Project Manager - Transmission & Distribution - Michels Power, Inc.
Project Manager - Transmission & Distribution
Location: Nationwide
Employment Type: Full-Time
Travel: Approximately 50% Travel Required
Lead the Delivery of Critical Grid Infrastructure
America's electrical grid depends on the safe, reliable, and efficient construction of overhead transmission and distribution systems. From greenfield transmission projects and system rebuilds to utility capital improvement programs and grid modernization initiatives, Project Managers play a critical leadership role in delivering the infrastructure that powers communities, industries, and economic growth.
At Michels Power, our Project Managers are responsible for leading complex projects, building strong customer relationships, driving financial performance, and ensuring every project is executed safely, efficiently, and successfully.
About Michels Power, Inc.
Michels Power, Inc. supports America's electrical and communication backbone by delivering comprehensive overhead and underground construction services for 69 kV to 765 kV electric utility systems and fiber networks. As one of the largest private power utility electrical contractors in the United States, we have a team of skilled project management and construction management leaders, experienced field construction resources, and an enviable equipment fleet strong enough to build transmission and distribution power lines and communication systems from coast to coast.
Our comprehensive project oversight ranges from logistics and scheduling to quality assurance and construction. We provide engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) delivery models on complex projects involving transmission lines, structure foundations, heavy civil construction, and horizontal directional drilling. Michels Power is a proud member of the Michels Family of Companies.
Position Overview
As a Project Manager - Transmission & Distribution, you will lead the planning, coordination, and execution of overhead electric transmission and overhead distribution construction projects from project startup through closeout. You will be responsible for project safety, financial performance, scheduling, procurement, subcontractor management, customer relationships, and overall project execution.
This role serves as the primary liaison between utility customers, engineering teams, field operations, project controls, subcontractors, suppliers, and project stakeholders. Success requires strong leadership, business acumen, communication skills, and a thorough understanding of overhead transmission and distribution construction practices.
You will play a critical role in helping utility customers safely expand, strengthen, and modernize the electrical grid while delivering projects that meet safety, quality, schedule, and financial expectations.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead all phases of overhead transmission and distribution project execution from contract award through project closeout.
- Manage project budgets, forecasts, schedules, procurement activities, and overall financial performance.
- Develop project execution strategies that support safety, quality, schedule, and profitability objectives.
- Serve as the primary customer-facing representative throughout the project lifecycle.
- Coordinate activities among utility customers, engineering teams, construction management, field operations, subcontractors, suppliers, and project stakeholders.
- Identify project risks, schedule impacts, constructability concerns, and operational challenges while implementing effective solutions.
- Ensure strict compliance with contractual requirements, utility standards, company procedures, and regulatory requirements.
What You'll Do
- Manage overhead transmission and overhead distribution construction projects throughout the project lifecycle.
- Support construction activities involving steel monopoles, steel poles, wood poles, lattice towers, transmission foundations, conductor installation, and utility infrastructure.
- Coordinate project activities with utility owners, engineers, environmental consultants, landowners, subcontractors, and construction crews.
- Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, forecasts, staffing plans, procurement plans, and project execution strategies.
- Monitor labor productivity, equipment utilization, material management, subcontractor performance, and project financial performance.
- Lead customer meetings, project reviews, forecasting sessions, schedule updates, and operational planning discussions.
- Manage contract administration, change orders, claims mitigation, and commercial negotiations.
- Review project drawings, specifications, contracts, estimates, and technical documentation.
- Collaborate closely with Construction Managers, Superintendents, General Foremen, and field leadership to ensure successful project execution.
- Support project commissioning, turnover, and closeout activities.
Why Michels Power, Inc.?
- Engineering News-Record ranks us among the nation's leading electrical contractors.
- We help build, strengthen, and modernize North America's electrical grid.
- We execute some of the industry's most challenging transmission and distribution projects.
- We are family owned and operated.
- We invest an average of $5,000 per employee per year in training and career development.
- We perform meaningful work that powers communities and supports economic growth.
- 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.
- We offer significant opportunities for advancement into senior project management and operations leadership roles.
Comprehensive Benefits Package
- Health Insurance
- Dental 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.
Why You?
- 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 enjoy building strong customer relationships and leading teams through complex challenges.
- You want your work to directly impact the reliability and growth of America's electrical grid.
- You want to work to make a difference.
What It Takes
- Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Project Management, Business, or a related field and 5+ years of project management experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience managing overhead transmission and/or overhead distribution construction projects.
- Experience working with investor-owned utilities, cooperatives, municipalities, EPC contractors, or utility developers.
- Strong understanding of overhead transmission and distribution construction methods, including:
- Wood pole construction
- Steel pole construction
- Lattice tower construction
- Transmission foundations
- Conductor installation and stringing operations
- Utility right-of-way construction
- Grid modernization projects
- Experience managing project budgets, schedules, forecasts, productivity reporting, procurement activities, and customer relationships.
- Strong understanding of utility construction standards, transmission systems, distribution systems, and utility project execution.
- Demonstrated success leading customer-facing projects while balancing safety, quality, schedule, and financial objectives.
- Experience managing subcontractors, suppliers, vendors, and multidisciplinary project teams.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
- Experience with Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, HCSS, Procore, Autodesk Construction Cloud, or similar project management software is preferred.
- Strong leadership, financial management, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
- Ability to travel approximately 50% and support long-term onsite project assignments throughout North America as required. Travel may include extended durations based on project assignments and business needs.
Join a company that powers progress. Be a part of Michels Power, Inc.-where you don’t just build projects, you build a career.
AA/EOE/M/W/Vet/Disability