Innovation Program Manager

Location: St. Louis, Missouri (Onsite)

About the role

Our client's Innovation Team is seeking a strategic Program Manager to help identify, fund, launch, and oversee emerging technology initiatives across the enterprise. This role requires a combination of business development, regulatory knowledge, internal stakeholder management, funding expertise, and project execution. The ideal candidate will be a self-directed individual who can generate opportunities rather than simply track tasks.

Responsibilities

• Identify and develop innovation opportunities across business units.
• Work directly with internal stakeholders to build support for innovation initiatives.
• Facilitate project funding approvals.
• Navigate regulatory, capital, and operating expense considerations.
• Develop business cases for emerging technology investments.
• Drive pilot programs from concept through implementation.
• Manage timelines, budgets, risk, stakeholder communication, and governance activities.
• Support innovation projects involving energy management, grid modernization, analytics, AI, robotics, and emerging technologies.

Requirements

• Utility industry experience.
• Program or project management experience.
• Deep understanding of project funding processes.
• Experience working with capital expenditure (CapEx) and operating expense (O&M) models.
• Strong stakeholder management skills.
• Experience influencing executive and cross-functional partners.
• Ability to operate independently within ambiguous environments.

Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience with the client company.
• Utility consulting experience.
• Experience supporting regulated utility organizations.
• Familiarity with Missouri and Illinois utility regulatory environments.
• Experience working within innovation, strategy, technology, grid modernization, transmission, generation, or customer transformation functions.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance plans.
• Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP).
• 401K program with company match after 12 months of tenure.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) on the HDHP plan.
• SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions.
• Corporate discount savings program and other discounts.
• On-demand training program.
• Access to certification prep, technical and leadership courses/books/seminars after 6+ months of tenure.
• Certification discounts and perks for associations including CompTIA and IIBA.
• Dedicated customer service team for consultants.
• Access to a certified Career Coach.