What are the responsibilities and job description for the NERC CIP Project Manager position at Catapult Solutions Group?
Job Details
NERC CIP Project Manager
Project Management Office
Location: Newark, NJ Area - Hybrid (3 Days On-Site)
Full-Time Contract Position (6 months with possibility of extension)
About Our Client
Our client is a major electric utility serving New Jersey, operating critical power generation and transmission infrastructure that requires strict compliance with federal regulatory standards. They maintain sophisticated operational technology systems subject to NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) requirements and undergo regular compliance audits.
Job Description
We're seeking an experienced NERC CIP Project Manager to lead preparation and oversight for a critical NERC CIP audit for our electric utility client. This high-visibility role combines project management expertise with deep understanding of NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection standards, focusing on tracking evidence responses, coordinating across multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring audit readiness. You'll serve as the central coordinator driving execution and delivery while managing scope, schedule, and budget for this mission-critical compliance initiative.
Duties and Responsibilities
• Lead preparation and oversight for NERC CIP audit ensuring comprehensive readiness across all compliance areas
• Track CIP evidence responses systematically and ensure audit team has all required documentation and artifacts
• Direct project team personnel including utility staff, contractors, and multiple vendor teams with onshore and offshore resources
• Manage technical scope, cost, and schedule for all assigned audit preparation tasks and functions
• Serve as primary customer interface and point of contact for audit-related communications and escalations
• Provide strong, proactive, assertive leadership engaging multidisciplinary work teams to respond to audit requirements
• Lead project team members including executives, line of business subject matter experts, controllers, and schedulers through audit lifecycle
• Create comprehensive project management plans setting clear expectations and deliverable timelines
• Execute governance reviews ensuring project plans align with organizational procedures and PMO standards
• Coordinate with cross-functional project stakeholders to develop project scope, objectives, goals, and audit deliverables
• Ensure requirements are gathered, documented, reviewed, and approved per organizational and PMO standards
• Work with assigned scheduler to create detailed work breakdown structure defining all audit preparation activities
• Manage project budget, maintain financial plan, track actuals versus plan, and provide monthly forecasts and accruals
• Establish and deliver high-quality written and verbal communications including weekly status reports, dashboards, and executive updates
• Actively monitor, track, and manage project tasks, timelines, milestone attainment, and overall quality of deliverables
• Build and maintain strong relationships, partnerships, and networks across utility organization and external vendors
• Ensure contract compliance and adherence to all project management and security protocols
• Facilitate audit preparation meetings and coordinate response strategies across teams
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to data protection and security guidelines throughout audit process
Required Experience/Skills
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Information Technology, Computer Science, or related
• 8 years of experience as an IT Project Manager leading complex technology initiatives
• 3 years of hands-on experience managing security and compliance projects
• Previous direct experience with NERC CIP (Critical Infrastructure Protection) projects and requirements
• Background in audit preparation and audit support activities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with proven ability to engage senior and executive-level management
• Strong ability to manage project schedules, budgets, and costs while providing comprehensive written status reports
• Solid understanding and previous experience with Project Management Office (PMO) processes and procedures
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, Smartsheet, or similar project management tools
• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships, partnerships, and external networks
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while keeping teams informed
• Excellent customer-facing skills and stakeholder management capabilities
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills
• Proven analytical, evaluative, and problem-solving abilities
• Strong decision-making skills under pressure with competing priorities
• Ability to work effectively in collaborative team environment while managing multiple vendors
• U.S. citizenship required
• Ability to be on-site 3 days per week at various New Jersey locations
Nice-to-Haves
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent
• Additional project management certifications (CAPM, PMI-ACP, Prince2)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or similar security certifications
• Previous experience working directly with electric utilities or power generation companies
• Knowledge of NERC standards beyond CIP including reliability standards
• Experience with utility operational technology and industrial control systems
• Background in cyber security compliance frameworks (NIST, ISO 27001, SOC 2)
• Familiarity with utility regulatory environment and federal energy compliance requirements
• Experience managing audit responses for federal or regulatory auditors
• Strong understanding of evidence collection and documentation best practices
• Master's degree in Business Administration, Project Management, or related field
• Experience with agile or hybrid project management methodologies
Education
Bachelor's degree required in Business Administration, Information Technology, Computer Science, Project Management, or related field. Additional years of relevant project management experience may be considered in lieu of degree. Advanced degree preferred.
Pay & Benefits Summary
• Competitive hourly rate based on experience and qualifications
• 6-month contract assignment with strong possibility of extension
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching
Lead critical infrastructure compliance and make an impact on grid security! This is an exceptional opportunity to manage a high-visibility NERC CIP audit while working directly with utility executives and security teams.
Keywords: NERC CIP | Project Manager | Utility Compliance | Audit Management | Critical Infrastructure | Electric Utility | Security Projects | PMO | Newark NJ | IT Project Management | Regulatory Compliance
Project Management Office
Location: Newark, NJ Area - Hybrid (3 Days On-Site)
Full-Time Contract Position (6 months with possibility of extension)
About Our Client
Our client is a major electric utility serving New Jersey, operating critical power generation and transmission infrastructure that requires strict compliance with federal regulatory standards. They maintain sophisticated operational technology systems subject to NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) requirements and undergo regular compliance audits.
Job Description
We're seeking an experienced NERC CIP Project Manager to lead preparation and oversight for a critical NERC CIP audit for our electric utility client. This high-visibility role combines project management expertise with deep understanding of NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection standards, focusing on tracking evidence responses, coordinating across multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring audit readiness. You'll serve as the central coordinator driving execution and delivery while managing scope, schedule, and budget for this mission-critical compliance initiative.
Duties and Responsibilities
• Lead preparation and oversight for NERC CIP audit ensuring comprehensive readiness across all compliance areas
• Track CIP evidence responses systematically and ensure audit team has all required documentation and artifacts
• Direct project team personnel including utility staff, contractors, and multiple vendor teams with onshore and offshore resources
• Manage technical scope, cost, and schedule for all assigned audit preparation tasks and functions
• Serve as primary customer interface and point of contact for audit-related communications and escalations
• Provide strong, proactive, assertive leadership engaging multidisciplinary work teams to respond to audit requirements
• Lead project team members including executives, line of business subject matter experts, controllers, and schedulers through audit lifecycle
• Create comprehensive project management plans setting clear expectations and deliverable timelines
• Execute governance reviews ensuring project plans align with organizational procedures and PMO standards
• Coordinate with cross-functional project stakeholders to develop project scope, objectives, goals, and audit deliverables
• Ensure requirements are gathered, documented, reviewed, and approved per organizational and PMO standards
• Work with assigned scheduler to create detailed work breakdown structure defining all audit preparation activities
• Manage project budget, maintain financial plan, track actuals versus plan, and provide monthly forecasts and accruals
• Establish and deliver high-quality written and verbal communications including weekly status reports, dashboards, and executive updates
• Actively monitor, track, and manage project tasks, timelines, milestone attainment, and overall quality of deliverables
• Build and maintain strong relationships, partnerships, and networks across utility organization and external vendors
• Ensure contract compliance and adherence to all project management and security protocols
• Facilitate audit preparation meetings and coordinate response strategies across teams
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to data protection and security guidelines throughout audit process
Required Experience/Skills
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Information Technology, Computer Science, or related
• 8 years of experience as an IT Project Manager leading complex technology initiatives
• 3 years of hands-on experience managing security and compliance projects
• Previous direct experience with NERC CIP (Critical Infrastructure Protection) projects and requirements
• Background in audit preparation and audit support activities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with proven ability to engage senior and executive-level management
• Strong ability to manage project schedules, budgets, and costs while providing comprehensive written status reports
• Solid understanding and previous experience with Project Management Office (PMO) processes and procedures
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, Smartsheet, or similar project management tools
• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships, partnerships, and external networks
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while keeping teams informed
• Excellent customer-facing skills and stakeholder management capabilities
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills
• Proven analytical, evaluative, and problem-solving abilities
• Strong decision-making skills under pressure with competing priorities
• Ability to work effectively in collaborative team environment while managing multiple vendors
• U.S. citizenship required
• Ability to be on-site 3 days per week at various New Jersey locations
Nice-to-Haves
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent
• Additional project management certifications (CAPM, PMI-ACP, Prince2)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or similar security certifications
• Previous experience working directly with electric utilities or power generation companies
• Knowledge of NERC standards beyond CIP including reliability standards
• Experience with utility operational technology and industrial control systems
• Background in cyber security compliance frameworks (NIST, ISO 27001, SOC 2)
• Familiarity with utility regulatory environment and federal energy compliance requirements
• Experience managing audit responses for federal or regulatory auditors
• Strong understanding of evidence collection and documentation best practices
• Master's degree in Business Administration, Project Management, or related field
• Experience with agile or hybrid project management methodologies
Education
Bachelor's degree required in Business Administration, Information Technology, Computer Science, Project Management, or related field. Additional years of relevant project management experience may be considered in lieu of degree. Advanced degree preferred.
Pay & Benefits Summary
• Competitive hourly rate based on experience and qualifications
• 6-month contract assignment with strong possibility of extension
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching
Lead critical infrastructure compliance and make an impact on grid security! This is an exceptional opportunity to manage a high-visibility NERC CIP audit while working directly with utility executives and security teams.
Keywords: NERC CIP | Project Manager | Utility Compliance | Audit Management | Critical Infrastructure | Electric Utility | Security Projects | PMO | Newark NJ | IT Project Management | Regulatory Compliance
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