve a functional project scope at a level that allows for the development of a project initiation plan; through the coordination of various internal and external stakeholders to identify schedule and cost implications and potential risks. 
  • Drives Efficiency:  Drives efficiency through the utilization of standardized T&D engineering design and materials.  Works with Conceptual Engineering Department and other internal departments to ensure that work initiated is supported by purchasers and suppliers that provide materials and equipment consistent with design specifications and technical requirements. Develops, monitors, analyzes metrics to track project progress and performance, including performance-based metrics and KPIs for the division and process areas as needed.
  • Project Team Management:  Provides project leadership and work direction and secures commitment from all levels within the Company, to ensure that project team members meet all project initiation milestones.  Ensures team members have all resources, information, and direction necessary to successfully perform their jobs.  Assesses progress and performance of project team members and makes recommendations regarding performance actions necessary to accomplish project initiation objectives.
  • Industry Knowledge, Leading Practices and Department Support and Improvement: Keeps up to date with the latest thinking, leading practices, tools, and techniques in project management within the utilities industry as well as other relevant industries. Participates and represents Hawaiian Electric (preferably in leadership roles) on industry and/or general project management committees/task forces to identify emerging project management issues and develop forward-thinking recommendations and guidelines.  Supports the Department Manager in the development of systems, processes, procedures and whatever else is needed to facilitate the smooth and effective functioning of the Department.
  • Participates in Company emergency response activities as assigned, including any activities required to prepare for such emergency response.

 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge Requirements

  • In depth knowledge of the principles and practices of project engineering, project management, and construction methods associated with electric utility transmission and/or distribution, normally acquired through relevant project management experience.
  • In depth knowledge of project and program management, including Earned Value (EV) analysis.
  • Working knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and codes related to the design and construction of electric utility facilities.
  • Working knowledge of Company budgeting and forecasting systems, regulatory, and material procurement procedures.
  • Working knowledge of asset strategies, including reliability and resiliency plans, and how these are translated into executable T&D capital projects and programs.
  • Working knowledge of utility operations related to electric transmission, substations and distribution systems.
  • Working knowledge of facilities siting, permitting processes, land use and rights issues including associated regulatory, social, and public affairs processes (including neighborhood boards, community groups, government agencies, political leaders, media, etc.)
  • Working knowledge of personal computers and related software applications such as MS Project, UI Planner, Ellipse, Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, MS Access, SAP, CIS, etc.

 

Skills Requirements

  • Project Management: Must possess ability to manage multiple large extremely complex electric utility type of projects with minimal or no supervision or direction, within a very high-pressure environment.  Expert ability to plan, organize, secure, and manage resources to achieve project objectives to budget, scope, and schedule.
  • Communication:  Expert written, oral, presentation, and listening communication skills. Expert ability to articulate ideas and concepts clearly and concisely.
  • Presentation: Expert ability to prepare and deliver effective presentations to small and large groups.
  • Decision Making:  Expert ability to select a course of action among several options.
  • Interpersonal: Advanced ability to relate to and interact with other people to reach objectives. Strong interpersonal skills to direct, influence, motivate and persuade various groups or individuals.  Appreciates the agendas and perspectives of others. Develops effective give-and-take relationships.  Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a team.
  • Professionalism: Advanced ability to handle difficult, confrontational, and/or sensitive issues while using tact, courtesy, and discretion, respect and fairness.
  • Team Leadership:  Expert supervisory/leadership skills and abilities to work with a variety of individuals occasionally dealing with sensitive, difficult or confrontational issues and the ability to handle such issues with professionalism by using tact, courtesy, respect and discretion.  Expert ability to identify individuals with skills to effectively function in a team environment and produce desired results. Expert ability to contribute and provide direction, support, and encouragement to collaboratively make decisions and achieve goals and objectives.
  • Conflict Resolution: Expert ability to use communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills to resolve conflicts between parties.
  • Negotiation: Advanced ability to listen and develop alternative solutions that will result in a variety of constituents reaching agreement on a course of action.
  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Expert ability to understand and accurately define problems, analyze and synthesize information, identify and evaluate solution options, and render sound decisions. Expert ability to conceptualize new ideas and deal effectively with incomplete, inconsistent, or conflicting information.
  • Analytical: Advanced ability to create and interpret trends, models, forecasts, and simulations.  In-depth analytical, computational, organizational and time-management skills to handle various projects.
  • Computer: Advanced expertise with personal computers and related software applications such as project scheduling/management, spreadsheets, databases, word processing, etc.
  • Internal and External Relationship: Advanced ability to manage people at all levels within the company, including management and executive level.  Advanced ability to develop/maintain strong positive relationships with leaders and members of the community and government.
  • Personal: Expert ability to plan, prioritize, schedule, and manage time and work to complete tasks and meet deadlines, while handling multiple assignments and remaining flexible in a demanding work environment to adapt to rapidly changing priorities and strategic direction.  Ability to conceptualize new ideas quickly.
  • Must have or be able to qualify for a State of Hawaii driver’s license. Must meet the standards for driving positions stated in the Hiring Standards for Driving Positions policy. These standards may be adjusted periodically to meet business and safety objectives.

 

Experience Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Land Use Planning or equivalent experience is required.
  • Extensive (8+ years) experience as a project manager, construction manager, designer, or engineer, with large complex projects, preferably within the electric utility industry.
  • Several (3-5) years of project management experience for small to large engineering/construction projects.
  • Several (3-5) years of experience with the regulatory, social, public affairs (neighborhood boards, community groups, government agencies, political leaders, media, etc.) processes involved with land use issues.
  • Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification by the Project Management Institute (PMI) is highly desirable.
  • State of Hawaii Professional Engineer License in relevant discipline and/or Planner certification by a nationally recognized professional society such as the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is preferred.

 

Role: Professional 

Number of Vacancies:

Location: Honolulu – Oahu

Hiring Range: The hiring range for the Senior Project Manager [Req ID 10144] position is $107,700.00 to $139,800.00. The person selected will be placed according to his/her skills and qualifications. 

 

About Hawaiian Electric Companies
Hawaiian Electric Companies provide electricity and services to 95 percent of the state's 1.4 million residents. The company is also one of the state's leading employers and a major contributor and supporter of community and educational programs.

The demand for power that has fueled the growth of the Hawaiian Islands has been met by Hawaiian Electric Companies for well over a century. And as the next millennium unfolds, the company is committed to providing quality service and seeking clean local energy sources to power generations of Hawaii families and businesses to come. Visit us at http://hawaiianelectric.com.

Interested individuals should apply online. The application must clearly indicate the demonstrated experience/knowledge/skills/abilities the candidate possesses which specifically qualifies him/her for the position.

 

Applicant Certification
By submitting an application for the position, candidates:
1. Authorize the Hawaiian Electric Companies to confirm all statements contained in the application and/or any materials submitted and made a part of the application as they relate to the position and to the extent permitted by law;
2. Authorize and consent to, without reservation, the Hawaiian Electric Companies sharing any and all information regarding previous or present employment, educational training or personal information from their records and from any other source with the hiring department or subsidiary company;
3. Release, discharge, and hold harmless, Hawaiian Electric Companies, from any and all liability for any damage which may be claimed as a result of furnishing such information to the hiring department or subsidiary company;
4. Authorizes release and transfer of all personnel records to be maintained by the hiring company in the event of an inter-company transfer; and
5. Authorize, direct, and consent to Hawaiian Electric Companies and/or its authorized agents to conduct investigations into candidates' background. These investigations may include, but are not limited to searches for information about applicants; record of criminal convictions to the extent permitted by law, education records, professional certifications, personal character references, and employment history.

 

EEO Statement
Hawaiian Electric Companies is an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status. 

Hawaiian Electric Companies complies with all applicable laws, including Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Any request for reasonable accommodation needed during the application process should be communicated by the candidate to the HR Service Center at (808) 543-4848.

 

Affiliate Disclaimer
Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., Maui Electric Company, and Hawaii Electric Light (“Company”) are Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (“PUC”) regulated companies. The disclosure relating to Affiliate Transaction Requirements that follows is made pursuant to the PUC’s Decision and Order No. 35962, issued on December 19, 2018, and subsequently modified by Order No. 36112, issued on January 24, 2019 in Docket No. 2018-0065.

By submitting your application, you understand and acknowledge that, if you are hired by the Company and subsequently transferred, assigned or otherwise employed by an Affiliate, said Affiliate will be required to make a one-time payment to the Company in an amount up to twenty-five percent (25%) of your base annual compensation.  

In addition, if you are hired by the Company and subsequently transferred, assigned or otherwise employed by an Affiliate or an Affiliate-Related Entity, for a period of one year, you cannot appear in negotiations or otherwise interact directly with the Company or work on the same matter that you worked on while with the Company. 

Affiliate is defined as “any person or entity that possesses an ‘affiliate interest’ in a utility as defined by section 269-19.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes (“HRS”), including a utility’s parent holding company, except as otherwise provided by HRS section 269-19.5(h).”

Affiliate-Related Entity is defined as “a third party that provides electricity-related services in a regulated utility’s service territory that has a material financial, operational, or ownership interest with an unregulated affiliate of the utility and of whom the utility has reasonable knowledge.” 

For a current list of all Affiliates and Affiliate-Related Entities, please see:
https://www.hawaiianelectric.com/about-us/key-performance-metrics/financial/affiliate-transactions

This list may be amended, updated or revised from time to time without notice.  


Nearest Major Market: Honolulu
Nearest Secondary Market: Hawaii