Division Manager

Job Title: Division Manager

Schedule: Monday – Friday (weekends as needed)

Location: Baton Rouge, LA

SUMMARY

The Division Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, operational execution, project delivery, and financial performance of an assigned division within Southern Power Systems. This role provides direct leadership to Project Managers, technicians, and other assigned personnel while maintaining accountability for business development, customer satisfaction, safety, quality, resource allocation, and profitability.

The Division Manager will lead the development and execution of high-voltage maintenance, testing, commissioning, and construction activities and ensure all technician’s responsibilities are consistently executed across the division. The successful candidate will be a strategic, confident, and results-driven leader who develops effective teams, drives continuous improvement, and supports sustainable growth.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

- Provide overall leadership and accountability for division operational, financial, quality, and safety performance.

- Establish division goals, budgets, forecasts, performance metrics, and operating plans aligned with company objectives.

- Direct and oversee Project Managers, technicians and ensure all project management responsibilities are effectively performed.

- Participate in project proposal and bid processes in conjunction with Sales.

- Negotiate, approve, and execute contracts, subcontracts, change orders, proposals, estimates, budgets, and labor forecasts.

- Perform managerial functions, such as preparing proposals, estimating budgets, labor costs and report writing.

- Review, evaluate, and implement project specifications, drawing releases, and design changes.

- Interface with internal, third-party, engineering, and customer technical groups to understand and coordinate all scopes of work.

- Routinely communicate project and division status, risks, schedules, staffing needs, and financial performance to stakeholders and executive leadership.

- Oversee resource allocation, workforce planning, workload forecasting, and equipment utilization.

- Monitor project costs, schedules, margins, forecasts, and division profitability.

- Ensure all technical requirements, procedures, qualifications, and certifications are maintained to allow the group to self-perform all aspects of substation maintenance and repair to perform high-voltage services for clients.

- Coordinate subcontractors and third-party services and oversee invoicing processes.

- Review field service reports and ensure quality reporting to customers.

- Ensure required site-specific training and safety training are completed.

- Manage all aspects of substation maintenance, repair, testing, commissioning, and specialty high-voltage services.

- Develop and sustain a continuous improvement culture.

- Field service work required at times to support checkout, commissioning site services, troubleshooting, emergency response, safety audits, etc. Some travel may be required.

- Define problems, analyze data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions through technical writing.

- Maintain professional relationships with customers, contractors, suppliers, and employees.

- Understand the requirements of the customer (internal/external) and implement quality work processes.

- Effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, and customers.

- Lead recruiting, hiring, coaching, performance management, and succession planning activities.

- Promote and comply with all company policies and procedures.

- Regularly communicate with customers, project managers, job leaders, and technicians.

- Additional tasks and responsibilities as needed.

SAFETY

- Safety is the top priority for our organization. The Division Manager will champion safety for direct reports and peers. The safety of our employees is our first responsibility.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, construction management, related field, or equivalent experience.

- Minimum 8 years relevant industry, project management, operations, or business leadership experience.

- Minimum 3-5 years supervisory or management experience.

- Must be highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

- Ability to work effectively with executive, management, and staff level employees with varying professional backgrounds using verbal and written communication.

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word)

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Experience managing a division, business unit, or multiple project teams.

- Functional knowledge of electrical system construction, operation, maintenance, testing, and commissioning.

- Ability to read electrical drawings, schematics, and technical documents.

- Experience with Microsoft Project or similar project management software.

- Knowledge of NERC, NEC, IEEE, IEC, NETA, OSHA, and applicable regulations.

- Demonstrated understanding of substations, substation control systems, and transmission systems.

- Knowledge of current trends and technological developments pertaining to test equipment and maintenance.

- Business development, estimating, proposal development, and contract negotiation experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

- Sit or stand for extended periods while working at a computer or attending meetings.

- Travel frequently to active job sites, substations, utility facilities, customer locations, and company offices to monitor project progress, coordinate with field personnel, and ensure compliance with specifications.

- Walk on uneven terrain and climb stairs or ladders when necessary.

- Stand or walk for extended periods during site walks and inspections.

- Bend, stoop, kneel, or crouch as needed to inspect equipment or installations.

- Lift and/or carry up to 25-50 pounds (drawings, laptops, safety equipment, tools)

- Tolerate exposure to outdoor weather conditions (heat, cold, rain, wind) and industrial environments, including noise, dust, vibration, and moving or energized equipment, during site visits.

Travel may include multiple sites per week and occasional overnight stays for multi-day projects. Prior completion of site safety training or certifications (e.g. – OSHA 10/30, NFPA 70E awareness) is preferred but not required. Training will be provided as needed.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING & ONGOING REQUIREMENTS

- Drug and Alcohol Test

- Fit for Duty (Physical) and Respirator Fit Test

- Criminal Background Check

- Louisiana Driver License Status Check