Project Manager (contract)

Xcel Energy; Minneapolis, Saint Paul (MN, MN); On-site; USD 83,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Xcel Energy is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead the full lifecycle of multiple cross-functional initiatives in Minneapolis, MN. You will ensure projects meet scope, schedule, and budget while coordinating with business partners, IT, vendors, and leadership to deliver outcomes aligned with business requirements.

The role emphasizes governance, stakeholder reporting, and accountability across matrixed teams, with PMP preferred and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of project management experience leading cross-functional initiatives.
• Experience coordinating business, IT, vendor and leadership stakeholders.
• PMP certification preferred; Agile/Scrum exposure beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Manage full project lifecycle from initiation through closure, maintaining scope, schedule, and budget controls.
• Develop and maintain project plans, timelines, milestones, RAID logs, resource plans, and change control documentation.
• Prepare and deliver stakeholder status reports, executive updates, and governance documentation.
• Facilitate meetings, drive actions, and follow up on dependencies and deadlines.
• Identify risks and issues, documenting decisions in a timely, structured manner.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams, vendors, and leadership to ensure delivery.
• Oversee vendor deliverables and procurement dependencies throughout the lifecycle.
• Support budget tracking, procurement reviews, and financial reporting per governance.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Stakeholder management

Budget management

Risk management

Communication skills

Schedule management

Education

PMP certification

CAPM certification

Tools

Microsoft Project

Smartsheet

Jira

Azure DevOps

Excel

PowerPoint

Teams

SharePoint

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Project Manager to lead traditional project delivery from initiation through closure across a portfolio of cross-functional initiatives. This role is responsible for ensuring projects are completed on time, within scope, and within budget by developing and maintaining comprehensive project plans, schedules, milestones, RAID logs, status reports, resource plans, and budget tracking documentation. The Project Manager will serve as the central coordinator between business stakeholders, IT and technical teams, vendors, and leadership - driving execution, promoting accountability, and ensuring project outcomes align with business requirements.

Responsibilities

• Manage full project lifecycle from initiation through closure, maintaining scope, schedule, and budget controls
• Develop and maintain project plans, timelines, milestones, RAID logs, resource plans, and change control documentation
• Prepare and deliver stakeholder status reports, executive-level updates, and project governance documentation
• Facilitate project meetings, drive agenda and action items, and follow up on task completion and dependencies
• Identify, document, and elevate risks, issues, and decisions in a timely and structured manner
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including business partners, IT and technical teams, vendors, and leadership stakeholders
• Manage vendor deliverables, procurement dependencies, and third-party coordination throughout the project lifecycle
• Resolve blockers, manage competing priorities, and ensure team members maintain clarity on deadlines and expectations
• Support budget tracking, procurement impact reviews, and financial reporting as required by project governance
• Maintain project repositories, documentation standards, and final closure deliverables in accordance with organizational requirements

Skills

• Strong traditional project management expertise including scope, schedule, budget, risk, issue, and change control management
• Proficiency with project management tools including Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Jira, Azure DevOps, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and facilitate meetings with diverse stakeholder groups
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience preparing executive-level reporting and stakeholder updates
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously
• Effective problem-solving and critical thinking skills with a calm, professional approach under pressure
• Ability to influence without direct authority and drive accountability across matrixed teams
• Adaptability and comfort navigating ambiguous situations while maintaining structured delivery practices
• Experience managing vendor relationships, procurement dependencies, and project governance in regulated or matrixed environments

Experience

• 5 or more years of project management experience leading medium to large cross-functional projects
• Background in IT, technology, infrastructure, cybersecurity, operations, utility, or enterprise business project environments preferred
• Demonstrated experience coordinating multiple workstreams, managing schedules and budgets, and delivering projects in regulated or vendor-heavy environments
• Experience working with business stakeholders, technical teams, and leadership in a matrixed organizational structure

Qualifications

• PMP certification is strongly preferred
• CAPM certification is a plus
• Agile or Scrum exposure is beneficial
• Experience in utility, IT, or OT project environments is a nice-to-have

The closing date for applications for this job posting is 10/21/2026.

Pay Rate Range

60 - 80 USD hourly