Director of Operations - Transmission & Distribution

Overhead Transmission | Overhead Distribution | Regional Operations Leadership

Location: Northeastern United States (New York, Connecticut Region)
Employment Type: Full-Time
Travel: Extensive Travel Required (Travel may account for up to 100% of the workweek based on business and project needs)

Lead the Teams Powering Grid Expansion Across the Northeast

The continued growth, modernization, and resiliency of the electrical grid depends on experienced operational leaders who can safely execute complex transmission and distribution projects while developing people, building customer relationships, and driving financial performance.

As a Director of Operations - Transmission & Distribution, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for Michels Power's overhead transmission and distribution business across a multi-state region including New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. You will be responsible for leading regional operations while supporting sustainable growth, operational excellence, safety performance, customer satisfaction, workforce development, and profitability.

This is a highly visible leadership position responsible for translating company strategy into operational execution while supporting some of the most critical power infrastructure projects in the region.

About Michels Power, Inc.

Michels Power, Inc. supports America's electrical and communication backbone by delivering comprehensive overhead and underground construction services for 69 kV to 765 kV electric utility systems and fiber networks. As one of the largest private power utility electrical contractors in the United States, Michels Power combines experienced project leadership, highly skilled field resources, and one of the industry's premier equipment fleets to successfully execute complex power delivery projects across North America.

Our teams design, build, and maintain critical infrastructure including transmission lines, distribution systems, electrical substations, renewable energy facilities, battery energy storage systems (BESS), communication systems, structure foundations, heavy civil infrastructure, and horizontal directional drilling (HDD) projects. We provide comprehensive project oversight from planning and scheduling through procurement, construction, quality assurance, commissioning, and project closeout.

Leveraging engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) delivery capabilities, Michels Power is proud to be a member of the Michels Family of Companies.

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Position Overview

As the Director of Operations - Transmission & Distribution, you will provide leadership and oversight for regional overhead transmission and overhead distribution operations. Working closely with the Vice President and executive leadership team, you will help establish strategic objectives and lead regional teams responsible for safely and profitably executing work throughout the region.

You will oversee Regional Managers, General Managers, Project Managers, Construction Managers, and other operational leaders while supporting business development efforts, customer relationships, operational planning, workforce development, and financial performance.

Success requires exceptional leadership, operational expertise, customer relationship management skills, financial acumen, and a deep understanding of utility construction operations.

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Key Responsibilities

• Lead regional overhead transmission and overhead distribution operations across New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and surrounding markets.
• Execute the strategic vision established by executive leadership while driving operational excellence throughout the region.
• Maintain accountability for regional safety performance, operational execution, customer satisfaction, financial performance, and workforce development.
• Lead and mentor operational leaders while building a culture focused on accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Promote Michels Power's culture, values, and commitment to operational excellence.
• Support growth initiatives, market expansion opportunities, customer relationships, and business development efforts.

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What You'll Do

• Provide leadership and oversight for multiple operating groups and project teams across the region.
• Direct regional operations to achieve safety, revenue, margin, production, and customer satisfaction objectives.
• Support and develop Regional Managers, General Managers, Project Managers, Construction Managers, and other operational leaders.
• Facilitate monthly financial reviews with operational leadership to evaluate project performance, resource utilization, forecasts, and profitability.
• Review operational, financial, production, and forecasting data to measure performance against established goals.
• Develop and monitor action plans that improve operational efficiency, productivity, execution consistency, and financial performance.
• Collaborate with estimating, business development, project management, construction operations, and executive leadership teams to support strategic growth initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with electric utilities, cooperatives, municipalities, developers, and other key customers.
• Help identify and pursue future transmission and distribution opportunities across the region.
• Support staffing strategies, succession planning, leadership development, and workforce engagement efforts.
• Allocate resources across projects and regions to maximize operational effectiveness.
• Work closely with leadership teams to identify operational risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Create and present operational and financial performance reports to executive leadership.
• Promote innovative solutions and best practices that improve project execution and customer outcomes.

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Leadership Responsibilities

• Provide direct leadership for regional operations personnel and support functions.
• Establish performance expectations and accountability standards across the organization.
• Conduct performance evaluations and support employee development initiatives.
• Participate in hiring, promotions, succession planning, disciplinary actions, and organizational development activities.
• Create an environment that attracts, develops, and retains high-performing talent.
• Foster collaboration between operations, project management, estimating, business development, safety, and executive leadership.
• Champion a culture focused on safety, integrity, innovation, teamwork, and operational excellence.

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Why Michels Power, Inc.?

• We help build, strengthen, and modernize the infrastructure that powers communities and industries across North America.
• We execute challenging transmission, distribution, substation, renewable energy, and power delivery projects.
• We are family owned and operated.
• We invest an average of $5,000 per employee per year in training and career development.
• We perform meaningful work that supports the future of energy infrastructure.
• We believe everyone is responsible for promoting safety, regardless of job title.
• We are part of the Michels Family of Companies, one of North America's largest and most diversified energy and infrastructure contractors.
• We provide opportunities to influence strategy, drive growth, and shape the future of power delivery operations.

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Comprehensive Benefits Package

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Legal Plan
• Identity Theft Protection and Monitoring Plan

Benefits may vary based on position and location.

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Why You?

• You like to surround yourself with dedicated, value-driven people.
• You relish new challenges and evolving technology.
• You cringe when you hear: “Because that's the way we've always done it.”
• You like to know your efforts are noticed and appreciated.
• You want to make your own decisions, but know support is always available.
• You enjoy developing teams and helping others achieve success.
• You thrive when balancing operational execution, customer relationships, and business growth.
• You want to work to make a difference.

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What It Takes

• Bachelor's degree and 15+ years of power utility construction experience, including responsibility for a geographic region, business unit, or major operational segment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Significant experience leading overhead transmission and overhead distribution construction operations.
• Demonstrated success managing regional operations, business units, or multiple operational groups within utility construction organizations.
• Proven experience leading Project Managers, Construction Managers, Superintendents, Regional Managers, and other operational leaders.
• Strong understanding of utility construction operations, project execution, workforce planning, customer management, forecasting, and financial performance management.
• Experience supporting electric utilities, cooperatives, municipalities, developers, and power delivery customers.
• Demonstrated project management experience with responsibility for safety, schedule, quality, customer satisfaction, and financial performance.
• Strong financial acumen including forecasting, budgeting, cost management, margin analysis, and operational planning.
• Ability to analyze operational and financial performance data and translate insights into action plans.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, negotiation, coaching, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build high-performing teams and develop future leaders.
• Experience supporting business development, client relationship management, market growth, and strategic planning initiatives.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and operational reporting systems.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to travel extensively throughout the region and support operational needs across New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and surrounding markets. Travel may account for up to 100% of the workweek based on project and business requirements.

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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