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

michelscorporation; Neenah (WI); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Michels Power is seeking a General Manager - Mission Critical Substations to lead regional operations across North America, overseeing project performance, safety, and customer relationships for mission-critical substation projects in data centers and utility networks.

You will lead Regional Managers, Project Managers, Construction Managers, and field teams, set strategic goals with the Director of Operations, drive business development, workforce planning, and ensure profitable execution while

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee mission-critical substation operations to ensure alignment with divisional and corporate objectives.
• Establish operational priorities and strategic initiatives in partnership with the Director of Operations.
• Maintain accountability for project execution, customer satisfaction, financial performance, safety results, and regional growth.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, engineering partners, developers, EPC firms, utilities, and industry stakeholders.
• Support long-term growth through customer development, workforce planning, market expansion, and strategic business initiatives.
• Foster a culture focused on safety, accountability, continuous improvement, collaboration, and operational excellence.
• Promote Michels Family of Companies culture, values, and leadership principles.

Job description

General Manager - Mission Critical Substations

Mission Critical Power Infrastructure | Substations | Data Centers | Power Delivery

Location: Flexible | Preference Near a Michels Office

Employment Type: Full-Time

Travel: Approximately 50% Travel Required

Lead the Teams Powering Mission-Critical Infrastructure

The rapid expansion of data centers, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure is driving unprecedented investment in mission-critical power systems. At the center of these developments are highly reliable substations and power delivery systems that ensure continuous operation of some of the world’s most important facilities.

As a General Manager - Mission Critical Substations, you will provide operational leadership for Michels Power's growing Mission Critical Power Infrastructure business. This role will oversee regional operations, customer relationships, project performance, business development initiatives, workforce planning, and strategic growth efforts supporting hyperscale data centers, mission-critical facilities, utility substations, and related power delivery infrastructure projects across North America.

This position offers flexibility in work location, with a preference for candidates located near an established Michels Power office and the ability to travel as needed to support customers, project teams, and regional operations.

Position Overview

As the General Manager - Mission Critical Substations, you will be responsible for the planning, oversight, and operational performance of a regional portfolio of mission-critical substation projects while fostering an environment focused on safety, profitability, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence.

Working closely with the Director of Operations, you will establish strategic goals for the business and lead Regional Managers, Project Managers, Construction Managers, and field leadership teams responsible for executing complex power infrastructure projects. You will play a significant role in customer development, business growth, workforce planning, financial forecasting, project execution, and regional strategy.

Success requires strong operational leadership, business acumen, customer relationship management skills, industry presence, and the ability to develop high-performing teams while delivering successful project outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee mission-critical substation operations to ensure alignment with divisional and corporate objectives.
• Establish operational priorities and strategic initiatives in partnership with the Director of Operations.
• Maintain accountability for project execution, customer satisfaction, financial performance, safety results, and regional growth.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, engineering partners, developers, EPC firms, utilities, and industry stakeholders.
• Support long-term growth through customer development, workforce planning, market expansion, and strategic business initiatives.
• Foster a culture focused on safety, accountability, continuous improvement, collaboration, and operational excellence.
• Promote Michels Family of Companies culture, values, and leadership principles.

What You’ll Do

• Direct and oversee regional operations supporting mission-critical substation construction and power delivery infrastructure projects.
• Lead Regional Managers, Project Managers, Construction Managers, and operational teams responsible for project execution.
• Ensure projects are managed to maximize customer satisfaction, operational performance, and profitability.
• Lead pre-construction and RFP efforts in partnership with estimating and operations teams.
• Assist Executive Leadership and Business Development personnel with identifying new customers, growth opportunities, staffing requirements, 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 project financial performance, including revenue forecasts, margins, backlog, cash flow projections, and operational metrics.
• Collaborate with field leadership to plan workforce, equipment, and operational resource needs based on current and projected workloads.
• Regularly visit active projects to engage with field personnel and reinforce Michels Power's safety culture.
• Support troubled-project recovery plans and provide direct project leadership when required.
• Collaborate with Business Development, Finance, Human Resources, Equipment Operations, Safety, and executive leadership teams to achieve business objectives.
• Identify best practices, emerging technologies, and market trends that improve performance and reduce costs.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, coach, and develop operational personnel throughout the organization.
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, workforce planning, succession