Sr Real Estate Project Manager

Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy knows job number one is to keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.  

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship, e.g., H-1B, TN, etc. Please do not apply if you will need immigration sponsorship for a work visa now or in the future, including sponsorship for H-1B, TN, etc., now or in the future. We are unable to hire individuals with CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT for this position as the position is not eligible for participation in the H-1B lottery program and is not eligible for current or future immigration sponsorship for a work visa.

Location: This position is onsite at One Energy Plaza (OEP) located in Jackson, MI. The selected candidate must be within a commutable distance or willing to relocate (relocation package is available for those that qualify). 

General Summary of Job Responsibilities

The Clean Energy Real Estate department is responsible for the acquisition of land rights in support of clean energy development projects. These projects may include solar, wind, battery energy storage systems, hydroelectric, or other emerging technologies. The Clean Energy Real Estate team works closely with the Clean Energy Development and Clean Energy Engineering teams from the initial prospecting phase through construction to commercial operation. Acquisition strategies may include acquiring land rights in fee or via easement depending on the project. Project managers in this department typically oversee a team of contract field agents and manage multiple projects at various stages of development.

The Senior Project Manager oversees technology evolution and its impact on the day-to-day business operations. Manages multiple complex projects and there impact on staff and quality of products while overseeing the work of lower level project managers and project team members. Produces quality results by managing personnel, creating project schedules, timelines, requirements, budgets, and maximizing efficiency of resources to ensure measurable outcomes. Partners with cross-functional teams to leverage project management tools, innovative technologies, and latest software and hardware that enhance productivity. They will prepare and present progress updates to appropriate management channels on a regular basis, ensuring the innovation and results laid out in the project plan are achieved. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Establish information technology project feasibility by examining project alignment with organization strategies and plans; completing cost-benefit and information, technology, and systems integration analyses
• Oversee the coordination and implementation of projects to effectively migrate staff from one project/process to another
• Develop and implements planning for assigned projects and serves as lead contact for internal and external project partners to meet business requirements
• Coordinate with quality assurance, developers, and stakeholders to ensure successful conversion and completion of all assigned projects; provides on-going maintenance and troubleshooting
• Conduct quality assurance testing to ensure all deliverables meet or exceed expectations
• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned projects, providing updates to clients and internal stakeholders on project status, changes, and risks
• Manage scope, quality, timeframes, and project budget; develops and maintains feedback and evaluates information; maintains project documents and all communications
• Other duties as assigned or may be necessary

Additional Duties & Responsibilities

• Review and interpret technical real estate documents including existing property rights, redline and counter-redline legal documents, in coordination with CE Legal and outside counsel.
• Interpret survey documents, engineering drawings, construction plans & profile drawings, title searches, commitments, and abstracts.
• Develop landowner outreach and negotiation strategies for self-developed renewables projects.
• Provide clear and accurate communications, discussions, and negotiations with stakeholders including preparing and performing presentations for external stakeholders and outside agencies.
• Effectively manage Real Estate related project spending by providing necessary budgets, forecasting and financial analysis.
• Align and coordinate with numerous external client groups to Real Estate, including Enterprise Project Management, Clean Energy Development, Engineering, Design, Planning, Forestry, Construction, and Community Affairs.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of Agile Scrum Methodology and lean software development.
• Skill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Ability to maintain effective interpersonal relationships.
• Ability to establish program goals and objectives that support the strategic plan.

Education/Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology, Information Systems, Business Administration or related field with 4 years of relevant experience
• [OR] Associate's Degree in Information Technology, Information Systems, Business Administration or related field with 6 years of relevant experience
• [OR] High School Diploma with 8 years of relevant experience
• Experience acquiring land rights for the development of wind or solar projects is preferred

Why should you join our team?

At Consumers Energy, we offer more than just a place to work. We foster a culture that supports career development, growth, and stability, and we take pride in offering our co-workers excellent benefits and compensation packages. We are deliberately creating an inclusive culture that makes our diverse team of co-workers feel valued, supported, and empowered every day. We're a company made up of thousands of people, all with different stories to share and work to do, but we stand united in our company purpose: world class performance delivering hometown service.

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation packages
• Medical, Dental and Vision
• 401k with company match
• Paid parental leave
• Up to 13 paid Holidays
• Paid time off
• Educational Assistance Program

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: 

We, at CMS Energy, value Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. It is part of our DNA. We treat our employees with respect, we treat each other fairly and we value the opinions of others. We are passionate about building and nurturing an environment where everyone feels included. We don’t discriminate. We seek to learn about each other and better understand our unique differences. Our uniqueness makes us authentic. We create safe spaces where everyone can be who they truly are. We invite difficult conversations and uncomfortable topics. We value diverse perspectives; this is what makes us great together. We harbor an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to share their backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. Our Employee Resource Groups, Women in Energy (WE), Minority Advisory Panel (MAP), Pride Alliance of Consumers Energy (PACE), GENERGY (Different Generations), capable (Different Abilities), Interfaith, People Planet Partners, and Veterans Advisory Panel (VAP) are key enablers to living the values of our company culture: Caring, Empowered, Deliberate, Agility, and Ownership.

All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.