5-7 years of senior-level experience in program or utility transformation leadership.
Deep expertise in grid modernization, including Demand Response and DERs.
Proven ability to manage regulated US electric utility stakeholders.
Hands-on experience with complex grid programs, overseeing project management directly.
Strong commercial acumen with P&L exposure and value realization accountability.
Responsibilities
Drive the program from inception through implementation and long-term value realization.
Produce necessary documentation and bridge functional gaps for seamless delivery.
Build credibility with major US electric utilities and deepen stakeholder relationships.
Ensure alignment across product, engineering, delivery, and customer-facing teams.
Hold commercial ownership alongside delivery, focusing on business case and revenue linkage.
Benefits
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
Generous paid time off policy to support work-life balance.
401(k) plan with employer matching contributions.
Parental leave for biological, adoptive, and foster parents.
Pre-tax commuter benefits to ease travel costs.
Flexible working environment to accommodate personal schedules.
Equity options allowing employees to share in the company's success.
Full Job Description
Why This Role is Important
We are looking for a highly credible Program Directorto take end-to-end ownership of a highly complex, marquee US utility flexibility deployment. This is a "control room heavy" initiative focused specifically on grid-level needs: consolidating and dispatching supply and demand-side flexible assets, to unlock multiple value streams.
Given the "first of a kind" nature of this program, we are looking for a dynamic individual, with deep understanding of our industry and the ability to span the full gamut of getting things done "hands on" to managing the exec level relationships. This role is about writing the book with us.
You will have full delivery and commercial matrix accountability for making this deployment a massive success. You must possess the grid-operational credibility to effectively lead discussions with senior utility stakeholders and the hands-on operational capability to manage the program mechanics yourself. We need a leader who is comfortable working directly on the execution and building the foundational framework for the program.
What you'll own
Program End-to-End: Be the leader driving the program from day one through implementation and into long-term value realisation. You will directly manage the delivery timelines, decision-making, coordination, and execution.
Bridge the Gaps: Act with extreme versatility. Produce the necessary documentation, artefacts, and assets along the way, bridging functional gaps as they emerge to ensure seamless delivery.
External Stakeholder Management: Build deep credibility with a highly regulated, major US electric utility. Deepen existing relationships, proactively identify and build new ones across the organization, and navigate the complex operational layers of the utility.
Internal Alignment & Leadership: Be the credible cross-functional operator who ensures product, engineering/tech, delivery, and customer-facing teams are perfectly aligned. While no product team will report directly to you, you will have the line of sight and influence necessary to steer vital product and delivery trade-offs.
Drive Commercial Success: Hold explicit commercial ownership alongside delivery. You will be accountable for the business case, value realization, customer expansion, and revenue linkage.
What you'll bring to the party
Experience: In-depth, senior-level experience with target seniority at the Director, Senior Director, or Head-of level in program, implementation, delivery, or utility-transformation leadership.
Grid & Flexibility Expertise: Direct, deep experience in grid modernisation programs. You should have a strong understanding of Demand Response, DERs, VPPs, DERMS, AMI, and grid operations.
Utility Navigation: Proven experience managing regulated US electric-utility stakeholders. You know how to navigate the operational, control-room side of a utility.
Hands-on Operator: Recent end-to-end ownership of a complex grid program (planning, governance, cross-functional execution) where you drove the core project management rather than delegating it to a separate PMO layer.
Commercial Acumen: Clear history of commercial/solution ownership, P&L exposure, or value realisation accountability.
Bonus Points
Location/Network: Based on the US East Coast, with specific exposure to Virginia, Mid-Atlantic, or broader East Coast utility ecosystems.
Niche Expertise: Experience leading grid-side flexibility work aimed at specific physical or locational grid constraints, rather than just bulk system or generic programs.
Industry Presence: A recognized and credible figure in the US utility or flexibility ecosystem.
Travel: this role will involve travel to the client in the North East every ~2 weeks for a few days at a time.
☆ Why you'll love it here:
Great medical, dental, and vision insurance options including FSAs.
Paid time off - we know working hard means also being able to recharge as needed, we trust our employees to get the work done and take the time they need.
401(k) plan with employer match.
Parental leave. Biological, adoptive and foster parents are all eligible.
Pre-tax commuter benefits.
Flexible working environment: you need to shift around your schedule? You do you, we genuinely believe in work/life balance.
Equity Options: every Kraken employee owns part of the business. We're a team, working together towards huge goals. Every person is crucial to our success, you should be rewarded as such.
Modern office or co-working spaces depending on location.
The salary range for this position is from $200,000 - $260,000 depending on relevant experience, role alignment, and client management expertise demonstrated throughout the interview process. While the broad salary range is listed, not all candidates will be placed at the top of the range-this will be determined by the overall fit for the position. If you have questions about this, just ask! Our recruiters are happy to provide more context.
About Kraken
Kraken is a cryptocurrency exchange based in San Francisco, California. The company was founded in 2011 and has grown to over 1,000 employees. The company allows users to buy and sell a wide range of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. The company also offers margin trading and futures trading. The company has been recognized for its security measures and has never been hacked. The company has also been involved in several high-profile cryptocurrency investigations.
