Director, Gas Operations - NorthStar Clean Energy

# Director, Gas Operations - NorthStar Clean Energy

Location:

DEARBORN, MI, US

Company: NorthStar Clean Energy

NorthStar Clean Energy decarbonizes the economy by providing clean energy and carbon management solutions to utility, municipal, commercial, and industrial customers enabling them to meet their sustainability and business goals. Additionally, we own and operate natural gas assets throughout the United States. To learn more about NorthStar Clean Energy, please visit www.northstarcleanenergy.com.

This position is with NorthStar Clean Energy, a CMS Energy company, and is not a position of employment with Consumers Energy.

NorthStar seeks a dynamic Director of Gas Operations to lead its multi-site gas fleet portfolio, including direct oversight of the 770 MW Dearborn Industrial Generation combined-cycle cogeneration facility. This executive role combines strategic planning, operational excellence, and team leadership to ensure reliability, regulatory compliance, and long-term growth. The Director will also oversee future asset acquisitions and drive initiatives that align day-to-day operations with NorthStar’s strategic objectives.

This is an opportunity to lead a critical segment of NorthStar’s operations, driving innovation and operational excellence in a rapidly evolving energy landscape. If you are a strategic leader passionate about delivering results and shaping the future of gas operations, we invite you to apply.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

- Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with organizational goals, including life-cycle asset management, business development opportunities, and proactive maintenance programs.

- Lead budget development, forecasting, and resource allocation to meet regulatory expectations and internal performance targets.

- Serve as the primary liaison between gas operations and executive leadership, providing clear updates on progress, challenges, and opportunities through reports and presentations.

Operational Oversight

- Direct all aspects of gas fleet operations, including finance, HR, IT, facilities, and administration.

- Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards.

- Establish and maintain policies and procedures that promote efficiency and integrate with other operational areas such as bioenergy, compliance, and renewables.

- Act as the primary point of contact for external partners, vendors, regulatory agencies, and transmission operators.

Leadership & Talent Development

- Build and strengthen the management team by fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

- Mentor and coach fleet and frontline managers to enhance leadership capabilities and operational expertise.

- Implement succession planning strategies to ensure organizational resilience and long-term talent sustainability.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

- Proven servant leadership with a track record of building positive, transparent cultures.

- Strong business acumen and ability to align operational decisions with strategic objectives.

- Expertise in advising and guiding senior executives in a C-level environment.

- Exceptional communication skills—written, verbal, and presentation—with the ability to influence at all organizational levels.

- Strategic thinker with a solution-focused mindset and commitment to measurable outcomes.

- Experience working with labor organizations, contract negotiations, and union environments.

- Highly motivated, results-oriented, and adept at managing priorities in a fast-paced setting.

Position Requirements:

- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Business Management, Finance, or related field required with a minimum of ten (10) years’ of applicable experience

[OR] Associate degree in Engineering, Business Management, Finance, or related field with a minimum of twelve (12) years' of applicable experience

[OR] High School Diploma with a minimum of fourteen (14) years of applicable experience

- Master’s degree preferred.

- Minimum 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in plant management, business operations, or executive-level consulting.

- Preferred: Experience in power generation or energy sector; certifications such as PMP or Six Sigma are a plus.

Working Conditions:

The working conditions for this position may include, but are not limited to, the following requirements and environmental exposures. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The working conditions for this position may include climbing stairs; frequent walking; and the ability to sit or stand for extended periods. The role may require stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling, as well as lifting, moving, or carrying items up to 35 pounds. Employees must maintain close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus, and must remain alert throughout the workday. Effective communication is essential, along with regular use of computers and related technology. The position may involve exposure to atmospheric conditions such as dust, fumes, odors, gases, and other airborne particles. Work environments may include high‑noise areas, confined spaces, and elevated locations, as well as extreme internal or external temperatures, including prolonged exposure to the sun. The role may also involve exposure to mechanical, electrical, thermal, chemical, and high/low‑pressure steam hazards, as well as high electrical voltage. Employees may be required to operate heavy or hazardous equipment and handle potentially hazardous chemicals while following established safety procedures.

To support a safe and productive workplace, the Company may require a Fitness for Duty (FFD) evaluation to confirm an employee can safely and effectively perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. FFD testing will be used only in circumstances permitted by law and administered in a manner that is job‑related and consistent with business necessity.

Why should you join our team?

At NorthStar Clean 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 NorthStar Clean 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’s Advisory Panel (WAP), Women’s in Energy (WE), Minority Advisory Panel (MAP), Pride Alliance of Consumers Energy (PACE), GENERGY, capable, Interfaith 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, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

Nearest Major Market: Dearborn

Nearest Secondary Market: Detroit

Job Segment: Sustainability, Environmental Engineering, Compliance, Six Sigma, Chemical Research, Energy, Engineering, Legal, Management