Utility Project Manager Jobs in Appleton, WI (NOW HIRING)

Full-Time | Travel Required | Neenah, WI

Lead the Teams Powering the Energy Transition Strengthening and modernizing America's electric grid requires more than technical expertise. It requires visionary leadership, operational excellence, and a commitment to developing people while delivering safe, profitable, and successful project outcomes. Every day, utilities, developers, and communities depend on resilient electrical infrastructure to deliver reliable power. Behind that reliability are the substations and battery energy storage systems (BESS) that support grid stability, renewable energy integration, and growing energy demand. AtMichels Power, Inc., we help build and modernize the electrical infrastructure that powers homes, businesses, hospitals, manufacturing facilities, and critical services across North America. Michels Power, Inc. is one of the largest and most sought-after power delivery contractors in the United States. We perform the full spectrum of electrical infrastructure work, including transmission lines, substations, distribution systems, renewable energy facilities, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and critical utility infrastructure. Our teams are trusted by some of the nation's largest utilities, developers, and energy providers to safely deliver complex projects that strengthen the grid and support the future of energy. If you're a strategic leader who thrives on building high-performing teams, driving operational excellence, and growing client relationships, find out how a career at Michels Power, Inc. can change yours.

Position Summary

As aGeneral Manager – Substation & BESS, you will provide leadership and oversight for regional operations while fostering an environment focused on safety, operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and profitability. This position is responsible for project success and financial performance across the region's Substation and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects. You will establish strategic goals in partnership with the Regional Vice President and collaborate with Regional Managers, Project Managers, and operational leaders to execute those objectives. This role requires a strong focus on relationship management, workforce development, business growth, operational execution, and financial stewardship. Success in this role requires a proven leader who can effectively balance strategic planning with day-to-day operational support while building strong teams, maintaining customer relationships, and driving sustainable growth.

• Direct and oversee regional Substation and BESS operations, ensuring alignment with company and divisional objectives.
• Establish and execute strategic initiatives in partnership with the Regional Vice President and senior leadership team.
• Provide leadership and direction to Regional Managers, Project Managers, and operational teams.
• Ensure projects are executed safely, efficiently, and profitably while maintaining the highest levels of quality and customer satisfaction.
• Support project teams in resolving operational, staffing, scheduling, and project-related challenges.
• Lead and support troubled project recovery efforts when necessary.
• Assume direct project management responsibilities when required.
• Directly manage regional personnel and carry out leadership responsibilities in accordance with company policies and applicable laws.
• Participate in interviewing, hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, development, performance management, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Mentor and develop leaders across the organization, supporting professional development and certification achievement opportunities.
• Build high-performing teams by attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional talent.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with utility, renewable energy, battery storage, and infrastructure customers.
• Partner with Business Development to identify new customers, expand regional market presence, and support long-term growth strategies.
• Ensure projects are managed with a focus on maximizing customer satisfaction.
• Represent Michels Power at customer meetings, trade organizations, industry conferences, and networking events.
• Monitor industry trends and emerging opportunities to support regional growth and operational planning.

• Lead regional preconstruction efforts and RFP pursuits for substation and battery energy storage projects.
• Review and support bid strategies, project execution plans, staffing requirements, and resource allocation efforts.
• Collaborate with estimating, engineering, and operational teams to support successful project pursuits and execution.
• Provide leadership and support to project teams throughout the project lifecycle to ensure successful outcomes.

• Work with field leadership to forecast labor, equipment, and resource requirements based on current and projected workloads.
• Support staffing strategies that align regional resources with business demands and future growth.
• Regularly visit project sites to engage with field personnel and reinforce Michels Power's safety culture.
• Assist operational leaders with workforce development, succession planning, and long‑term talent growth initiatives.
• Provide leadership and oversight for regional financial performance.
• Manage forecasting, budgeting, cash flow, backlog, cost projections, revenue forecasts, and profitability objectives.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs across the region while maintaining quality and safety standards.
• Monitor project and regional performance and implement corrective actions as needed.

• Maintain and promote a strong safety culture for employees, customers, subcontractors, and vendors.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, environmental, and operational policies and procedures.
• Lead and support safety and environmental investigations, including implementation of effective corrective actions.
• Build strong partnerships with Safety, Equipment Operations, Human Resources, Finance, Business Development, and other Michels Family of Companies teams.
• Promote the Michels Family of Companies culture, values, and commitment to excellence throughout the region.
• Engineering News-Record ranks us as theNo. 1 Electrical Transmission & Distribution Contractor.
• Our steady, strategic growth revolves around a commitment to quality.
• We are family owned and operated.
• We invest an average of$5,000 per employee in training each year.
• We perform challenging, meaningful work that improves the world.
• We believe everyone is responsible for promoting safety, regardless of job title.
• We are part of the Michels family of companies, one of North America's largest and most diversified energy and infrastructure contractors.

• Health Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Legal Plan
• Identity Theft Protection and Monitoring Plan

Benefits may vary based on position and location.

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, or a related field and 10+ years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven leadership experience managing substation, utility, battery energy storage (BESS), renewable energy, power delivery, or EPC construction operations.
• Demonstrated success leading regional operations, project portfolios, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong understanding of substation construction, battery energy storage systems, project delivery methodologies, resource planning, and risk management.
• Proven financial acumen with experience managing budgets, forecasting, cash flow, backlog, profitability, and operational performance.
• Experience leading preconstruction efforts, RFP pursuits, estimating collaboration, and strategic planning initiatives.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, organizational, negotiation, and relationship‑building skills.
• Ability to develop teams, build customer relationships, and drive regional growth initiatives.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with project controls, estimating, and job cost tracking software is preferred.
• Advanced industry certifications, licenses, or credentials are preferred.
• Willingness to travel as required.
• A valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record.

• You like to surround yourself with dedicated, value‑driven people.
• You relish new challenges and evolving technology.
• You cringe when you hear: “Because that's the way we've always done it.”
• You like to know your efforts are noticed and appreciated.
• You want to make your own decisions, but know support is always available.
• You want to work to make a difference in people's lives.

Join a company that powers progress. Be a part of Michels Power, Inc—where you don't just build projects, you build a career.

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Michels Corporation’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

Form CC-305 Page 1 of 1 OMB Control Number 1250-0005 Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

• Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
• Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
• Blind or low vision
• Cancer (past or present)
• Cardiovascular or heart disease
• Celiac disease
• Cerebral palsy
• Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
• Diabetes
• Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
• Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
• Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
• Intellectual or developmental disability
• Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
• Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
• Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
• Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
• Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
• Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
• Short stature (dwarfism)
• Traumatic brain injury

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.