Technology Planning Analyst II

This Technology Planning Analyst will support innovation, enhance reliability, and help drive constructive regulatory technology investments across Southern Company Gas (GAS) spanning Local Distribution Companies (LDCs): Atlanta Gas Light, Chattanooga Gas, Nicor Gas, and Virginia Natural Gas. The role ensures technology investments (cost, people, and infrastructure) are optimal, adhere to standards, and align with GAS Technology Solutions and business objectives.

About the role

The Technology Planning Analyst collaborates to provide technology direction and decisions based on emerging technologies, industry trends, best practices, and sound business processes. Responsibilities include defining and supporting investments that enable achievement of business objectives, building strategic partnerships, clarifying and documenting needs, eliciting requirements, and supporting business cases. The position may also lead technology projects, including requirements gathering, ideation, business case development, technology evaluation and acquisition, and overall planning and delivery activities.

Responsibilities

• Understand and articulate the mission, vision, goals, strategic and tactical initiatives of GAS Technology and business teams; develop strategic technology plans with business units.
• Anticipate and communicate business unit technology needs to ensure priorities are driven by business needs to maximize value.
• Communicate technology initiatives, updates, and educate on technology capabilities and opportunities; represent business unit interests.
• Provide active support in the development, communication, and implementation of technology strategic plans and initiatives.
• Consult with business stakeholders on technology capabilities and TO products and services.
• Facilitate a team of technology teammates, BOTS partners, and business unit management to address strategic and tactical needs.
• Support business case development, articulating business requirements, solution options, financial benefits, and value added.
• Coordinate vendor management activities, including Statement of Work, Supply Chain engagement, RFPs, vendor demonstrations, and project budget planning.
• Support budgeting of technology products and services to ensure full understanding of costs within business units.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships within GAS Technology to support the business.
• Share technology best practices within and across business units, Southern Company, and external companies.
• Ensure business units understand the importance of common technology standards and implications of non-compliance.
• Facilitate business unit prioritization of competing demands for technology resources.
• Guide vendors and business through the TVP/SRA/VRA/ES-ARB process.
• Influence GAS operations transformation through data-driven business capabilities leveraging AI where possible.
• Deliver data solutions that are common where possible and custom where it counts.
• Partner with GAS regulatory, capital planning, budgeting, and finance to provide long- and short-term technology plans for rate base recovery and cost transparency.
• Ensure the value of technology capital investment and operations/maintenance costs for a reliable and secure environment is well understood.

Requirements

• BS or BA degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent work experience).
• 5 years of experience in portfolio management, business relationship management, or business analysis/consulting.
• Demonstrated business acumen combined with expertise to establish credibility.
• Experience building strategic partnerships to streamline processes, reduce costs, improve efficiency, and enhance customer satisfaction.

Skills

• Account management: managing multiple tasks/priorities, communication, teamwork, consulting, financial analysis, negotiating, and influencing.
• Outstanding credibility and ability to build strong relationships internally and externally to influence change.
• Collaborative team player driving solutions for Southern Company’s benefit.
• Superior customer service with initiative and follow-through.
• Ability to influence others to embed AI into processes.
• Experience partnering with business leaders to develop technology roadmaps achieving business goals.
• Proven analytical abilities, planning, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Strategic thinking, innovative vision, and critical independent thinking.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships at all levels.
• Strong knowledge of current and emerging technologies within Southern Company and externally.
• Insight into business needs to suggest innovative solutions improving productivity and achieving goals.
• Knowledge of Southern Company’s business functions, economic drivers, and industry trends.
• Facilitation, leadership, organizational, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Flexibility to work under stress, adapt to changing direction, and minimal supervision.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and habitually removes obstacles for success.

About Southern Company

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. The company provides clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy with a mission to deliver excellent service. Southern Company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy solutions provider, a fiber optics network, and telecommunications services. The company is committed to innovation, resilience, and sustainability, advancing its goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Benefits

Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy, including competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees, and health, welfare, and retirement benefits. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program. Specific details about total compensation and benefits will be provided during the hiring process.

View a summary of benefits for this position.