Preconstruction Project Manager - Substation - Michels Power, Inc.

Michels Corporation•Neenah, WI

1d•Remote

About The Position

Successful substation projects begin long before construction starts. From project pursuit and estimating through contract execution, procurement planning, permitting, scheduling, and mobilization readiness, strong preconstruction leadership is critical to delivering safe, profitable, and successful projects. 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. As a Preconstruction Project Manager - Substations, you will lead the preconstruction phase of utility, transmission, distribution, renewable energy, battery energy storage, and EPC substation projects. You will serve as the primary coordinator between Business Development, Estimating, Engineering, Procurement, Contracts, Project Controls, Operations, and Field Leadership to ensure projects are properly evaluated, contracted, budgeted, scheduled, permitted, procured, and prepared for successful execution. This role serves as the bridge between project pursuit and project execution. You will guide project teams through bid reviews, estimate handoffs, contract execution, procurement planning, permitting coordination, startup readiness, and mobilization planning. Success requires strong organizational skills, commercial awareness, leadership capabilities, and the ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders while supporting safety, quality, financial, and customer objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field and 3+ years of preconstruction, project management, estimating, engineering, procurement, or construction experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience supporting utility substation, transmission, distribution, renewable energy, battery energy storage, or EPC power delivery projects.
Experience in construction estimating, budgeting, project planning, scheduling, procurement coordination, or project management.
Ability to lead preconstruction planning efforts including scope definition, budget development, schedule creation, and risk assessment.
Experience facilitating bid reviews, project handoffs, kickoff meetings, startup planning sessions, and project readiness reviews.
Ability to review estimates, schedules, contracts, engineering documents, specifications, and project execution plans.
Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams including estimating, engineering, procurement, operations, project controls, field leadership, and business development.
Understanding of procurement planning, contract administration, permitting processes, subcontractor coordination, and project startup requirements.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite; experience with Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, Bluebeam, Procore, Oracle Unifier, InEight, or similar project management platforms is preferred.
Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with customers, vendors, subcontractors, and internal stakeholders.
Strong organizational, analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of Building Information Modeling (BIM), design coordination processes, and design-build or EPC project delivery methodologies is preferred.
PE, PMP, or related industry certifications are preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Lead preconstruction planning activities including scope definition, budgeting, scheduling, procurement planning, and risk assessment.
Coordinate project handoffs between business development, estimating, engineering, procurement, contracts, project controls, operations, and field leadership teams.
Facilitate opportunity reviews, bid reviews, estimate reviews, project kickoff meetings, and readiness assessments.
Support contract review and execution activities while helping ensure consistency in commercial terms, assumptions, clarifications, and project requirements.
Coordinate permitting, procurement, subcontract execution, and mobilization readiness activities to support successful project startup.
Identify project risks and develop mitigation strategies that support safe, profitable, and successful project execution.
Manage preconstruction activities supporting utility substations, transmission interconnections, renewable energy facilities, battery energy storage systems, and EPC power delivery projects.
Develop and maintain project budgets, schedules, procurement plans, milestone tracking tools, and execution readiness plans.
Support estimating teams during project pursuits and help ensure lessons learned, assumptions, clarifications, and project risks are incorporated into project planning.
Coordinate internal and external preconstruction meetings, project kickoff meetings, and startup readiness reviews.
Partner with procurement teams to support material planning, long-lead equipment procurement, subcontractor readiness, and supply chain coordination activities.
Support project schedule development, milestone planning, forecasting activities, construction sequencing reviews, and project startup strategies.
Work closely with project controls and operations teams to establish initial project budgets and support forecasting accuracy.
Communicate and support compliance requirements including IRA, Prevailing Wage & Apprenticeship (PWA), Domestic Content, and customer-specific project requirements.
Monitor project readiness metrics including contract execution, permitting status, procurement progress, subcontractor commitments, and mobilization readiness.
Ensure projects transition successfully from preconstruction into operations without scope gaps, procurement delays, permitting challenges, or startup issues.