General Manager - Mission Critical Substations - Michels Power, Inc.

Michels Corporation•Neenah, WI

About The Position

The General Manager will provide operational leadership for Michels Power’s growing Mission Critical Power Infrastructure business, overseeing regional operations, customer relationships, project performance, business development, workforce planning, and strategic growth for projects across North America. The role supports hyperscale data centers, mission-critical facilities, utility substations, and related power delivery infrastructure. The position is responsible for planning, oversight, and operational performance of a regional portfolio of mission-critical substation projects, with a focus on safety, profitability, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence. Working closely with the Director of Operations, the General Manager establishes strategic goals and leads Regional Managers, Project Managers, Construction Managers, and field leadership teams. The role also contributes to customer development, business growth, workforce planning, financial forecasting, project execution, and regional strategy. Work location is flexible, with a preference for candidates near an established Michels Power office. Approximately 50% travel is required to support customers, project teams, business development, and regional operations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university and 10+ years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience leading operations, business units, project portfolios, or regional organizations in the utility, substation, power delivery, mission-critical, industrial, energy, or EPC industries.
Strong understanding of project execution, customer relationship management, workforce planning, financial forecasting, and operational leadership.
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain customer relationships and identify growth and market-expansion opportunities.
Experience supporting preconstruction, project pursuits, estimating reviews, RFP responses, and strategic planning.
Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary teams and developing future leaders.
Experience managing financial performance, including revenue forecasts, backlog, margins, cash flow projections, and operational planning.
Strong leadership, organizational, communication, coaching, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
Ability to travel approximately 50% to support customers, project teams, business development, and regional operations.

Nice To Haves

Advanced industry certifications, licenses, or professional credentials.

Responsibilities

Lead mission-critical substation operations in alignment with divisional and corporate objectives.
Establish operational priorities and strategic initiatives with the Director of Operations.
Maintain accountability for project execution, customer satisfaction, financial performance, safety results, and regional growth.
Build and maintain relationships with customers, engineering partners, developers, EPC firms, utilities, and other industry stakeholders.
Support business growth through customer development, workforce planning, market expansion, and strategic initiatives.
Foster safety, accountability, continuous improvement, collaboration, and operational excellence, and promote Michels’ culture, values, and leadership principles.
Direct regional operations for mission-critical substation construction and power delivery infrastructure projects.
Lead Regional Managers, Project Managers, Construction Managers, and operational teams responsible for executing projects.
Ensure project management supports customer satisfaction, operational performance, and profitability.
Lead preconstruction and RFP efforts with estimating and operations teams.
Assist executive leadership and business development personnel in identifying customers, growth opportunities, staffing needs, and strategic initiatives.
Develop and maintain executive-level relationships with hyperscale data center developers, utilities, renewable energy developers, engineering firms, mission-critical customers, and EPC partners.
Review financial performance, including revenue forecasts, margins, backlog, cash flow projections, and operational metrics.
Coordinate with field leadership on workforce, equipment, and operational resource needs based on current and projected workloads.
Visit active projects to engage with field personnel and reinforce the company’s safety culture.
Support troubled-project recovery plans and provide direct project leadership when needed.
Collaborate with Business Development, Finance, Human Resources, Equipment Operations, Safety, and executive leadership.
Identify best practices, emerging technologies, and market trends that improve performance and reduce costs.
Lead, mentor, coach, and develop operational personnel.
Participate in hiring, onboarding, workforce planning, succession planning, and employee development.
Conduct performance evaluations and provide feedback and career development support.
Support professional growth, leadership development, and industry certifications.
Foster a collaborative, high-performance work environment and support engagement, accountability, retention, and leadership development.
Assist with promotions, disciplinary actions, and organizational development decisions.