Director, Operational Technology

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and strategic oversight for the utility’s OT environment, ensuring alignment with organizational mission and regulatory requirements.
• Establish policies, procedures & standards that ensure system reliability, cybersecurity, & interoperability across OT platforms.
• Lead and develop multidisciplinary teams across SCADA, OMS, Telecom, GIS, & private network asset management functions.
• OMS & SCADA Management (EMS, GMS, ADMS)
• Direct the operation, maintenance, and modernization of OMS and SCADA platforms.
• Ensure availability, redundancy, and security of EMS, GMS, and ADMS to support real-time monitoring and control of generation, transmission, and distribution systems.
• Drive integration across OMS, SCADA, GIS, and other Enterprise Digital Systems to improve situational awareness, outage response, and customer service.
• Advance analytics, automation, and forecasting capabilities to support operational excellence.
• OT Telecommunications & Network Management
• Oversee the design, operation, and maintenance of the private OT communications network, including fiber optic, microwave, and wireless technologies.
• Ensure telecom infrastructure reliability, scalability, and resilience to support system operations.
• Lead telecom asset management including lifecycle planning, inventory tracking, and capital investment strategies.
• GIS Drafting & Mapping
• Provide direction to the GIS drafting department, ensuring accurate, timely mapping and records of utility assets.
• Enable integration of GIS with OMS and asset management systems.
• Maintain compliance with data governance, quality assurance, and operational standards.

Governance, Risk, and Compliance

• Ensure adherence to all applicable federal and state regulations, including NERC CIP, FERC, and FCC requirements.
• Implement and oversee OT cybersecurity best practices in coordination with corporate security teams.
• Maintain disaster recovery and business continuity planning across all OT domains.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Partner with Operations, Digital/IT, Engineering, and Customer Service to align OT capabilities with enterprise goals.
• Translate technical issues into actionable insights for executives, regulators, and governing boards.
• Represent the utility in industry forums, regulatory proceedings, and vendor negotiations.

Performance Metrics

• Reliability and uptime of OMS, SCADA platforms, and OT telecom systems.
• Speed and accuracy of outage response and system restoration enabled by OMS and GIS integration.
• Compliance with cybersecurity and regulatory requirements.
• Accuracy and usability of GIS and asset management data.
• Successful delivery of modernization and capital improvement projects.
• Employee engagement, retention, and department performance.

Qualifications

• Education & Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in utility OT, with significant leadership in SCADA, OMS, or telecommunications.
• Experience managing EMS, GMS, ADMS, OMS platforms, and private telecom networks.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary technical and support teams.
• Knowledge & Skills
• Strong understanding of utility operations, grid control systems, and OT/IT integration.
• Expertise in OMS, SCADA platforms, OT telecommunications (fiber, microwave, wireless), and GIS systems.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance frameworks, especially NERC CIP.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and change management skills.
• Strategic thinker with ability to manage both immediate operational needs and long-term technology planning.