Program Manager, Innovation - (23-Gm-400003-092)

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbent(s) in this job. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties in this description and incumbent(s) may be required to perform work-related tasks other than those specifically listed in this description. This job description is not a "contract" between the employee and the Authority. The job duties and essential functions may be changed at the discretion of the CEO/General Manager.

SUMMARY: 

The Program Manager for Innovation will be an advocate for new ways of providing value to DC Water. They will be responsible for: (a) conducting research on problem discovery, (b) ideating potential solutions, (c) evaluating and prioritizing best options, (d) pitching recommendations to leadership, and, if authorized, (e) support the business cluster in testing and validating proposed solutions for acceptance. Working as part of a cross-functional team, the Program Manager for Innovation is expected to influence outcomes that significantly impact DC Water's strategic plan (Blueprint 2.0) by what ultimately gets accomplished. The ideal candidate will need to drive employee engagement on innovation activities that contribute to a positive work culture and pipeline of implementable solutions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Formulate, manage, and execute DC Water's innovation strategy while working closely with various internal & external stakeholders, including the Senior Executive Team, cluster VPs, Directors, management, employees, and outside vendors / business partners.
• Drive the advancement of strategic initiatives that align to DC Water's long-term goals while working closely with key individuals and multi-disciplinary teams across the organization.
• Partner with business clusters in driving efforts to frame problems, ideate, prioritize, and implement pilots / prototypes whose expected outcomes align to DC Water's strategic plan (Blueprint 2.0).
• Leverage DC Water's innovation methodology and framework to maintain steady progress from problem definition to idea generation to leadership authorization to pilot / prototype execution to business cluster hand-off (for roll-out implementation) with governance along the way.
• Implement and manage crowdsourcing campaigns to engage a wide & diverse body of participants from which to capture ideas, evaluate & prioritize for best fit, and pitch to decision makers for consideration.
• Engage with outside vendors, other utilities, industry associations, engineering firms, and other external sources to learn about potential opportunities and threats from which to make recommendations to the Innovation Director.
• Work with cross-functional teams to foster a creative and collaborative work environment that encourages experimentation and recognizes failure as an opportunity for learning and improvement.
• Act as an innovation consultant to internal stakeholders, providing them with guidance and oversight support to enable new ways of solving key problems, including acquisition strategy input.
• Establish and track key metrics to assess the effectiveness and impact of DC Water's innovation program toward solving targeted business challenges
• Clearly communicates through internal emails, reports, and PowerPoint presentations, including: (a) message content & briefings to the Senior Executive Team, (b) less-formal discussions with leadership and management across DC Water, and (c) two-way information exchanges at industry conferences, with business partners, and visitors to DC Water

Supervisory Responsibilities: N/A

Key Working Relationships: Interacts with Executive Leadership throughout the Authority and front-line employees, as well as external vendors, business partners, other utilities, and professional associations.  

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE & OTHER MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

The minimum qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability necessary for an individual to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable amounts of training are provided.

• Bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university and five to seven (5-7) years of progressive experience in helping organizations solve key challenges through innovation, inclusive of five (5) years of experience leading teams, measuring results, and reporting results to leadership, or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Graduate degree in a related field from an accredited college or university is preferred. 
• Proven track record of leading significant organizational change initiatives.
• Excellent consulting and coaching skills, with the ability to guide and support individuals and teams through the change process.
• Clear and persuasive verbal and written communication skills.
• Competent collaboration skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels and facilitate effective outcomes.
• Strong problem-solving skills enabled by a creative and innovative mindset.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and provide project oversight support.
• Experience in "selling" change and convincing leadership to invest in recommended ideas to address key business challenges. 
• Hands-on computer skills and experience with applicable software programs (e.g., Excel, Word, PowerPoint). 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• General office conditions.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V.
We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing

The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against "qualified individuals with disabilities".  If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please email complianceada@dcwater.com.