Director Operations PMO & Opex

Position Description

Leads and strategically enables team of Supervisors and Managers in the governance, risk management, portfolio planning, prioritization, resourcing and delivery of utility operations projects and operations process optimization efforts. Partners and collaborates with Energy Resources, Energy Delivery and Generation & Transmission Development business leaders to ensure alignment of operations portfolio in the effective, timely and efficient delivery of project business value and objectives. Clearly and consistently communicates portfolio status, risks, issues, and mitigation plans with business leaders. Supports business leaders in strategic decision making as emergent issues arise affecting portfolio planning and prioritization. Serves as a key member of operations strategic planning teams to ensure alignment with priorities, resources, and the effective execution of the strategy. Champions change leadership principles across project teams and incorporates into project standards. Upholds Project Management Professional (PMP) standards across project teams while preserving the unique requirements of operations business areas. Collaborates with Enterprise Execution Office, IT/Shared Services Project Management Office, and Energy Resources Project Management Office to develop and support enterprise project governance, processes, and standards. Demonstrates expertise and depth in strategic portfolio planning, portfolio risk management, business analysis, operational excellence, and program/project management principles. Partner with business leaders to drive operational excellence and continuous improvement. Develop data-informed insights to guide strategy, champion a data-centric culture, and empower teams to optimize workflows and remove bottlenecks. Ensures compliance with financial, operational, safety and regulatory requirements. Provides professional leadership development, workforce planning and coaching to ensure long-term success of the team and company.

Key Responsibilities

• Identifies, plans and implements long and short-term strategic changes to assigned work groups.
• Oversees the development of annual comprehensive portfolio and project plans, including prioritization, risk-ranking, scope, budget, schedule, and resource allocation. Reviews strategic portfolio prioritization and resource allocation.
• Oversees the regular monitoring, managing and reporting of operational portfolios, programs and projects, ensuring adherence to timelines, milestones/functionality, and budgetary constraints.
• Collaborates with business leaders to support the definition of project objectives, deliverables, and success criteria.
• Provides key portfolio and project performance, risk and predictive indicators to senior leaders to optimize project execution, eliminate process inefficiencies, and drive scalable business results.
• Establishes predictive analytics frameworks to forecast project bottlenecks, resource capacity constraints, and budget variances before they impact delivery timelines.
• Champions the use of Lean Six Sigma and other statistical data analysis methodologies to identify process improvement opportunities, quantify operational inefficiencies and validate the cost-savings of optimization initiatives.
• Evaluates and recommends the selection, development, assignment, performance, and compensation of team members. Assures adequate training for team supervisors in terms of technical capability and supervisory skills, including the cross-training to ensure supervisory rotational capability.
• Develops and manages team budgets which support the cost-effective implementation of departmental and organizational strategies, tactics, and operating plans.
• Demonstrates behaviors that support leadership commitment. Leads by example, communicates well, and stays attuned to the morale and wellbeing of the team.
• This position may provide services to affiliates of the Company subject to the UNS Energy Code of Conduct and the related Policies and Procedures.

Management Responsibilities

• Ensures the Company's management principles, policies and programs are consistently practiced and continually support the Affirmative Action Plan.
• Assumes fiduciary responsibility for operating the business and provide recommendations on cost improvement measures.
• Ensures the Performance Management program is administered uniformly and effectively.
• Complies with and administers the terms and conditions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement when applicable.
• Administers personnel functions, including recruiting, review and approval of job descriptions and salary classifications, and selection and placement of personnel. Participates in hiring, termination, promoting, assignment and direction of staff.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable local, state and federal laws, regulations and standards, company policies, practices and ethical obligations to investigate, evaluate and recommend appropriate resolution to employee complaints.
• Promotes and participates in the professional development, personal growth and career planning of staff. Motivate, recognize and reward, coach, counsel, train; provide feedback to employees during performance reviews. Participates in Leadership Development programs.
• Addresses disciplinary and/or performance issues, according to company policy, and communicates effectively with employees regarding corrective action. Has input into the adjustment of grievances and administration of discipline.
• Plans day-to-day operations, estimates personnel needs and schedules and assigns work. Evaluate the structure and team plan for continual improvement of the efficiency and effectiveness of the group.
• This position may provide services to affiliates of the Company subject to the UNS Energy Code of Conduct and the related Policies and Procedures.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

(Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
• Proven track record of successfully delivering and developing complex programs, projects and capital plans within the electric utility industry.
• Extensive experience in program & project management, including portfolio planning, project risk management, prioritization, scheduling, budgeting, and resource management.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interact with stakeholders at all levels.
• Knowledge of electric utility systems, information technology systems and relevant regulatory frameworks.
• Experience must include oversight of programs, supervision of staff, fiscal management and direct work with executive leadership.