Company Description
The California Independent System Operator (ISO) manages the flow of electricity across the high-voltage, long-distance power lines that make up 80 percent of California’s power grid. We safeguard the economy and well-being of 30 million Californians by operating the grid reliably 24/7.
As the impartial grid operator, the California ISO opens access to the wholesale power market that is designed to diversify resources and lower prices. It also grants equal access to 25,865 circuit-miles of power lines and reduces barriers to diverse resources competing to bring power to customers.
The California ISO’s function is often compared to that of air traffic controllers. It would be grossly unfair for air traffic controllers to represent one airline and profit from allowing that company’s planes to go through before others. In the same way, the California ISO operates independently-managing the electron traffic on a power grid we do not own-making sure electricity is safely delivered to utilities and consumers on time and reliably.
The California ISO is committed to the health, safety, and work/life integration of its employees, and is proud to offer flexible work arrangements. This position would be eligible to participate in a remote work capacity, but requires the ability to commute in as needed.
Relocation assistance is available.
Job Description
PRIMARY PURPOSE:
Under the general direction of the Director of Enterprise Program Management, is responsible for programs under the Project Portfolio Management framework. Provides leadership and oversight on the selection, initiation, scoping, planning, and execution of multiple projects under a program(s). Organizes and supports obtainment of the needed people and budget for the programs and activities in accordance with the portfolio implementation plan to meet strategic objectives.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Partners with portfolio sponsors to plan and manage strategic programs ensuring project prioritization and sequencing to achieve the intended portfolio and program benefits with a balanced workload for delivery teams. Supports the portfolio sponsor to prepare materials for governance forums.
- Develops the program roadmap, portfolio implementation plan, and communication plan in partnership with the EPMO Director and Portfolio Sponsor. Manages the program scope, schedule, budget, project interdependencies, and escalated issues and risks to meet the expectations of the portfolio sponsor. Identifies and manages program impacts for materials changes to project scope, schedule and budget.
- Facilitates high-level project scoping to ensure dependencies are identified to minimize project scope changes. This includes reviewing and informing Sponsors about strategic use of staff to inform capacity planning and forecasting.
- Provides leadership to assigned project managers and teams supporting the development of decision documents for projects under the program to enable timely decision-making.
- Develops evaluation methods to assess program strengths and areas of improvement. Implements and manages changes and interventions to ensure project goals are achieved. Ensures goals are met including benefit realization and delivery performance.
- Develops and monitors key program performance metrics. Working with Project Manager, performs issue and risk management at the program level. Resolves issues with teams and management.
- Supports information entry into PPM software, analyzes data, and produces reports and dashboards to inform Portfolio sponsors and EPMO Director about program performance.
- Facilitates and prepares program level communications for executives and internal and external stakeholders, sharing program measures of success and delivery performance.
- Collaborates with ISO colleagues to develop “best practices” policies and procedures, and to identify and resolve issues to help create a flexible and efficient organization.
Qualifications
Level of Education and Discipline:
A Bachelor’s degree (BA, BS) in Portfolio, Program or Project Management, Computer Science, or related field. Advanced degree preferred.
Amount of Experience
Equivalent years of education and training, plus ten (10) or more years related experience.
Type of Experience
Strong leadership and management abilities with experience coaching and developing others. Project Management experience required. Electric utility industry, fundamental knowledge of electric power systems and markets; experience leading and facilitating team projects.
Special Certifications of Technical Skills
PMI certification preferred.
Additional skills and abilities:
Ability to think strategically and devise solutions to problems in keeping with multiple considerations. Must demonstrate sound judgment and critical thinking when making decisions. Excellent leadership and analytical skills required. Must be able to work effectively in a team environment as team leader, facilitator and team member. Strong quantitative skills required. Excellent interpersonal, communication and writing skills required, including the ability to effectively communicate complex materials and concepts. Must be able to handle a dynamic and changing work environment, and work well independently.
Additional Information
The pay range for the Program Manager at the CAISO is $135,150 – $225,250 per year.