How This Role is Unique NTH is seeking a Project Director to help grow our client footprint and market presence within the utility and municipal, transmission, distribution, and substation markets. This is a senior client-facing and market-development role for an experienced utility and energy professional who understands how major utility infrastructure projects move from opportunity through execution.
The Project Director will develop strategic client relationships, identify and convert new opportunities, provide executive client leadership for major projects, and help shape NTH's growth strategy in the target markets. The role will work closely with NTH's electrical, civil, environmental, geotechnical, and construction professionals while being part of the Electrical Engineering Power and Utilities Division.
The Project Director's value will be in client leadership, market knowledge, project strategy, stakeholder coordination, and aligning NTH's technical capabilities with client needs.
How You Will Make an ImpactMARKET GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
- Develop and execute a focused growth strategy for transmission, distribution, and substation engineering work within the public power and investor-owned utility markets.
- Develop and maintain relationships with utility executives, municipal leaders, industry partners, and other key stakeholders through regular client engagement and industry involvement.
- Identify emerging client needs, capital programs, market trends, regulatory drivers, and upcoming project opportunities; translate that intelligence into actionable opportunity for NTH.
- Lead account planning, opportunity qualification, capture strategies, and pursuit activities that convert relationships into secured work.
- Promote and expand NTH's multidisciplinary services within utility and municipal markets.
CLIENT AND PROJECT LEADERSHIP
- Serve as executive client lead and trusted advisor for selected major utility, transmission, municipal, and energy projects.
- Lead early project development activities and partner with internal technical resources to define project strategies, scopes, delivery approaches, and fee structures.
- Provide executive oversight of client satisfaction, project performance, staffing, risk management, and overall delivery.
- Support resolution of significant client, contractual, permitting, stakeholder, and project execution issues.
- Coordinate across NTH divisions and outside partners to assemble the right team for multidisciplinary opportunities.
ELECTRIC DIVISION STRATEGIC GROWTH
- Partner with the Director of Electrical Engineering Division to expand NTH's electrical engineering services and align growth initiatives with market needs.
- Support development and execution of division growth plans, account strategies, and opportunity pipelines.
- Help position NTH for utility transmission, distribution, and substation projects through strategic relationships and teaming partnerships.
TALENT AND TEAM DEVELOPMENT
- Assist in recruiting and developing utility, transmission, substation, project management, and electrical engineering talent.
- Mentor project managers and client-facing staff in relationship development, client communication, and business development practices.
What You Bring to The Team- REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in business, planning, engineering, construction, public administration, energy management, or a related field; equivalent senior-level utility or energy industry experience may be considered.
- 15+ years of progressive experience in the electric utility, transmission, public power, renewable energy, energy development, or related infrastructure market.
- Established understanding of Michigan and Midwest utility and energy markets, including municipal utilities, public power, investor-owned utilities, transmission organizations, and industry stakeholders.
- Demonstrated success developing senior-level client relationships and converting those relationships into business opportunities and secured work.
- Experience leading or supporting major utility, transmission, distribution, substation, or infrastructure projects, including stakeholder engagement, project development, permitting, consultant management, or related activities.
- Strong communication and leadership skills with the ability to engage clients, facilitate discussions, organize complex information, and drive projects toward defined outcomes.
- Experience developing proposals, qualifications packages, presentations, and pursuit strategies in collaboration with technical teams.
- Strong judgment regarding client expectations, organizational dynamics, confidentiality, conflicts, and professional boundaries.
- Strong organizational skills, follow-through, accountability, and ability to manage multiple relationships, pursuits, and strategic initiatives simultaneously.
- Must hold a valid driver's license and be willing to travel to client sites, project locations, offices, and industry events as needed.
- May be required to perform job duties in the field and office, during non-standard work hours, as necessary.
- Must be able to lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 lbs.
- PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Existing relationships within Michigan or Midwest municipal utility, public power, transmission, renewable energy, and economic development communities.
- Experience with transmission siting, utility-scale renewable energy development, battery energy storage, generation interconnection, or utility capital programs.
- Experience managing consultants, multidisciplinary project teams, development partners, or major stakeholder programs.
- Experience recruiting senior utility, energy, engineering, or project-management professionals.
- Familiarity with MISO processes and utility or transmission interconnection requirements.
- Experience serving as a client executive, account leader, project director, market leader, or development leader.
Why You'll Love Working At NTH- Rewards For Performance - We recognize great work with competitive pay with a generous compensation program to reward performance. Bonus programs are available for eligible roles.
- Career Roadmaps & Professional Growth - At NTH, managers meet with staff quarterly to support goal setting and growth through our Career Planning program. With clear career roadmaps for every role, you'll see your path forward and grow with us.
- Project Excellence - Our Project Excellence career track offers a clear path into project management, backed by robust training and mentoring to help you lead successful projects and deliver exceptional client experiences.
- Planning For Your Future - Plan for your future with our 401(k) program, including a company match to help you build long-term financial security. Plus, through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), you become an employee owner of the firm, sharing in the success you help create. As we grow and succeed together, you directly benefit from your ESOP retirement savings.
- Flexible-Hybrid Work Environment - Balance matters. For eligible roles; work where you're most productive-whether that's at home, in the office, or a mix of both.
- Generous Time Off - Enjoy a robust paid time off plan and a company holiday package designed to help you truly disconnect and recharge.
- Road to Wellness - Access our company-paid Employee Assistance Program and take part in wellness initiatives that support your physical, mental, and financial health.
- Comprehensive Benefits - We offer a range of plans to support you and your family's health needs including: medical, dental, vision, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, supplemental life insurance for employee, spouse, and dependents, HSA, and FSA. Life insurance, short term disability, and long-term disability are provided by NTH.
- Inclusive & Engaging Culture - We believe work should be rewarding and enjoyable. From inclusive company events to team celebrations, there's always something happening.
- Chief Pet Officer (CPO) Competition - Yes, it's a thing. Each year, we vote for our beloved CPO (that's Chief Pet Officer )-because every great team needs a mascot.
