Director, Capital Projects Development (Thermal)

Xcel Energy

Denver (CO)

On-site

USD 148,000 - 242,000

Full time

5 days ago
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Benefits offered by this job

Annual Incentive Program
Long Term Incentive
Medical Plan
Dental Plan
Vision Plan
Life Insurance
Pension
401(k) plan
Paid time off

Job summary

Xcel Energy is seeking a Director of Capital Projects Development (Thermal) in Denver to lead strategic planning and development for generation, transmission, distribution and gas systems. You will coordinate multi-disciplinary teams, define project scope, justify business cases, and manage execution strategies.

The role emphasizes leadership, regulatory knowledge, and strong financial acumen within a major energy company.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, construction management or project management from an accredited college or university; advanced degree preferred.
  • Minimum 10 years' combined experience in project management, engineering, construction, operations and/or maintenance for energy assets.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of gas, electric distribution, transmission and/or energy supply business area functions.
  • Minimum of 5 years' leadership experience, including strategy development and implementation.
  • Strong financial acumen and understanding of regulatory requirements and their implications.
  • Registered Professional Engineer preferred; Project Management Professional (PMP) preferred.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

  • Strategically plan and develop the 5-year portfolio of major capital projects across generation, transmission, distribution and gas.
  • Lead cross-functional teams to develop project scopes, business cases, cost estimates, schedules and execution strategies.
  • Provide technical analysis, documentation and testimony for regulatory filings and permits; pursue incentives and grants.
  • Build partnerships with Operations and corporate units; maintain external relationships for best practices.

Skills

Leadership experience
Strategy development
Financial acumen
Regulatory knowledge
Communication skills
Project management

Education

Bachelor of Science in engineering / construction management / project management
Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Are you looking for an exciting job where you can put your skills and talents to work at a company you can feel proud to be a part of? Do you want a workplace that will challenge you and offer you opportunities to learn and grow? A position at Xcel Energy could be just what you’re looking for.

Director, Capital Projects Development (Thermal)
Position Summary

Responsible for strategic planning and development for generation, transmission, electric distribution and/or gas systems. Provides leadership and coordination of multi-disciplinary teams in appraising, selecting, and defining the commercial, technical and performance characteristics for capital projects in the 5-year strategic plan consistent with corporate strategy, operational excellence, and industry best practices.

Essential Responsibilities
  • Responsible for strategic system planning and development of the 5-year portfolio of major capital projects and programs involving the modification, expansion and innovation of generation, transmission, electric distribution, gas, clean fuels, and/or clean transportation systems. Execute development strategies for projects and programs that balance risk, system reliability, resource adequacy, financial investment, customer cost, and executability of complex projects and programs. Aggregates, priorities and optimizes the portfolio of proposed capital projects within and across the operating business unit, the operations enterprise and the operating company. Accountability can include significant capital projects per planning cycle.

  • Leads cross functional teams to perform preliminary design and project development activities which result in robust foundation for packages for capital projects and programs. Performs tasks and activities to develop deliverables which include, but is not limited to, a defined project scope, justified business case, alternatives assessment, technology due diligence, cost estimates, project schedules, preliminary engineering designs, permitting strategy, procurement strategy, construction, and overall execution strategy. Provides assurance for the application of technical specifications, best practices and continuous improvement across capital project portfolio. Ensures an effective project handover to Operations and a robust feedback loop for continuous improvement.

  • Provides technical analysis, supporting documentation, and testimony for public utility commission filings and permit filings, and submittal requirements. Obtains financial/tax incentives and grants, and regulatory approvals. Participates in public meetings and forums. Represents Xcel Energy in stakeholder meetings. Advances projects and programs to the Investment Review Council (IRC), Finance Council (FC) and board of directors per governance requirements.

  • Establish and foster successful partnerships with Operations, Operating Companies and Corporate organizations. Develop and maintain effective relationships with other jurisdictional, business units and corporate peers, to ensure timely, effective information sharing and best practices implementation. Build and maintain external relationships in common areas of expertise.

Minimum Requirements
  • Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, construction management or project management from an accredited college or university. Advanced degree preferred.

  • Minimum of 10 years' combined experience in project management, engineering, construction, operations and/or maintenance for energy assets.

  • Demonstrated knowledge of gas, electric distribution, transmission and/or energy supply business area functions.

  • Minimum of 5 years' experience in leadership positions, including strategy development and implementation.

  • Strong financial acumen, understanding of regulatory requirements and their business and operational implications.

  • Registered Professional Engineer preferred.

  • Project Management Professional preferred.

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.

As a leading combination electricity and natural gas energy company, Xcel Energy offers a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity and 1.9 million natural gas customers across eight Western and Midwestern states. At Xcel Energy, we strive to be the preferred and trusted provider of the energy our customers need. If you’re ready to be a part of something big, we invite you to join our team.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Individuals with a disability who need an accommodation to apply please contact us at recruiting@xcelenergy.com .

Non-Bargaining

The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $148,400.00 to $241,900.00 per year

This position is eligible for the following benefits: Annual Incentive Program, Long Term Incentive, Medical/Pharmacy Plan, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Care Reimbursement Account, Health Care Reimbursement Account, Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA), Transportation Reimbursement Account, Short-term disability (STD), Long-term disability (LTD), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Tuition reimbursement, Transit programs, Employee recognition program, Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays, Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO), Parental Leave

Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.

In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Deadline to Apply: 09/30/26

EEO is the Law (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/posters) | EEO is the Law Supplement (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/posters) | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/posters) | Equal Opportunity Policy (PDF) (https://www.xcelenergy.com/staticfiles/xe/Corporate/Corporate%20PDFs/Equal_Opportunity_Policy.pdf) | Employee Rights (PDF) (https://www.xcelenergy.com/staticfiles/xe-responsive/assets/images/Content/Careers/Xcel-Energy-Careers-Employee-Rights.pdf)

All Xcel Energy employees and contractors share responsibility for protecting the company's information and systems by adhering to cybersecurity policies, standards, and best practices, recognizing that cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility.

ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

Xcel Energy endeavors to make https://www.xcelenergy.com/ accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of your website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Xcel Energy Talent Acquisition at recruiting@xcelenergy.com. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

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