Executive Director of Corporate Strategy

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.  

 

Location

 

This is a hybrid (virtual/onsite) position with required onsite days on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday assigned to One Energy Plaza 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 Executive Director of Corporate Strategy and Projects is tasked with developing and executing the overall strategy for CMS Energy, while overseeing both the strategic management and project teams. This role involves evaluating and responding to changes in the business environment, providing internal strategic consulting on high-priority assignments to senior executives, and conducting comprehensive M&A analytics and due diligence as required. Responsibilities include benchmarking marketing performance, gathering industry intelligence, and formulating strategic initiatives to achieve optimal performance and P&L outcomes in direct collaboration with business leaders and stakeholders. The position also manages the regulated strategic projects and innovation team, focusing on researching, sourcing, and designing new customer offerings. Additionally, the Executive Director supports growth strategies for existing business units (CE, Enterprises, and ES Services) and identifies new avenues for company expansion.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

 

• Cultivate relationships with strategic peers within the utility industry, leaders from emerging energy technology firms, venture capitalists, and leading industry analysts. Assess the strategic implications derived from business environment analyses and recommend adjustments to CMS Energy’s corporate strategy.
• Apply analytical modeling to assess new business opportunities and ideas, determining their viability for further pursuit. Conduct thorough research on potential mergers and acquisitions (M&A), identify promising targets, and perform comprehensive due diligence.
• Lead the Corporate Strategy and Strategic Projects teams by overseeing the research, sourcing, evaluation, and execution of innovative regulated income sources. Manage the overall project portfolio, ensuring approval, quality control, client satisfaction, and ongoing team development.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the company’s business landscape through rigorous “signpost” monitoring and scenario analysis processes.
• Oversee CMS Energy’s strategic planning process by enabling effective decision-making regarding long-term strategy, including recommending modifications when appropriate. Facilitate the alignment and mobilization of strategies across business units, collaborating with senior executive teams to guide the Financial Planning Process.
• Provide consulting support on high-priority projects driven by profitability considerations and board directives, as determined by the senior executive team. Manage teams that collaborate with subject matter experts across the organization to develop valuable analytical insights and recommendations, partnering with senior leadership to establish well-defined and actionable strategic decisions.
• Perform other duties as assigned or required.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

 

• Strategic problem-solving for new business trends.
• Strong business and leadership acumen.
• Motivated to make an impact, comfortable with influencing organizations.
• Self-directed.
• Skilled in diplomacy, negotiation, and organizational navigation.
• Effective in complex, ambiguous environments; action oriented.
• Results-driven.
• Excellent communication skills across all formats.
• Sharp strategic thinking.

 

Education and Experience

 

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, or a related field, with a minimum of twelve (12) years of leadership or executive consulting experience, including advising in C-level environments.
• OR Associate’s degree in business, finance, or a relat