Strategic Growth Project Manager

Job Specifications

Black Hills Energy is people powered and purpose driven. Our team uses the power of energy to improve life for over one million customers in 800+ communities across the West and Midwest. We seek talented, caring people who embody our core values and contribute to a culture of inclusion and growth. As an organization, we believe the best part of working on our team is our commitment to making tomorrow better than today—for our customers, communities and each other.

Position summary:

This role will support all strategic growth at Black Hills Energy by analyzing market trends, client needs, and competitive landscape. This role will assist in the development of strategic opportunities to attract and secure new business development opportunities including data center clients.

Pay Range: $103,150 - $170,200 (This posting includes the full pay range for this position. Pay is based on a number of factors and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and internal equity.)

Reporting Relationship: VP of Strategic Growth

Location: Rapid City, South Dakota

Be part of a supportive organization that values work-life balance! Enjoy a flexible work schedule with the ability to work from home up to two days a week. Please note, this benefit is subject to change based on company policies and leadership discretion.

Relocation Assistance: Relocation assistance is available based on individual circumstances! Details to be shared during the offer process.

Essential Functions:

- Develop and execute strategic project plans, objectives, schedules, and budgets for data center expansion and other new growth opportunities to align with the company's growth goals.

- Lead cross-functional project teams to plan, execute, and monitor strategic growth initiatives from inception to completion.

- Identify and target potential data center customers, developing strategies to attract and secure new business.

- Design and implement strategic growth programs aimed at expanding the utility’s customer base, with clear timelines, deliverables, and performance metrics.

- Ensure all business development activities comply with industry standards and regulations. Identify and mitigate project risks associated with client acquisition and contract negotiations by proactively resolving issues that may impact scope, schedule, or budget.

- Manage vendor and partner relationships by coordinating onboarding processes, tracking performance, and overseeing contract execution to support project goals.

- Deliver executive-level reporting by synthesizing market research into actionable insights and presenting findings that inform strategic decision-making.

- Provide regular project updates to leadership on client acquisition efforts and growth initiatives.

- Establish project goals, KPIs, and success metrics, and track progress against these benchmarks to ensure alignment with business objectives.

- Develop and implement project management tools and frameworks to track progress, monitor performance, and manage changes in scope, schedule, and costs, ensuring projects remain aligned with strategic objectives.

Additional Responsibilities:

- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of regulatory requirements affecting data center operations and utility services.

- Facilitate clear and transparent communication among stakeholders, ensuring timely updates and alignment across departments and leadership, while building consensus across diverse groups with multiple interdependent priorities.

- Other duties as assigned.

What Is Required:

- Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

- Minimum of 5 years' experience in strategy development, business development, account management, project management, sales, data analytics, market research or a related role is required.

- Ability to manage complex, multi-faceted projects by prioritizing critical paths, escalating risks and issues, engaging stakeholders, and driving problem-solving across workstreams, while navigating ambiguity through proactive interaction planning and rapid response to evolving information.

- Has demonstrated identifying and evaluating business development opportunities for alignment with company goals and long-term strategy.

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively present proposals and interact with clients.

- Effective at building and maintaining a network of industry contacts, strategic partners, and diverse stakeholders.

- Demonstrated strength in project management, negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration, consistently driving balanced, actionable decisions that align with strategic goals.

- Proven ability in quickly analyzing issues, preparing comprehensive analysis and recommending solutions and alternatives for identifying/solving specific issues.

- Advanced ability to work with ambiguity, understand key issues, and structure analytical path forward.

- Advanced understanding of basic business principles, including market dynamics, competitive positioning, and strategic alignment.

- Familiar with industry regulations and standards affecting data center operations and utility services.

- Strong understanding of the data center industry and its operational needs, and knowledge of utility services and their application in data center operations.

What Is Desired:

- Master’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or related field is preferred.

- Experience working in the utility industry for a data center organization is desired.

This description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, duties, and requirements for employees in this position. Job descriptions may and do change periodically. Where positions are covered by a collective bargaining unit agreement, the terms and conditions of the agreement will apply.

About our Company: We are a customer, growth and safety focused utility company that is dedicated to our communities. We improve life with energy as an energy partner of choice. Our diverse culture fuels unique perspectives, opening doors to new insights and possibilities. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, we have over 3000 employees and serve 1.3 million natural gas and electric utility customers across eight states (South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Arkansas).

Enjoy our Comprehensive Benefits Package! Annual discretionary bonuses, 401(k) (6% company match and up to 9% company retirement contribution), tuition reimbursement, generous paid time off benefits, including paid holidays and parental leave, company paid life insurance and disability benefits (short and long term), critical illness, accident & group hospital insurance, pet insurance, an employee assistance program and well-being benefits, and competitive medical, dental and vision insurance.

Candidates must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check. If there is anything that may show up in these reports that may conflict with the position requirements, feel free to contact the Black Hills Energy recruiting team at jobs@blackhillscorp.com.

Black Hills Energy does not sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran. If you require reasonable accommodation, please visit careers.blackhillsenergy.com for more information.