Director, Strategy & Innovation

Director, Strategy & Innovation

Lincoln Electric System (LES), based in the state capital city of Lincoln, is the second largest retail electric utility in Nebraska and the 23rd largest public power utility in the United States. LES provides electric services to the cities and towns of Lincoln, Prairie Home, Waverly, Walton, Cheney, and Emerald. LES serves over 153,000 customers of which approximately 88% are residential and 12% are commercial and industrial. LES is a municipal utility, owned by the city of Lincoln, Nebraska, with a service area that covers approximately 200 square miles. LES employs approximately 566 people and operates under the governance of the LES Administrative Board, appointed by the Mayor of Lincoln, and confirmed by the Lincoln City Council.

LES is looking for a talented leader an energetic and driven professional to join our team in the newly formed role of Director Strategy & Innovation. This key leader will have primary responsibility for overseeing the execution of LES's newly created Strategic Plan and will oversee the gathering and presentation of performance metrics and indicators that track progress towards the utility's strategic objectives. This role will help lead the shaping, advancing, and execution of LES's long term strategic direction. Also, this role will guide efforts to ensure that LES stays abreast of and can capture and implement relevant new solutions and concepts to maintain a culture of practical, smart, and timely innovation.

The role is suited to a key strategic leader, who understands utility operations and can navigate the space between emerging technology and innovative solutions, and their practical application in the operating environment of an electric utility. Additionally, this position requires a leader who can drive execution of strategic initiatives by directing program management, data stewardship, accountability tools, internal and external stakeholder engagement and communication, and organizational change management efforts. This leader will guide a high-level technical team to produce the next generation of exceptional results LES customers have come to expect. This position will report to the Chief Executive Officer and will oversee teams performing functions and work in the areas of Enterprise Risk Management, Project Management, emergency preparedness, innovation and strategic technology transfer.

JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for shaping, advancing, and executing LES's long term strategic direction. This position will oversee the gathering and presentation of performance metrics and indicators that track progress towards the utility's strategic objectives. In addition, this role will guide efforts to ensure that LES stays abreast of and can capture and implement relevant new solutions and concepts to maintain a culture of practical, smart, and timely innovation. This role will also provide leadership for developing high quality project management and change management functions and ensure effective management of enterprise risk. Consistent and reliable attendance is an essential function of this position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND CORE COMPETENCIES

• Directs the implementation and progress tracking of the LES Strategic Plan, as well as the established cadence for interim refreshes and periodic full plan updates.
• Directs ongoing development and execution of the Enterprise Risk Management program and ensures that strategies are identified and efforts undertaken to mitigate enterprise risks.
• Ensures an industry-class Emergency Management function within the utility that enables LES to prepare for and respond to existing and emerging disruptive events and threats.
• Directs the enterprise Project Management Office (PMO) and ensure consistent, disciplined, and effective use of leading best practice project management techniques, tools, and process controls across the utility's functions.
• Establishes and directs an effective Organization Change Management (OCM) practice and central function for the organization and ensures ability to provide direct change management support to key enterprise-wide change efforts, while developing OCM capability throughout LES.
• Directs the organization's innovation practice by driving efforts for evaluation of innovative concepts, solutions, and technologies, as well as efforts to research strategy and innovation practice within and outside the utility and energy industry to identify and recommend relevant adoption and operational applications for LES.
• Ensures coordinated effort to applying emerging and innovative solutions, processes, and technologies to advance LES progress towards strategic objectives, and in so doing enables the organization to mitigate its key enterprise risks.
• Coordinates reporting to Executive Leadership Team and Administrative Board on progress and performance in completing strategic plan objectives.
• Supports leadership across the utility in translating strategic objectives and goals to divisional and departmental objectives and individual goal plans.
• Consults on development of long-term grid architecture strategy and supports internal operating departments in identification, piloting, and scaling of selected solutions.
• Consults on the utility's long term technology strategy to ensure connectivity and support of the strategic objectives and innovative opportunities for the organization.
• Participates in industry forums and events to gain insights on innovation practice across the utility industry and beyond and demonstrates leadership in nurturing and growing the LES culture of practical innovation by helping to foster creativity, curiosity, and a strong commitment to continuous improvement.

Adaptability

Maintains a positive attitude in the face of change; appropriately adjusts behavior and activities to changing conditions.

Communication

Expresses ideas and information in a clear and concise manner whether verbally, written, or other means; tailors message to fit the interests and needs of the audience; delivers information in a manner that is interesting and compelling.

Initiative

Takes action on his / her own without being prompted; handles problems independently; able to resolve issues without relying on extensive help from others; does more than is expected or asked.

Conflict Resolution

Builds consensus across individuals with different viewpoints; helps people find common goals and interests; finds mutually agreeable solutions to problems; addresses conflicts so they do not escalate into more major problems.

Project Management

Establishes project goals, milestones, and procedures, defines roles and responsibilities, acquires project resources, coordinates projects throughout company, monitors project progress, and manages multiple projects.

Strategic Thinking

Aligns day to day activities around broader organizational goals and objectives; prioritizes resources based on the strategic objectives of the organization; recognizes and rewards people based on how their actions support the broader needs of the company.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

REQUIRED EDUCATION and / or EXPERIENCE

LES Benefits

LES is interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. LES is unable to sponsor employment-based immigrant or non-immigrant visas. This is not a remote position and requires residency within a reasonable commuting distance to LES in Lincoln, Nebraska.

EEO Minorities / Women / Disabled / Veterans