Department Manager Distributed Generation Interconnection Operations and Strategy

Overview

The Department Manager of Distributed Generation (DG) Interconnection Operations and Strategy will be responsible for the leadership and management of a best-in-class DG operations organization that will execute on our mission to facilitate and support integration of DG on the grid through a top customer experience, regulatory frameworks, IT tools, and leveraging new technologies.

The Department Manager will be responsible for delivering successful business results by leading multiple sections as well as coordinating with key internal partners in other utility organizations such as those responsible for providing service for new customers, completing engineering studies, and planning our grid.

The Department manager will lead three teams:

1) DG Customer Operations & Queue Management Team focused on providing the highest quality service to our DG customers and executing on their requests in a timely manner with increasing levels of efficiency and productivity.

2)Technical Delivery Team focused on resolving technical challenges and developing and supporting IT tools that provide a top customer experience, leverage efficiencies, and meet business needs.

3)Strategy, Regulatory and Policy team that develops short- and long-term customer offerings and regulatory and policy strategy to execute our DG interconnection efforts in a manner so as to maximize clean energy integration, and customer and business benefits while also aligning with stakeholders and regulators priorities and goals; this team will lead DG external communications with our regulators and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the DG organization to deliver a bestinclass customer experience while supporting gridbeneficial DG integration, advancing clean energy and policy goals, and aligning with company business priorities.
• Oversee all technical, regulatory, and customer experience aspects of DG interconnection, leading teams that manage the full DG application and interconnection process from preapplication support through permission to operate.
• Lead the team responsible for developing and executing the Company regulatory, policy and stakeholder strategy to expand DG interconnection in a manner that supports DG customers, all other customers, achievement of policy goals, and alignment with Company priorities, including mitigating risks.
• Lead all DG stakeholder communications, including those developing compelling analyses and materials, and leading the team that engages in these discussions. External communications will include representing the Company at conferences and other external events.
• Lead the team responsible for identifying and executing key analyses that improve and optimize DG interconnection operations and inform policy and regulatory outcomes that most benefit customers and achievement of policy goals.
• Oversee efforts to participate in larger Company efforts in the distributed energy resource space and will be responsible to provide information and business insights and align closely with departments such as Corporate Affairs and Strategic Planning based on the execution experience of managing the interconnection process and market insights.
• Serve as a nationally recognized expert and champion of DG integration, collaborating with internal departments and external stakeholders to advance company leadership, drive successful outcomes, and deliver projects on schedule and within budget.
• Lead the team that provides insights to forecasting and planning organizations within the Company to prepare and plan for DG integration onto the grid.
• Oversee the development of progress measurement dashboards and materials to both actively manage and adapt to changing circumstances and communicate progress towards objectives of Company DG efforts to various internal and external stakeholders including senior management, all impacted internal departments, key external stakeholders and policy makers.
• Oversee and manage implementation of processes so the interconnection process is executed to a high, auditable standard and ensure regulatory compliance across programs and initiatives.
• Lead the teams that envision and implement IT tools to support the DG interconnection process, ensure appropriate data governance of all DG data, and develop analyses to inform operations, policy, and customer experience.
• Keep abreast of DG operational, technical and regulatory strategies being undertaken in neighboring jurisdictions and across the country and the world to derive lessons that can be used to improve productivity and efficient delivery of customer services, reduce the cost and/or timeline for interconnecting DG, as well as evolve policy in line with clean energy goals and other stakeholder priorities.
• Perform other related task and assignments as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and 8 years of related work experience with 5 years of relevant experience in the distributed generation sector, infrastructure project development, or closely related areas in the energy and utilities industry.

• Bachelor's Degree and 10 years of related work experience Experience working in customer communications, back-office program management, billing and case management related field work, in addition to eperience working in the Clean Energy Marketplace

• Must have demonstrated expertise, experience, and a track record of success in managing large customer offerings in areas related to clean energy. Required
• Must have demonstrated ability of managing a larger organization with a multitude of responsibilities requiring hands-on management and coordination for success. Required
• Must have the ability to effectively interact with customers, developers, energy service providers, regulators, elected officials, internal organizations working to provide new electric service and all levels of management. Required
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills necessary to successfully interface with and influence executives, customers, business partners, regulators, public officials and other external stakeholders. Required.
• Must be well organized, detail oriented and flexible to handle multiple assignments and deadlines. Required
• Ability to work within ambiguity possesses a deep curiosity and strives to understand the essence of areas of focus and priority. Required
• Demonstrated work experience leading a fast-paced, project-oriented team. Required
• Experience managing the rate case process or regulatory relationships for non-traditional parts of the utility business and involvement with projects such as customer side solutions or DER infrastructure (e.g. storage). Preferred
• Experience managing projects related to distributed energy resources or infrastructure serving customers' energy related needs. Preferred
• Working knowledge of regulatory processes such as preparation of rate proceedings, responding to commission orders and responses to interrogatories. Preferred

• Driver's License Required

• The selected candidate will be assigned a System Emergency Assignment (i.e., an emergency response role) and will be expected to work non-business hours during emergencies, which may include nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Travel as necessary
• Ability to respond to emergencies during off-hours