Exec Dir Growth

General Summary of Job Responsibilities

The bold, strategic, and highly effective Executive Director of Growth will be the lead for one of the company's top priorities, delivering 2.8 gigawatts of new electric load by 2035. This role is about more than economic development -- it's about building the future of Michigan's energy economy while positioning our company as the utility of choice for high-impact, high-load customers. The Executive Director of Growth will be accountable for shaping and executing the company's load growth strategy, attracting and retaining customers across key sectors like data centers, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and residential development. This role will build and lead a high-performing team, serve as the company's face in growth-focused conversations across the state, and deliver measurable results that matter to the future of our business and the communities we serve. This is a builder role, responsible for building a vision and translating it into a practical strategy while executing with urgency, clarity and accountability.

#LI-RT1

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Enterprise Strategy, Leadership and Accountability: Define and lead the growth roadmap aligned to company goals, with clear milestones and KPIs. Build and evolve the team to ensure we have the right people that are dialed in and delivering on the mission. Deliver measurable progress toward our 2.8 GW load growth goal and regulatory report on results to executive leadership. Collaborate across the enterprise to unlock cross-functional support and ensure our growth work is well-integrated.
• External Engagement and Partnership: Lead a team of regionally situated economic development professionals embedded in local chambers, business groups, and communities to generate leads and stay connected to local momentum. Serve as the senior point of contact to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and other statewide organizations to ensure tight alignment and collaboration. Represent the company externally and cultivate trusted relationships with developers, site selectors, and key business leaders.
• Sector Strategy and Expertise: Build and lead a team of sector experts. Ensure the company understands each industry's drivers, tailors proposals accordingly, and demonstrates creativity and credibility in every interaction. Monitor policy trends and competitive landscapes to help Michigan -- and our company -- stand out.
• Site Readiness and Development: Oversee strategy and execution for site identification and development to ensure locations are energy-ready, competitive, and positioned for growth. Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to remove barriers and improve site viability.
• Operational Support and Internal Coordination: Lead a central back-office support team to: respond to RFPs/RFIs, manage contract negotiations and documentation, coordinate across internal partners, and drive project performance management to track pipeline, deadlines, and milestones with discipline and urgency.
• Other non-essential duties as assigned or may be necessary

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Thinks strategically and executes relentlessly.
• Energized by building something from the ground up.
• Has a sharp eye for talent and develops others.
• Connects internal and external dots with confidence and creativity.
• Understands how to navigate large organizations and drive alignment.
• Is passionate about growing Michigan's economy -- and our company's role in it.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or Economics and 12+ years of experience in economic development, business attraction, strategy, or large-scale program leadership. Track record of building and leading teams. Demonstrated ability to deliver results through strategy, structure, and execution. Executive presence and strong stakeholder management skills. Deep familiarity with energy, infrastructure, or growth-intensive sectors is a plus. 
• [OR]  Associate's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or Economics and 14+ years of experience in economic development, business attraction, strategy, or large-scale program leadership. Track record of building and leading teams. Demonstrated ability to deliver results through strategy, structure, and execution. Executive presence and strong stakeholder management skills. Deep familiarity with energy, infrastructure, or growth-intensive sectors is a plus. 
• [OR] High School diploma and 16+ years of experience in economic development, business attraction, strategy, or large-scale program leadership. Track record of building and leading teams. Demonstrated ability to deliver results through strategy, structure, and execution. Executive presence and strong stakeholder management skills. Deep familiarity with energy, infrastructure, or growth-intensive sectors is a plus.