Director, Systems Operations

Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is about more than power. We’re about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas’ Best Places to work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!

We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.

We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:

• Competitive pay with bonus opportunities
• Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short term disability, long term disability, and life insurance
• Relocation assistance
• Flexible working environment for positions that are eligible where employees have the flexibility to work from home and come in where collaborative in person work is needed.
• Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a defined benefit plan fully funded by SPP

Overview

The Director, SPP Systems Operations directs the real time operational functions in both eastern and western interconnections to maintain the Reliability of the Bulk Electric System and compliance with applicable NERC standards and SSAE-16 requirements. The real time functions include Reliability Coordination, Tariff Administration, Regional Scheduling, Market Operations, and Contract Services. The Director, SPP Systems Operations establishes the department goals and objectives in alignment with the company goals.  The Director, SPP Systems Operations establishes and communicates the strategic direction of the department, ensuring the appropriate, necessary, and cost effective deployment of technology and processes in support of SPP business objectives.  The Director, SPP Systems Operations works closely with the company executives and the management of the other SPP business units to ensure needs and expectations are being met.  The Director, SPP Systems Operations also supports SPP technical committees and working groups and represents SPP and its member companies at appropriate NERC and ISO-RTO Council committees and working groups.

The position requires extensive contact and work with employees at all levels of the organization, as well as with members, customers and third party vendors of the company. This position understands the Company’s overall corporate goals and strategy and operates the business unit in a manner which supports and helps achieve the Company’s goals and strategy.  The Director, SPP Systems Operations is expected to independently establish department goals and oversee performance against those goals, in concert with SPP goals and strategies.

Essential Functions

• Provide executive management of Operations staff and systems necessary to meet SPP’s critical functions and mission
• Provide executive management in engaging with SPP’s members for providing technical solutions for real time operational concerns
• Work with appropriate Operations and SPP staff to assist the Senior Vice President of Operations with the development and implementation of the Operations Strategic Plan
• Establish strategic objectives for all responsible Operations functions and implement tactical processes to achieve desired results
• Develop and manage the department budget, with emphasis on providing cost-effective real time operations solutions
• Coordinate with and provide input to the rest of the SPP management team with respect to areas of responsibility
• Provide technical expertise to SPP committees and working groups, particularly the Operating Reliability Working Group, Market Working Group, and Markets and Operations Policy Committee. May be called upon to facilitate or provide staff support for SPP committees and working groups.
• May be called upon to represent SPP at ISO-RTO Council, NERC, or other committee and working group meetings
• Serve as primary decision-maker with regard to issues involving assigned real time operations functions
• Manage special projects as assigned.
• Conducts regular touch-base meetings with direct reports to discuss development goals, business goals and performance matters
• Provides real-time coaching on performance
• Conducts annual performance reviews

Qualifications

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, business administration or a related field

Experience Requirements:

• Twelve (12) years’ experience in managing the development and support of Real Time Operations

Professional Certification Requirements:

• NERC Operator Certification or the ability to secure such certification within six months of employment.

Other Requirements:

• Specific knowledge of transmission system operations including power flow, stability, voltage control, restoration, etc. is required.
• Judgment necessary to set individual and staff priorities in instances of insufficient resources as well as demonstrate flexibility and the ability to function with constantly changing and multiple priorities
• Ability to communicate effectively with engineers, management and senior management, including officers of other companies for purposes of requests, analysis, coordination, guidance and presentations
• Demonstrate flexibility and successfully function with constantly changing and multiple priorities
• Possess and use good organizational skills
• Understanding of, compliance with and enforcement of SPP Policies and Procedures

Preferred:

• Variety of experience in sophisticated analytical tools such as Energy Management System advanced application packages, Interchange Distribution Calculator, Open Access Same-time Information System, etc.
• Advanced Degree

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to make decisions, interpret data, and problem solve.
• The employee frequently is required to stand or sit for extended periods; use hands to operate a computer keyboard and standard office equipment.
• The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 10 pounds.
• Requires the ability to work and collaborate with managers and employees at all levels to exchange ideas, information, and opinions to facilitate the task.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and work at a computer for long periods of time, talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; and stoop. The employee may be required to lift and move up to 10 pounds.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of workweek are Monday through Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Working extended hours may be required.

Travel Requirement:

This position requires moderate travel (approximately 20%).

Should you elect to apply for this position SPP will review your qualifications and if after reviewing the qualifications and experience of all applicants, your skills and credentials meet our needs, someone from our organization may contact you. Please be advised that the time required to complete the applicant review process typically takes between 30 and 90 days, but could extend beyond that. Once the position has been filled, all applicants will be notified via email.

Southwest Power Pool is an Equal Opportunity Workplace and an Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age or any other protected category.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines “reasonable accommodation” as a change or adjustment to a job or work environment that allows a qualified individual with a disability to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of a particular job, and does not cause an undue hardship for the employer. SPP adheres to the ADA and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions.