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Project Development Manager Jobs in Columbus, OH

About the Role The role of the Project Manager is to plan, monitor, control, and be held ... Coordinate and track the development of design and build through manpower schedules and ...

Leads all phases of project development, ensuring design excellence, quality control, and technical ... Manages multiple teams and subconsultants across disciplines and geographic locations. * Provides ...

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Project Development Manager information

See Columbus, OH salary details

$41.5K

$91.3K

$137.2K

How much do project development manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for project development manager in Columbus, OH is $91,317.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,900.00 and $104,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a project development manager?

A Project Development Manager is a professional responsible for overseeing and coordinating the planning, execution, and completion of projects within an organization. They manage project teams, set timelines, allocate resources, and ensure that project objectives are met on time and within budget. Project Development Managers often serve as the main point of contact between stakeholders, clients, and team members, ensuring clear communication and alignment throughout the project lifecycle.

How does a project development manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a project's lifecycle?

A Project Development Manager regularly works with cross-functional teams, including engineering, finance, marketing, and operations, to ensure project objectives are met. They facilitate communication between departments, align goals, and address any conflicts or dependencies that arise. Effective collaboration often involves leading meetings, tracking progress, and ensuring all stakeholders are informed of updates or changes. This collaborative approach is essential for maintaining project momentum and achieving successful outcomes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a project development manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Project Development Manager, you need expertise in project planning, budgeting, and risk management, often supported by a degree in business, engineering, or construction management. Familiarity with project management software such as MS Project, Primavera, or Asana, and certifications like PMP or PRINCE2, are highly beneficial. Exceptional leadership, negotiation, and communication skills help foster effective teamwork and client relationships. These skills and qualifications are essential to deliver projects on time, within budget, and to the desired quality standards.

What is the difference between Project Development Manager vs Project Coordinator?

AspectProject Development ManagerProject Coordinator
ResponsibilitiesOversees project planning, execution, and delivery; manages teams and budgetsSupports project tasks, schedules meetings, and tracks progress
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in relevant field; PMP or similar certifications often preferredTypically requires a bachelor's degree; certifications are optional
Work EnvironmentLeads teams in office or on-site; interacts with clients and stakeholdersWorks closely with project teams; often in an office setting
Industry UsageCommonly used in construction, engineering, and IT projectsUsed across various industries for project support roles

The Project Development Manager focuses on leading and managing entire projects, ensuring successful completion, while the Project Coordinator provides support and assists with day-to-day project tasks. Both roles are essential but differ in scope, responsibility, and level of leadership.

What cities near Columbus, OH are hiring for Project Development Manager jobs? Cities near Columbus, OH with the most Project Development Manager job openings:
Infographic showing various Project Development Manager job openings in Columbus, OH as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,317 per year, or $43.9 per hour.

Mgr Program Management- Commercial Development

NiSource, Inc.

Columbus, OH • On-site

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


NiSource rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 30 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

29th of 53 rated energy and utility


Job description

Manager, Program Management - Commercial Development
Job Summary
The Manager, Program Management - Commercial Development is responsible for leading a team that manages strategic programs and projects supporting utility infrastructure development for large-load commercial customers, with a primary focus on data centers, hyperscale campuses, advanced manufacturing, clean energy projects, and other high-growth economic development opportunities.
This role serves as a key link between customer development activities and utility system planning, ensuring commercial opportunities are successfully evaluated, planned, and delivered while maintaining reliability, regulatory compliance, and long-term system objectives. The successful candidate will bring experience working within the utility, energy, data center, or large-scale infrastructure development sectors and have a strong understanding of the processes required to support large-load customer interconnections and utility infrastructure expansion.
The position collaborates extensively with engineering, transmission and distribution planning, construction, operations, regulatory affairs, finance, customer solutions, and external stakeholders to deliver complex, cross-functional initiatives that enable customer growth and economic development.
Essential Functions
  • Lead the day-to-day program management function supporting commercial development initiatives for large-load customers, including data centers, hyperscale developments, advanced manufacturing facilities, clean energy hubs, and other high-energy-demand projects.
  • Oversee the planning, execution, governance, and delivery of programs and projects related to utility infrastructure expansion, customer interconnections, and electric and gas system development.
  • Partner with economic development, account management, engineering, system planning, regulatory, and construction teams to evaluate and advance customer growth opportunities.
  • Coordinate cross-functional workstreams to identify and manage project dependencies, risks, schedules, milestones, and resource requirements.
  • Drive alignment between customer development timelines and utility capital planning, infrastructure readiness, and system capacity requirements.
  • Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure projects align with utility objectives, customer requirements, permitting considerations, and system capabilities.
  • Guide project teams through the entire project lifecycle, including feasibility analysis, load forecasting, system impact assessments, permitting, engineering design, construction, energization, and project closeout.
  • Monitor and report program performance, key milestones, KPIs, and portfolio health to leadership teams, ensuring accountability and transparency.
  • Support portfolio management efforts to prioritize commercial opportunities and balance near-term customer needs with long-term utility system planning strategies.
  • Identify and implement best practices that improve program governance, project execution, stakeholder communication, and cross-functional collaboration.
  • Develop executive-level presentations, business cases, and strategic communications for senior leadership, executive committees, and board-level stakeholders.
  • Prepare materials and updates for regulatory agencies, community stakeholders, and leadership teams as required.

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Business, Project Management, Energy Management, or a related field.
  • 5+ years of progressive experience supporting utility infrastructure projects, commercial development, large-load customer programs, data center development, energy delivery, or electric/gas system planning.
  • Demonstrated experience managing complex, cross-functional programs involving utility infrastructure, customer interconnections, transmission/distribution upgrades, or large-scale capital projects.
  • Experience working with or supporting data center, hyperscale, advanced manufacturing, or other energy-intensive customer developments.
  • Strong understanding of electric and/or gas utility operations, system planning, regulatory environments, and customer development processes.
  • Proven ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment.
  • Strong leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills.
  • Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and a systems-level perspective.
  • Technical understanding of utility infrastructure planning, capacity assessments, and project development processes.
  • Demonstrated change leadership, organizational agility, and problem-solving capabilities.
  • Strong experience developing and delivering presentations and business recommendations to Senior Executive Leadership and Board-level audiences.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's Degree in Engineering, Business Administration (MBA), Project Management, Energy Management, or a related field.
  • PMP, PgMP, or equivalent program/project management certification.
  • Experience supporting utility service to hyperscale data centers, cloud service providers, industrial load growth, or large economic development projects.
  • Knowledge of transmission and distribution planning, interconnection processes, load forecasting, and utility infrastructure investment planning.
  • Experience working across utility commercial development, economic development, customer solutions, or strategic growth organizations.

Why This Opportunity?
This role offers a unique opportunity to help shape the future of utility growth by leading programs that enable some of the largest and fastest-growing customers in the market. The successful candidate will play a critical role in supporting data center expansion, economic development, and utility infrastructure investments that drive long-term growth and reliability for customers and communities.
The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the position.
As a public utility, NiSource is required to provide continuous service to customers at all times. To ensure we fulfill that obligation, employees may be required to work outside their normal work hours and perform tasks outside of their normal responsibilities in support of emergency operations.
Work Authorization
Authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.
Workplace Connection
Value inclusion within your day to day responsibilities by respecting others perspectives/convictions, engaging others opinions, creating a safe environment where people, ideas, and opinions are valued within your Team/Customers and external partners.
Respect the unique lived experiences within your Team/Customers and external work partners by valuing different world views, challenges, and cultures that represents all walks of life and all backgrounds.
Treat others with respect and consideration. Actively participate in creating and contributing to a positive work environment.
Equal Employment Opportunity
NiSource is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in each of its companies to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, veteran status, disability, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, childbirth or related medical conditions), genetic information, citizenship status, or any protected group status as defined by law. Each employee is expected to abide by this principle.
By applying, you may be considered for other job opportunities.
ADA Accommodations
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process or to perform the essential functions of the position, please contact OneHR at OneHR@nisource.com or 1-888-640-3320
Safety Statement
Promote a safe work environment by actively participating in all aspects of our employee safety program. Report any unsafe conditions and take actions to prevent personal injuries. Support our interdependent safety culture by ensuring the safety of your co-workers. Stay focused on the task at hand and promote productivity through good work habits.
E-Verify
NiSource participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify program. As part of this process, we provide the following notices to all job applicants: These documents inform you of your rights and responsibilities under U.S. law. You can view or download them using the links below:
  • E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) E-Verify Participation Poster English and Spanish
  • Right to Work Poster (English and Spanish) If you have the right to work, don't let anyone take it away

Salary Range*:
$133,400.00 - $200,100.00
*The salary offered to a candidate is based on several factors including but not limited to the candidate's skills, job-related knowledge, and relevant experience, as well as internal pay equity.
Posting Start Date:
2026-07-28
Posting End Date (if applicable):
2026-08-05Please note that the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.

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