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Director of Operations - Industrial Electrical - Michels Power, Inc.

Fond du Lac, WI  ; Milwaukee, WI  ; Neenah, WI  

Director of Operations

Heavy Industrial Electrical | Midstream Energy | Power Generation | Industrial Infrastructure

Location: Nationwide
Employment Type: Full-Time
Travel: Required

Leading Operations for Critical Energy & Industrial Infrastructure

Strengthening our nation's power grid, industrial facilities, and energy infrastructure isn't easy, but reliable electrical systems are essential to everyday life. From power generation and industrial manufacturing to compressor stations, pipeline facilities, and mission-critical operations, Michels Power, Inc. delivers the electrical infrastructure that powers America's economy.

Michels Power, Inc. is one of the nation's largest and most respected electrical power delivery and construction contractors, executing complex projects across heavy industrial electrical construction, inside wiring, substations, transmission, power generation, Midstream energy infrastructure, renewable energy, compressor stations, and emergency power restoration.

Our teams provide electrical construction services for natural gas compressor stations, pipeline facilities, power generation assets, industrial manufacturing plants, processing facilities, pumping stations, substations, and other critical infrastructure projects throughout North America.

Position Objective

The Director of Operations serves as a senior leader responsible for fostering a safe, high-performing, and profitable operational environment through strategic planning, operational oversight, and execution leadership across multiple regions and project portfolios.

This role partners closely with the Vice President and executive leadership team to establish strategic goals, drive operational excellence, and oversee day-to-day business performance. The Director of Operations ensures alignment across safety, financial performance, workforce development, and execution strategy while supporting some of the company's most complex industrial electrical, Midstream, power generation, and energy infrastructure projects.

The successful candidate will lead teams supporting projects including compressor stations, pipeline facilities, power generation assets, industrial process facilities, manufacturing operations, substations, and other heavy industrial electrical infrastructure projects.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership & Strategy

  • Lead and manage divisional operations to align with the strategic vision established by executive leadership
  • Oversee multi-project, multi-region electrical construction operations, ensuring performance against safety, revenue, margin, and production goals
  • Support organizational growth across heavy industrial, Midstream energy, power generation, industrial electrical, and energy infrastructure markets
  • Develop operational strategies that enhance project execution, client satisfaction, profitability, and workforce utilization
  • Address operational challenges related to financial performance, market growth, workforce development, project execution, and resource planning
  • Support strategic planning and market expansion initiatives across key energy and industrial sectors

Safety & Compliance

  • Promote and maintain a strong safety-first culture, ensuring compliance with all health, safety, and environmental policies and regulations
  • Identify workplace risks and ensure corrective actions are implemented across all projects and operating regions
  • Champion Michels' commitment to safety as a core operational value across all levels of the organization

Financial & Performance Management

  • Review analyses of operations, project performance, costs, productivity, forecasting, backlog, and resource utilization
  • Lead and facilitate monthly operational and financial reviews with Project Managers, Regional Managers, and General Managers
  • Prepare and present performance reports to executive leadership, including the Vice President, COO, and President
  • Drive profitability through operational efficiency, execution excellence, cost management, and accountability
  • Monitor large-scale project portfolios including industrial electrical, Midstream, compressor station, power generation, and infrastructure projects

Leadership & Team Development

  • Carry out management responsibilities including hiring, coaching, performance management, succession planning, and employee development
  • Build, mentor, and lead high-performing teams across operations and project leadership
  • Support managers in developing innovative work methods and improving team effectiveness
  • Foster a culture aligned with Michels Family values, accountability, safety, and operational excellence
  • Develop current and future leaders capable of supporting continued organizational growth

Project & Execution Oversight

  • Support Project Managers, Engineers, Estimators, and Regional Leaders in bidding, planning, risk management, and execution strategies
  • Ensure effective resource planning, subcontractor management, labor utilization, procurement coordination, and contract compliance
  • Provide executive-level oversight on complex, high-value, and high-risk electrical construction projects
  • Support project teams executing work involving:
    • Industrial electrical and inside wiring systems
    • Medium-voltage and low-voltage power distribution
    • Switchgear, transformers, and MCC installations
    • Compressor station electrical systems
    • Pipeline facility electrical infrastructure
    • Power generation facilities
    • Commissioning, startup, energization, and turnover activities
  • Support review and validation of project closeout documentation and client turnover requirements

Stakeholder & Labor Relations

  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, EPC partners, utilities, energy producers, industrial operators, and labor organizations
  • Support business development efforts and strategic client engagement initiatives
  • Ensure compliance with labor agreements and promote collaborative working relationships

Culture & Continuous Improvement

  • Promote company policies, culture, and core values across all levels of the organization
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to operations, project delivery, execution standards, and financial performance
  • Identify opportunities to improve productivity, efficiency, communication, and project outcomes
  • Perform other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

  • 15+ years of industrial electrical, power delivery, Midstream, power generation, utility, or heavy industrial construction experience, including leadership over geographic regions
  • Proven experience leading large-scale electrical construction operations and project portfolios
  • Demonstrated success managing teams responsible for complex industrial and energy infrastructure projects
  • Strong operational, financial, and strategic leadership capabilities
  • Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record
  • Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite

Desired Qualifications

  • Experience managing operations supporting compressor stations, natural gas pipeline facilities, Midstream energy infrastructure, power generation facilities, or industrial process plants
  • Background in industrial electrical construction, inside wiring, utility infrastructure, or EPC project delivery
  • Experience overseeing commissioning, startup, energization, and system turnover activities
  • Proven ability to manage large-scale project portfolios across multiple geographic regions
  • Experience leading construction operations ranging from industrial manufacturing facilities to complex energy infrastructure projects

Managerial Developmental Competencies

  • Decision Quality
  • Cultivates Innovation
  • Resourcefulness
  • Directs Work
  • Ensures Accountability
  • Collaborates
  • Manages Conflict
  • Attracts, Develops, and Retains Talent
  • Builds Effective Teams
  • Drives Engagement
  • Managerial Courage
  • Being Resilient
  • Situational Adaptability

Work Environment & Physical Demands

  • Primarily office-based with frequent travel to field and project locations
  • Work performed in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions
  • Noise levels typically quiet in office settings; field environments may vary
  • Travel required, including extended durations as business needs dictate
  • Ability to lift/move 10 pounds frequently and up to 25 pounds occasionally
  • Requires close vision and focus adjustment for detailed work

Why Michels Power, Inc.?

  • Recognized leader in industrial electrical, power generation, compressor station, Midstream energy, pipeline facility, and power infrastructure construction
  • Trusted partner for utilities, energy companies, industrial manufacturers, and infrastructure owners
  • Family-owned company with long-term stability and growth
  • Invests approximately $5,000 per employee annually in training and development
  • Opportunities to lead high-impact infrastructure operations across multiple markets
  • Strong safety culture, everyone is responsible regardless of title
  • Part of one of North America's most diversified infrastructure organizations

Comprehensive Benefits

  • Medical, Dental, and Life Insurance
  • HSA / FSA Options
  • Short- and Long-Term Disability
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • Legal & Identity Protection Plans

Why You?

  • You like to surround yourself with dedicated, value-driven people.
  • You thrive on new challenges and evolving technologies.
  • You think “we've always done it this way” is not a good enough reason.
  • You want to know your efforts are recognized and appreciated.
  • You like making your own decisions—with the right support.
  • You want to be part of a team that improves lives through essential infrastructure.

Join a company that powers progress. Be a part of Michels Power, Inc.—where you don't just build projects, you build a career.

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