General Manager of Preconstruction - Michels Power, Inc.

Michels Corporation•Neenah, WI

2d•Remote

About The Position

Lead the Strategy Behind Winning Power Delivery Projects Successful infrastructure projects begin long before construction starts. Accurate estimating, sound execution strategies, risk evaluation, procurement planning, constructability assessments, and strong commercial alignment are critical to securing work and positioning projects for safe, profitable execution. At Michels Power, Inc., we help utilities, developers, and energy providers build and maintain the infrastructure that powers communities across North America. From transmission and distribution systems to substations, renewable energy facilities, and battery energy storage systems, our teams deliver the critical infrastructure needed to strengthen and modernize the electric grid. As one of the nation's leading power delivery contractors, Michels Power combines engineering expertise, construction excellence, and operational experience to deliver some of the industry's most complex electrical infrastructure projects safely and successfully. Position Overview As the General Manager - Preconstruction, you will provide strategic leadership for Michels Power's preconstruction organization, project pursuits, preconstruction planning, constructability reviews, procurement strategy, risk management, and project startup activities across the company's power delivery portfolio. You will lead a team of preconstruction professionals and technical specialists while partnering closely with operations, estimators, engineering, procurement, project controls, business development, and executive leadership teams. This role is responsible for establishing preconstruction standards, driving consistency across project pursuits, managing organizational resources, and helping secure and successfully launch major power delivery projects. Success requires strong leadership capabilities, business acumen, technical knowledge of power delivery construction, and the ability to align preconstruction strategies with the company's operational and financial objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, Project Management, or a related discipline and 10+ years of progressive experience in estimating, preconstruction, operations, project management, engineering, or power delivery construction, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated leadership experience overseeing preconstruction, estimating, project pursuit, or operational teams within the utility, transmission, distribution, substation, renewable energy, or EPC construction industries.
Strong understanding of project estimating, budgeting, scheduling, procurement planning, contract strategy, risk management, and project execution methodologies.
Experience leading large, complex project pursuits and supporting customer-facing proposal and interview processes.
Experience collaborating with executive leadership, business development, operations, engineering, project controls, procurement, and project management teams.
Strong commercial acumen with the ability to evaluate project opportunities, assess risk, and support strategic business decisions.
Experience supporting transmission, distribution, substation, renewable energy, battery energy storage, or utility infrastructure projects.
Exceptional leadership, organizational, analytical, negotiation, presentation, and communication skills.
Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
Ability to travel up to 35% to support project pursuits, customer meetings, strategic planning activities, and operational reviews.

Nice To Haves

Experience with HeavyBid, InEight, Primavera P6, Bluebeam, Microsoft Project, Oracle Unifier, or similar estimating and project management platforms is preferred.
PMP, PE, CCM, MBA, or other industry-related certifications are preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and strategic direction for all preconstruction and project pursuit activities across Michels Power.
Develop and implement preconstruction standards, processes, best practices, and organizational initiatives that improve consistency, quality, and operational readiness.
Oversee constructability reviews, execution planning, risk assessments, and proposal development activities.
Lead bid review processes and pursuit strategies while ensuring alignment between commercial objectives and operational execution plans.
Manage staffing, workload balancing, resource planning, training, and development activities within the preconstruction organization.
Partner with executive leadership to support strategic growth initiatives, market expansion opportunities, and key customer relationships.
Provide executive oversight for preconstruction activities supporting transmission, distribution, substation, renewable energy, battery energy storage, and EPC power delivery projects.
Lead major project pursuits from opportunity evaluation through award, contract execution, and operational handoff.
Guide teams in developing conceptual budgets, pricing strategies, and risk-adjusted project evaluations.
Collaborate with operations leaders to validate execution strategies, labor assumptions, procurement approaches, and schedule requirements.
Support customer engagement activities, executive presentations, project interviews, and proposal review efforts.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on forecasting performance, organizational efficiency, and project startup success.
Monitor market conditions, labor trends, material pricing, subcontractor capacity, and industry developments affecting project pursuits.
Develop future leaders within the preconstruction organization through coaching, mentorship, and professional development initiatives.