Program Manager - PGO Lighting

About the role

Join the Power Grid Operations organization of a large, established energy and utilities company supporting critical grid operations across multiple states. Work within a highly visible training and workforce function responsible for developing and sustaining training programs that support operational readiness and long-term workforce strategy. Partner closely with business unit leaders, subject matter experts, training teams, and stakeholders across multiple levels of the organization. Serve as a key leader in shaping training strategy and ensuring programs continue to evolve alongside changing business needs, workforce requirements, and industry trends. This role will have significant ownership and requires someone comfortable making decisions, influencing leaders, and driving initiatives forward independently. Located in Charlotte, NC – Hybrid schedule with approximately 3 days onsite per week following the onboarding period. Will work between multiple Charlotte-area locations. Candidates should live within a reasonable daily commute of the Charlotte area. Frequent travel required – potentially 50%+ to operational locations across a six-state territory.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage initial, continuing, and emerging training programs supporting Power Grid Operations initiatives.
• Establish training strategies that align workforce capabilities with business and operational objectives.
• Lead the ADDIE process to assess training needs and design, develop, implement, and evaluate training initiatives.
• Partner with business leaders and SMEs to identify skill gaps, establish priorities, and determine the strategic direction of training programs.
• Manage multiple training initiatives simultaneously, including scope, schedules, resources, costs, and deliverables.
• Monitor program performance and make adjustments to plans, schedules, and resources to keep initiatives on track.
• Evaluate business developments and industry trends to determine how changes may impact workforce skills and training requirements.
• Develop creative solutions to address training gaps and improve program effectiveness.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements across training programs.
• Lead meetings, facilitate group discussions, and present recommendations and program updates to leadership.
• Drive communication and change management efforts associated with new or evolving training initiatives.
• Influence stakeholders across the organization and provide direction to project teams without relying solely on direct authority.

Requirements

6+ years of related experience with a bachelor’s or technical degree, or 10+ years of related experience with a high school diploma/GED.

Qualifications

• Strong background in training program management, curriculum development, training development and/or training delivery.
• Experience applying ADDIE or similar instructional design/training methodologies.
• Strong program and project management skills with experience owning initiatives from planning through implementation.
• Experience partnering directly with business leaders, SMEs, and cross-functional stakeholders to develop and execute training strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence, facilitate groups, negotiate resources, and drive decisions.
• Strong change management, communication, presentation, and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Ability to independently evaluate complex issues, compare potential solutions, and make recommendations to leadership.
• Comfortable operating in a role requiring high ownership, assertiveness, and independent decision-making.
• Master’s degree and 10+ years of related experience are preferred.
• Experience supporting training or workforce initiatives within utilities, energy, power grid operations, field operations, or another operationally intensive environment would be highly valuable.

Benefits

• Opportunity to own highly visible training and workforce programs supporting a critical operational organization.
• Ability to directly influence the strategy, development, and continued