Primavera P6
Mahmoud Abdelazim
Project Manager - PMP®
Jubail
Summary
PMP® Certified Project Manager (pursuing an MBA) with extensive experience leading high-stakes projects across Saudi Arabia's key industrial sectors: Oil & Gas (Aramco, SASREF), Power Generation & Transmission (SEC), Industries (Sabic-Hadeed), and Water Desalination (SWA). Proven expertise in managing complex brownfield/retrofit projects (from protection upgrades to full substation replacements) and critical emergency power restorations, including total plant blackouts.
Leverages a significant competitive advantage: a deep technical foundation in electrical engineering, including hands-on expertise in design (AutoCAD and ELCAD), high-voltage testing (up to 380 kV), and site commissioning.
This technical background is crucial for managing high-risk scopes, from reverse engineering control systems (SWA) and ensuring live plant safety (Aramco) to implementing modern cybersecurity standards (SASREF). Expert in leading the full project lifecycle, directing multi-disciplinary teams, and controlling project schedules, cost baselines, and risk, while serving as the primary point of communication for all stakeholders.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
2
2
Languages
Work History
Project Manager
Al-Fanar | SASREF Refinery Project
09.2025 - Current
- Led the full project lifecycle for the replacement of MV switchgear across six active refinery substations and the installation of a new Power Management System (PMS).
- Managed all project planning, scheduling, and risk mitigation strategies to ensure alignment with strategic objectives and on-time, on-budget delivery.
- Developed comprehensive project plans, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and minimizing risks throughout the project lifecycle.
- Direct cross-functional teams and facilitate all stakeholder/client meetings, from initial project kick-off to regular progress and requirements-gathering updates.
- Leading the full procurement lifecycle, from sourcing and vetting vendors to coordinating material delivery and service contracts.
- Ensured strict compliance with SASREF cybersecurity standards throughout PMS design and implementation.
- Monitored project performance, managed scope, and implemented process improvements to enhance efficiency and maintain alignment with original objectives.
Project Lead / Site Manager
Al-Fanar
01.2023 - 01.2025
- SWA (SWCC) Plant – Total Blackout Recovery: Led the emergency response to a catastrophic fire, resulting in a total plant blackout. Restored essential services in 3 weeks by managing reverse engineering and fast-track logistics.
- Hadeed (Sabic) Plant – Emergency Power Restoration: Led a rapid-response team to restore critical power in less than one week following a major fire, managing fast-track cabling and transformer servicing.
- Safaniyah Onshore Plant (Aramco): Directed a team of 80+ personnel (Zero LTIs), managed the project schedule and cost baseline, and secured Aramco approval for all 12 Method Statements.
- Team Leadership & Development: Recruited, trained, and mentored site teams (up to 10 direct reports), setting performance targets and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Site & Safety Management: Oversaw all site operations, conducting regular inspections and meetings to ensure strict adherence to quality standards and safety regulations (OSHA, Aramco), resulting in zero incidents.
- Planning & Resource Management: Developed project schedules, budgets, and forecasts; optimized resource allocation and logistics to reduce downtime and meet critical project milestones.
- Procurement & Subcontractor Management: Managed all subcontractor activities and negotiated supplier contracts to secure favorable terms and ensure budget adherence.
- Stakeholder Communication & Reporting: Served as the primary point of contact for clients, providing regular updates on project status, budget, and performance to all stakeholders.
Testing & Commissioning Leader
Al-Fanar
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Led and mentored a team of junior engineers for the National Guard 115/13.8 kV Substation project, providing technical guidance and setting performance standards.
- Managed the complete commissioning lifecycle for all MV Switchgear, from reviewing design documents and analyzing client requirements to final system handover.
- Developed detailed testing protocols and oversaw all site tests, including complex protection relay configuration and closed-loop testing with the CCR.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to resolve technical issues and communicated all commissioning activities and progress reports to clients (SEC) and internal stakeholders.
- Reviewed vendor documents/drawings based on technical experience to ensure alignment with project technical specifications.
Site Manager – Electrical & Instrumentation
Al-Fanar
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Directed three specialized site teams (Electrical, Instrumentation, Cabling) for the complete E&I installation of the Al Lith RO Desalination Plant.
- Managed the full site execution scope, including transformers, MV/LV Switchgear, MCCs, VFDs, and all field instruments.
- Coordinated daily with Civil and Mechanical disciplines to resolve site issues, optimize workflow, and prevent delays.
- Led all site planning, scheduling, and resource management, conducting regular inspections to ensure adherence to safety protocols and quality standards.
- Managed all stakeholder communication, including mentoring junior staff and delivering weekly/monthly progress reports to the client and leadership.
Testing & Site Engineer
Al-Fanar
01.2017 - 01.2021
- Served as a key technical engineer on major projects, including Ras El Khair 380kV Substation, Riyadh Metro (Lines 4, 5, 6), and Fadhili 380kV Substation.
- Conducted comprehensive testing, commissioning, and maintenance for HV/MV equipment up to 380kV, including GIS, transformers, protection relays, and switchgear.
- Executed all on-site installation activities, managed equipment/tool inventory, and collaborated with cross-functional teams to resolve site issues.
- Performed advanced troubleshooting and root cause analysis for complex electrical system failures, analyzing test data to ensure reliability.
Electrical Engineer (Design & Site)
SMART POWER
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Designed secondary electrical systems for 66kV and EHV 500kV substations, creating detailed schematic drawings using ELCAD (Siemens).
- Transitioned from design to site execution, assisting with the installation and on-site evaluation of electrical systems and components.
- Managed all on-site testing, commissioning, and final inspection of completed installations to verify conformance with design specifications.
- Developed comprehensive technical documentation, including schematics, calculations, reports, and as built for client and regulatory review.
- Successfully managed the final system handover to the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC), providing technical support throughout the process.
Education
Master of Business Administration -
06-2026
B.Sc. - Electrical Engineering (Power and Machines)
Helwan University, Faculty of Engineering
Cairo, Egypt05-2014
Skills
Project Management- PMP Methodologies & Full Lifecycle Management- Project Scheduling (Primavera P6) & Cost Baseline Control- Scope, Risk & Change Management- Procurement, Vendor & Subcontractor Management- Crisis Management & Emergency Response (SWA/Hadeed)- Stakeholder & Client Relations (Aramco, SEC, SASREF)
Certification
Project Management Professional (PMP) | ID: 3967041 | Valid: 2024-10 – 2027-10
Accomplishments
- Completed Projects in Saudi Arabia:
- Debottleneck project of Aramco-onshore Safanyiah plant
- Power Restoration at SWA (SWCC) water plant at Jubail
- Power Restoration at Sabic-Hadeed factory at Jubail
- E&I installation for SWA (SWCC) RO water plant at Allaith
- Designed and Recently Launched Projects:
- Protection upgrade for Ghazlan PP (SEC)
- Phase#1 MV Switchgear Replacement & PMS installation for SASREF Refinery and Causeway
Affiliations
- Member of Project Management Institute (PMI)
- Member of Egyptian Engineers Syndicate (EES)
- Member of Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE)
Software
AutoCAD
Microsoft Office Applications
ELCAD
Interests
Business Administration (BA) & Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Timeline
Project Manager
Al-Fanar | SASREF Refinery Project
09.2025 - Current
Project Lead / Site Manager
Al-Fanar
01.2023 - 01.2025
Testing & Commissioning Leader
Al-Fanar
01.2022 - 01.2023
Site Manager – Electrical & Instrumentation
Al-Fanar
01.2021 - 01.2022
Testing & Site Engineer
Al-Fanar
01.2017 - 01.2021
Electrical Engineer (Design & Site)
SMART POWER
01.2016 - 01.2017
Master of Business Administration -
B.Sc. - Electrical Engineering (Power and Machines)
Helwan University, Faculty of Engineering