Strategic Project Manager

ACL Digital; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

ACL Digital in Madison, WI seeks a Senior-level Project Manager to lead a large hydroelectric dam maintenance project from planning through execution. The role requires frequent travel to Prairie du Sac and collaboration with regulators, contractors, and internal teams to deliver critical infrastructure for safe energy service.

Responsibilities include defining scope, managing plans, resources, schedules, risks, documentation, and compliance with FERC.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Structural, or Mechanical Engineering.
• PMP certification required.
• PE licensure in Wisconsin preferred.
• DAM Safety Engineer background preferred.
• 9 years of project management experience leading large, complex projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex hydroelectric dam maintenance projects from planning to execution.
• Partner with cross-functional teams, contractors, and regulators to deliver critical infrastructure.
• Define business needs, deliverables, and plans; manage resources and performance measures.
• Build project team and manage contracts with sourcing to support delivery and compliance.
• Ensure work is safe, on spec, and aligned with schedules.
• Lead stakeholder engagement and provide clear status reporting to regulators and partners.
• Ensure compliance with FERC requirements and regulatory guidelines; coordinate reviews with stakeholders.
• Prepare teams through training and readiness planning; oversee transition and sustainment.
• Mentor others in delivery, change management, and business consulting.
• Evaluate feasibility via cost-benefit analysis and support broader initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Risk management

Documentation

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil, Structural, or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

PM software

Job description

Requires candidates with a heavy civil/marine construction background- Must have

Client is seeking Senior-level Project Manager to lead a large, complex hydroelectric dam maintenance project from planning through execution. The position will be based out of the Madison General Office and will require frequent travel to the project site in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin. In this visible leadership role, you will partner with cross-functional teams, contractors, and regulators to deliver critical infrastructure work that supports safe, reliable energy service.

If you bring deep project leadership experience in dam/marine construction/maintenance, power generation, or similarly regulated environments, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on essential assets and communities.

The Senior-level Project Manager is responsible for the successful initiation, planning, development, administration, risk management, implementation, control, and closeout of large projects across multiple business units through Energy's Strategic Projects organization.

This role supports hydroelectric dam maintenance projects, requiring experience with FERC regulations, dam/marine construction/maintenance, and power generation, along with the ability to deliver work in a regulated environment, maintain thorough project documentation, and coordinate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

What you will do

• Lead complex hydroelectric dam maintenance projects using Energy's PMI-based project management practices to deliver on scope, schedule, cost, and risk objectives.
• Define business needs, project deliverables, and technical objectives, then establish and manage the plans, resources, and performance measures required for successful execution.
• Build the right project team by aligning resource needs and technical expertise to project complexity and overall risk.
• Manage project contracts in partnership with sourcing to support delivery, compliance, and commercial performance.
• Ensure work is delivered safely, to specification, and in accordance with committed contract schedules.
• Lead stakeholder engagement and project communications, providing clear, timely reporting on status, risks, decisions, and progress across internal teams, regulators, consultants, contractors, and other key project stakeholders.
• Ensure project execution aligns with applicable FERC requirements and other regulatory guidelines by supporting compliance planning, maintaining accurate project records, and coordinating reviews, communications, and required deliverables with regulatory and business stakeholders.
• Ensure project teams and end users are prepared through effective training, readiness planning, and transition support.
• Oversee project closeout, including operational handoff, documentation, financial completion, resource transition, and sustainment readiness.
• Mentor others in project delivery, change management, and business consulting practices that support strategic execution.
• Evaluate project feasibility and business value through sound cost-benefit analysis and decision support.
• Support broader business initiatives that strengthen project delivery, operational performance, and service to customers and communities.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Civil, Structural, or Mechanical Engineering | Preferred

Certification Requirements

Project Management Professional (PMP) certification | Required

Professional Engineer (PE) licensure in Wisconsin | Preferred

Dam Safety Engineer (DSE) background | Preferred

Required Experience

9 years of project management experience leading large, complex projects

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Exercise strong judgment to solve complex problems and implement practical, effective solutions.
• Create, organize, and maintain large, complex project plans with disciplined documentation and control.
• Operate with a high degree of independence, accountability, and sound decision-making.
• Demonstrate strong leadership and team effectiveness across complex, cross-functional environments.
• Develop and apply meaningful performance measures that support execution, accountability, and results.
• Communicate with clarity and credibility across technical, operational, and leadership audiences.
• Use core business and project management tools effectively, including email, document, spreadsheet, and project systems.
• Build productive relationships and work effectively in collaborative, inclusive environments, with the ability to navigate regulatory stakeholders and lead communication across technical, operational, and external partner groups.

Key Skills