Who is Michaels Energy?
Michaels Energy is a veteran-owned energy consulting firm that exists to help businesses minimize waste and maximize value. Our energy and engineering gurus are obsessed with optimizing buildings and processes to maximize energy savings and profits, minimize utility grid stress and carbon footprints, and keep this big, beautiful planet in tip-top shape. Our passion is developing long-term client relationships with energy users, utilities, consultants, and partners. This passion combined with our core values of proactive and responsive service, intuitive analysis, collaborative partnerships, and fanatical execution, forms the foundation of our corporate culture.
We're proud to share that Michaels Energy is one of Inc's Best Workplaces of 2024. This award is given to workplaces that foster an environment where employees willingly go above and beyond in their work, advocate for the organization and intend to stay into the future.

What is the role?
Michaels Energy is seeking an experienced program management professional to fill a key leadership role in the company. The Director of Programs is responsible for the successful delivery of energy efficiency, load management, electrification, and decarbonization programs. The Director of Programs will lead a multi-functional team of associate directors and program engineering leads. We are looking for someone who will dig in to ensure our programs run smoothly, problem-solve when needed, and track success through metrics and long-term client relationships. The ideal candidate will thrive in leading a large team, drive solutions to maximize client satisfaction, and department profitability and exemplify Michaels' values.

Department Management

• Manage performance to align with achieving overall corporate goals
• Establish metrics and accountabilities for each function within the department
• Oversee the forecasting of future workloads and revenue
• Develop department structure and maintain appropriate staff levels to manage workloads and maintain profitability
• Support sales through pursuing client share gains, advising on proposal content, and pricing strategy, and participating in best and final interviews.
• Oversee process and standard operating procedure documentation and adherence for successful delivery of programs while improving quality, productivity, and staff retention

Staff Management/Development

• Annually review, revise, and maintain staff performance goals and metrics
• Perform monthly one-on-one meetings with direct-report staff
• Assist direct-report staff to update career development plans
• Mentor and support staff to help them achieve goals in their career development plan
• Ensure staff has the resources needed to be successful
• Maintain compensation levels and bill rates for staff
• Guide job candidate interviews for direct reports and make candidate selections
• Consistently apply company policies to staff

Program Management

• Maintain high levels of satisfaction for new and existing clients
• Collaborate with Program Managers and other departments as needed to ensure successful program delivery
• Meet with clients regularly to confirm delivery satisfaction, address any outstanding issues, and identify future growth opportunities
• Ensure program delivery aligns with contractual obligations
• Make certain data security requirements are upheld
• Ensure all deliverables, timelines, and budgets are met
• Delegate assignments and communicate with managers and staff as appropriate
• Review and maintain processes, procedures, and guidelines to achieve and maintain quality standards and client satisfaction

How do you contribute?
After 3 months, you will have.

• Developed relationships with all of your direct reports to gain an intimate understanding of their roles, contributions to the organization, and program responsibilities.
• Integrated yourself within the delivery department leadership team and gained an understanding of Michaels' business practices, accounting methodology, scorecards, and other key business metrics.
• Met with all internal delivery teams to introduce yourself and understand opportunities and challenges they are facing within their program delivery.

After 6 months, you will have.

• Met with each of our program clients to introduce yourself and integrate yourself into any recurring client meetings to help drive business goals.
• Evaluated the structure and practices of the programs department and identified areas for improvement to explore over the next 12 months.
• Worked with your team to develop revenue, profit, budget, and staffing forecasts for 2026.

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor's degree in business, technical, or similar field
• MBA preferred
• Ten years of program management experience, preferably in the energy efficiency industry
• Five years of successful leadership and team management experience
• Portfolio of program management preferred
• Ability to travel to up 25% for regional and national travel to Michaels office locations and industry conferences

Where can you work?

Remote or any of the Michaels Energy office locations: La Crosse WI, Minneapolis, MN, Cedar Rapids, IA, Denver, CO, Chicago, IL, and Richmond, VA.

Why work for Michaels Energy?

The top reasons Michaels Energy is an awesome place to work, besides helping the world save energy.

• We Never Stop Learning
• Flexible Work Hours
• Collaborative
• Career Development
• Beer Fridays
• Fresh Fruit Daily
• Wellness Rewards
• Fun Company Outings

Michaels Energy Diversity Statement

We strive to build and nurture a culture that is inclusive and welcoming for all employees. We know diversity and inclusion are essential to innovation, a strong work environment, and exceptional results. This fits in well with our culture that celebrates the unique, the different, and the individual. For us, this is who are and what we do, not just words in a policy.