Senior Manager - Emergency Operations

Job Summary

Works collaboratively and independently as a team leader to create, develop, and implement the Avangrid emergency management program. This role significantly contributes to the company's overall preparedness to emergencies, both in planning and preparation before an event and execution during an event. The position is primarily responsible for ensuring an effective and efficient Avangrid response to emergencies that impact the distribution of services to Avangrid’s customers and/or company operations. This position supports both electric and natural gas utilities.

Main duties

• Manage jurisdictional Emergency Operations team members including the delegation of assignments, management of personnel, and ensuring projects are completed successfully.
• Collaborate with business areas across the company to ensure emergency response capabilities are maintained and matured for all hazards.
• Create and prepare appropriate plans, procedures, SOP’s and checklists for severe weather, emergencies, and other risks/hazards.
• Aid in the development and delivery of emergency response trainings and exercises.
• Provide subject matter expertise in emergency management during the response to actual events to ensure an effective and coordinated response.
• Provide operating company executives with briefings on departmental initiatives and response operations as needed.
• Serve as departmental lead for jurisdictional regulatory interactions including ensuring all compliance filings and requests are completed in an accurate and timely manner.
• Serve as departmental lead for interactions with state and/or regional mutual assistance mechanisms used to supplement resources during emergency responses.
• Act as a liaison with neighboring utilities, local stakeholders, and state officials to coordinate preparedness and response activities.
• Provide emergency management subject matter expertise to further the department’s strategic and tactical initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Play a critical role in the creation, development, and implementation of the Avangrid emergency management program.
• Responsible for driving strategy, continuous improvement, and execution of emergency management activities.
• Lead the development of effective emergency management policies and procedures to ensure preparedness for future events.
• Ensures internal alignment and training for emergency response.
• May serve as the Avangrid representative for various governmental and/or regulatory entities.
• Works as a consultant with Vice Presidents, Senior Directors, and Directors of critical business areas (Electric Operations, Gas Operations, etc.) to provide strategic direction regarding emergency management and set short-term and long-term program objectives.
• Works creatively and innovatively to ensure ongoing, continuous improvement throughout Avangrid, and the operating companies in emergency management.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with minimum of 10 years relevant experience required.
• Experience in utility system operations, planning, restoration, emergency management or engineering.
• Experience in O&M and/or capital budgets.
• Strong ability to work collaboratively and contribute as a team leader to develop the emergency management program within Avangrid.
• Highly organized, self-directed, and capable of managing multiple responsibilities and deliverables to successful completion.
• Strong organizational, communication (verbal and written), interpersonal and influencing skills.
• Ability and desire to work across organizational lines throughout Avangrid and with senior management.
• Ability to collaborate with external entities to achieve mutual gains and foster cooperative relationships.
• Experience in (or ability to) reviewing, analyzing and influencing state statutory and regulatory actions.
• Advanced problem solving, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Able to analyze complex information, distill salient items and create appropriate action plans.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements regarding emergency management planning, readiness, and execution.
• Knowledge of the Incident Command System (ICS) and its application in emergency response by utilities.
• Ability to identify business risks and to develop and execute mitigating strategies.
• Provides strategic input to management team and business areas based on sound analytical decision making.
• Knowledge of SAP, company websites and other applicable business systems.
• Budget and/or cost management experience.