Owner Construction Manager- New Power Generation

NiSource Inc.; Valparaiso (IN); On-site; USD 133,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

NiSource Inc. seeks an Owner Construction Manager to act as the owner's on-site representative, leading planning, execution, and delivery of major energy infrastructure projects.

You will direct contractors, consultants, and internal teams to ensure safety, on-time delivery, and budget adherence in alignment with contracts and permits. The role requires extensive experience in utility-scale projects, EPC/EPCM contracts, and strong leadership across cross-functional teams, governance, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of utility, power generation, transmission, substation, renewable energy, industrial construction, or related infrastructure experience.
• 5+ years managing large capital projects.
• Experience with EPC, EPCM, or multiple-prime contracting strategies and utility-scale generation, transmission, substations, renewable energy, battery storage, or major infrastructure projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead owner representation as the on-site field representative with clear direction and issue escalation.
• Ensure safety, compliance, and quality through field leadership and contractor oversight.
• Oversee construction from mobilization to completion, addressing field conflicts and documenting inspections.
• Maintain accurate schedules, milestones, and progress reporting; coordinate outages and commissioning.
• Manage costs, forecasts, change controls, and payment validations; assess changes and mitigate risks.
• Respond to contract notices and changes; escalate potential disputes as needed.
• Identify and manage regulatory, environmental, and commercial risks; ensure permit compliance.
• Coordinate with sponsors, operations, engineers, contractors, regulators, and stakeholders; provide transparent updates.
• Support commissioning, turnover, and closeout with documentation and defect resolution.

Skills

Engineering degree

Construction Mgmt

Capital projects mgmt

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

PMP

CCM

PE

OSHA 30

Job description

Job Summary

The Owner Construction Manager (OCM) serves as the owner's on-site representative and leads the planning, execution, monitoring, and delivery of power generation, transmission, distribution, renewable energy, and related infrastructure projects. The OCM protects the owner's interests by directing contractors, consultants, engineering firms, suppliers, and internal partners; aligning engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and operations; and ensuring work is completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with contracts, approved designs, permits, regulatory and environmental requirements, and quality standards. The role provides project governance, resolves field issues, manages cost, schedule, risk, and change, communicates project status to leadership and stakeholders, and supports operational readiness, turnover, and final closeout.

Essential Functions

• Project Leadership and Owner Representation: Serve as the owner's primary field representative by providing clear direction and ownership, timely escalation/resolution of issues, documented decisions, coordinated work across functions, and contractor and project-team activities that remain aligned with approved project objectives.
• Safety Leadership: Demonstrated consistent field presence through timely identification/escalation of hazards, complete and current safety records, prompt closure of assigned corrective actions, participation in required safety activities, and contractor adherence to applicable safety requirements.
• Construction Execution and Quality: Oversee construction from mobilization through completion in accordance with approved requirements, including addressing field conflicts promptly, ensuring inspections and testing are completed and documented, and punch-list items are tracked through closure without avoidable impact to safety, quality, cost, or schedule.
• Schedule and Progress Management: Demonstrate accurate and current schedule information, early identification of milestone risks, documented mitigation or recovery actions, alignment of outage and commissioning activities and communicate progress through look-ahead schedules and milestone reporting.
• Cost, Budget, and Change Control: Responsible for accurate cost tracking and forecasting of construction expenditures, validating payment applications and percent-complete assessments, as well as timely and well-documented evaluation of changes claims, cost pressures, variances, and mitigation opportunities.
• Contract Administration: Timely review and response to notices and construction correspondence such as documentation of contractor performance and changes, appropriate escalation of potential claims or disputes, and contract modifications.
• Risk, Regulatory, and Environmental Compliance: Identify and manage construction, operational, environmental, commercial, and regulatory risks and compliance with permit and environmental commitments, readiness for agency inspections, and prompt correction or escalation of identified compliance gaps.
• Stakeholder Coordination and Issue Resolution: Coordinate with project sponsors, executives, operations, engineering, contractors, customers, landowners, regulators, authorities, and community representatives, as needed. Facilitate timely resolution through appropriate channels by clearly communicating project status, risks, required decisions, and next steps in executive updates and presentations.
• Commissioning, Turnover, and Closeout: Support coordinated commissioning and accessible turnover plans/documentation from construction to operations, complete testing and startup records, closure of deficiencies and punch-list items, and resolution of milestone-readiness concerns.
• Reporting, Documentation, and Performance Management: Maintain accurate, timely, and traceable project records, reports, performance indicators, decisions, and commitments to support corrective action and ensure turnover and acceptance packages meet project and records-management requirements.

Required Qualifications For Position

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of utility, power generation, transmission, substation, renewable energy, industrial construction, or related infrastructure experience.
• 5+ years managing large capital projects
• Experience with EPC, EPCM, or multiple-prime contracting strategies and utility-scale generation, transmission, substations, renewable energy, battery storage, or major infrastructure projects.

Preferred Additional Qualifications for Position

Experience with projects valued at $50 million or more preferred.

• PMP, CCM, PE, OSHA 30-Hour, or relevant utility/power industry certification.

As a public utility, NiSource provides essential services to customers 24/7. Emergency needs can arise at various times throughout the year, including during storm season. Employees may be required to support emergency response efforts, which could include working outside normal hours or assisting with tasks outside of typical responsibilities.

Work Authorization

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States and must not require employer sponsorship now or in the future.

Workplace Connection

We value a workplace where everyone feels respected, included, and able to do their best work. We encourage open dialogue, value different perspectives, and work collaboratively with employees, customers, and partners.

We recognize and respect the unique experiences people bring, including different backgrounds, cultures, and viewpoints. We treat others with professionalism and care, and we each play a part in creating a positive work environment.

Veteran Hiring & Inclusion

NiSource is proud to support veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses. We value the leadership, teamwork, and mission-focused experience the military community brings, and we are committed to providing an inclusive workplace with opportunities for professional growth and development.

Equal Employment Opportunity

NiSource is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in each of its companies to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, veteran status, disability, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, childbirth or related medical conditions), genetic information, citizenship status, or any protected group status as defined by law. Each employee is expected to abide by this principle.

By applying, you may also be considered for other roles that match your skills and experience.

ADA Accommodations

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any stage of the hiring process or to perform the essential functions of the position, please contact OneHR at [e-mail] or 1-888-640-3320

Safety Statement

Safety is a core value at NiSource. Employees are expected to follow safety requirements, report hazards, and help maintain a safe environment for themselves and their coworkers.

E-Verify

NiSource participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify program. Please review the following notices regarding your rights and responsibilities under U.S. law.

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish)
• Right to Work Poster (English and Spanish)

Salary Range*

$133,400.00 - $200,100.00

*The salary offered to a candidate is based on several factors including but not limited to the candidate's skills, job-related knowledge, and relevant experience, as well as internal pay equity.