Director, Capital Projects Development (Thermal)

Xcel Energy Inc; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 148,000 - 242,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Incentive Program

Long Term Incentive

Medical/Pharmacy Plan

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

Pension

401(k) plan

Paid time off (PTO)

Holidays

Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO)

Parental Leave

Job summary

Xcel Energy is seeking a Director of Capital Projects Development (Thermal) to lead strategic planning and development for major capital programs across generation, transmission, distribution, gas, and clean technologies. You will marshal cross‑functional teams, develop robust project scopes, and guide execution strategies while ensuring regulatory alignment and stakeholder engagement.

You will engage with operations, corporate peers, and governance bodies to advance projects through IRC/FC and

Qualifications

• 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.

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.
• Leads cross functional teams to perform preliminary design and project development activities and deliverables including scope, business case, cost estimates, schedules, and execution strategy.
• Provides technical analysis, supporting documentation, and testimony for public utility commission filings and permit filings, and submittal requirements.
• Establish and foster partnerships with Operations and Corporate organizations; maintain relationships with other jurisdictions and peers to share best practices.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Strategic planning

Regulatory understanding

Communication

Financial acumen

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

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 [e-mail].

Non-Bargaining

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

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

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ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

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