Chain Reaction: Powering Up Performance in Nuclear Operations

Client Overview

Our client is one of the largest Fortune 500 diversified energy companies, proudly serving Michigan for over a century. Headquartered in Detroit, the company is involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services across the United States and Canada. In addition to its core operations, the client also supports affiliated businesses focused on renewable energy, emission control technologies, and energy services. Recognized nationally for its workplace culture, the client is an award-winning employer committed to innovation and operational excellence.

The Challenge / Mandate

As part of its broader operational improvement agenda, the client sought to establish a Project Management Office (PMO) and required experienced Project Managers to drive key business initiatives at one of its nuclear power plants. While not directly tied to energy generation, these initiatives were designed to enhance business processes and integrate new technologies across operational systems.

The Project Manager was tasked with:

• Clearly defining project scope and statements
• Developing proposed solutions supported by business cases and detailed assumptions
• Creating comprehensive project budgets and timelines with actionable recommendations
• Establishing clear leading and lagging KPIs to measure and sustain progress

Search Strategy

The search prioritized candidates with proven management consulting experience and an understanding of the utilities sector. The ideal profile included:

• Experience: 2+ years in management consulting, ideally with a Big 4 or top-tier firm
• Industry Knowledge: Utilities sector expertise, with familiarity in operational or technology-driven improvements
• Functional Capabilities: Strong background in operations, systems integration, and business case development
• Consulting Titles: Consultant or Manager-level professionals with hands-on execution experience
• Preferred Skills: Prior experience implementing KPIs, building dashboards, and linking project outcomes to financial performance

The Placement

We placed a dynamic operations leader with deep experience across a broad range of industries, including energy, manufacturing, telecom, aerospace, and utilities. The consultant brought:

• A strong background in managing cross-functional projects in complex operational settings
• Expertise in designing dashboards and scorecards with leading and lagging indicators
• A talent for linking KPIs to bottom-line performance and cascading metrics down to frontline teams
• Bilingual communication skills (English and Spanish), with additional fluency in Italian
• A strategic mindset coupled with tactical agility to manage change, mitigate risk, and deliver high-impact outcomes

The consultant was known for coaching executives through transformation and helping align leadership teams with critical operational goals.

The Outcome

The consultant successfully led improvement initiatives aimed at reducing cost per gigawatt produced. Notably, he designed and developed a budget forecasting Control Tower integrated with the site’s T-Week schedule, providing real-time visibility and better financial governance. His efforts contributed to improved planning, enhanced performance measurement, and a more sustainable operational improvement framework.