Manager, Program Management – Commercial Development

NiSource

Manager responsible for leading teams managing strategic programs for utility infrastructure development. Supporting data center expansion and ensuring regulatory compliance across multiple sectors.

Posted 7/29/2026full-timeColumbus • Ohio • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $133,400 - $200,100 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in program management for utility infrastructure projects, with a strong focus on commercial development and large-load customer initiatives. Capable of leading cross-functional teams, managing project lifecycles, and delivering strategic communications to senior leadership and regulatory stakeholders.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Program ManagementUtility Infrastructure PlanningCross-Functional Team LeadershipStakeholder ManagementStrategic Communication

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Project ManagementUtility Infrastructure DevelopmentLoad ForecastingSystem Impact AssessmentCapacity AssessmentRegulatory ComplianceData Center DevelopmentEnergy DeliveryElectric System PlanningGas System Planning

Soft Skills

LeadershipCommunicationRelationship BuildingProblem SolvingOrganizational Agility

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in EngineeringBachelor's Degree in BusinessBachelor's Degree in Project ManagementBachelor's Degree in Energy Management

Industry Keywords

Commercial DevelopmentLarge-Load CustomersHyperscale DevelopmentsAdvanced Manufacturing FacilitiesClean Energy HubsElectric and Gas System DevelopmentUtility OperationsTransmission/Distribution UpgradesProject GovernanceKPI Monitoring

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the day-to-day program management function supporting commercial development initiatives for large-load customers, including data centers, hyperscale developments, advanced manufacturing facilities, clean energy hubs, and other high-energy-demand projects.
Oversee the planning, execution, governance, and delivery of programs and projects related to utility infrastructure expansion, customer interconnections, and electric and gas system development.
Partner with economic development, account management, engineering, system planning, regulatory, and construction teams to evaluate and advance customer growth opportunities.
Coordinate cross-functional workstreams to identify and manage project dependencies, risks, schedules, milestones, and resource requirements.
Drive alignment between customer development timelines and utility capital planning, infrastructure readiness, and system capacity requirements.
Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure projects align with utility objectives, customer requirements, permitting considerations, and system capabilities.
Guide project teams through the entire project lifecycle, including feasibility analysis, load forecasting, system impact assessments, permitting, engineering design, construction, energization, and project closeout.
Monitor and report program performance, key milestones, KPIs, and portfolio health to leadership teams, ensuring accountability and transparency.
Support portfolio management efforts to prioritize commercial opportunities and balance near-term customer needs with long-term utility system planning strategies.
Identify and implement best practices that improve program governance, project execution, stakeholder communication, and cross-functional collaboration.
Develop executive-level presentations, business cases, and strategic communications for senior leadership, executive committees, and board-level stakeholders.
Prepare materials and updates for regulatory agencies, community stakeholders, and leadership teams as required.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Business, Project Management, Energy Management, or a related field.
5+ years of progressive experience supporting utility infrastructure projects, commercial development, large-load customer programs, data center development, energy delivery, or electric/gas system planning.
Demonstrated experience managing complex, cross-functional programs involving utility infrastructure, customer interconnections, transmission/distribution upgrades, or large-scale capital projects.
Experience working with or supporting data center, hyperscale, advanced manufacturing, or other energy-intensive customer developments.
Strong understanding of electric and/or gas utility operations, system planning, regulatory environments, and customer development processes.
Proven ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment.
Strong leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills.
Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and a systems-level perspective.
Technical understanding of utility infrastructure planning, capacity assessments, and project development processes.
Demonstrated change leadership, organizational agility, and problem-solving capabilities.
Strong experience developing and delivering presentations and business recommendations to Senior Executive Leadership and Board-level audiences.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Health insurance
Retirement plans
Paid time off
Flexible work arrangements
Professional development opportunities