Chief Operating Officer

We are delighted to be retained by a CCA in California who are looking for an experienced, innovative, collaborative, strategic executive to help lead their team as it delivers on its mission to provide customers with reliable and affordable clean electricity and innovative electrification programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen the local economy.

The agency provides clean, renewable electricity at affordable rates to over 1.2 million customers across Central California counties. Governed by local representatives, the agency focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions by controlling renewable electricity generation, investing in new energy projects, and supporting the electrification of transportation and buildings.

The agency aims to offer long-term rate stability, enhance energy security, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and stimulate the local economy while meeting the unique needs of its diverse communities.

About the Role

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will represent the organization across various boards, committees, commissions, and at public hearings and meetings. The COO will also oversee the agency’s day-to-day operations and drive the implementation of the CEO’s vision and strategic goals.

In addition, the COO will serve as a key advisor to the CEO and General Counsel (GC) on agency matters, ensuring that staff members are accessible and responsive when needed. The COO will exercise strategic thinking and investment in working and driving results based on Board directives.

The COO will establish a consistent communication framework with the CEO, ensuring ongoing coordination and alignment. This position will be responsible for a broad range of initiatives and working closely with the CFO and CCO to ensure legal and contractual compliance.

The COO will clearly define and communicate their roles and decision-making responsibilities, working with the CEO to establish mutual agreement on decisions that fall within the COO’s purview, those requiring joint input, and those solely under the CEO’s authority.

Finally, the COO will develop a set of proposed objectives and performance metrics, which will serve as the COO’s basis for the annual performance review.

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS

• The ideal candidate will build and maintain strong working relationships with all department staff, board members, business leaders, and members of the public. They will demonstrate that they are committed to diversity and inclusion.
• The ideal candidate will have strong business acumen, and exceptional communication skills, and must be committed to lead California's premier CCA.
• The ideal candidate is a proven leader with the ability to mentor and guide staff.

Successful candidates will have:

• Strong ability to collaborate and affect a range of personalities and job types positively, move seamlessly from connecting with office employees to the Board of Directors
• Strong strategic planning skills, strong leadership skills, and goal orientated.
• Strong consistent leadership and a deep appreciation for developing followership equally across the organization to shape the culture of the organization.
• Strong people skills with the ability to interact effectively with employees, stakeholders, regulators, and elected officials.
• Commitment to decarbonization
• Knowledge of utility rate making including cost of service analysis
• Knowledge of how wholesale market work
• Familiarity in negotiating and consensus building
• Familiarity in power contracts
• Knowledge of modern and complex principles and practices of municipal government administration, organization, functions, and services
• Experience in working with local and state-level elected officials in the State of California and Boards of Directors.
• Familiarity with California State regulatory policies.

Education:

Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in economics, business, engineering, or public administration.

Experience:

Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in the operation division of an electric utility or utility experience that includes energy markets, contracts, rates energy programs, transportation electrification, or building electrification.

A Master’s degree in a related field and a previous work history in a public agency is strongly desirable.