Chief Operating Officer

Central Coast Community Energy • Monterey, CA

13d • $350,000 - $375,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) seeks an innovative, collaborative, strategic executive to lead internal operations in support of its mission to provide the Central Coast with reliable and affordable clean electricity and innovative electrification programs. The Chief Operating Officer reports to the Chief Executive Officer and works in close partnership with the CEO, Chief Customer Officer, and Chief Power Officer as a core member of the executive leadership team. The COO has visibility into agency-wide operations and provides strategic leadership over functions and organizational needs assigned by the CEO. The COO serves as second in command when the CEO is away and helps ensure uninterrupted operations. Director-level reports include the Directors of General Services, Finance, Energy Risk Management, and Data Analytics and Technology. Executive assignments and oversight responsibilities may be adjusted by the CEO as operational needs change. The COO supervises assigned staff and outside vendors.

The role requires strong people-management ability, a calm and grounded demeanor, sound operational and financial judgment, and the ability to translate strategic direction into execution across a complex public agency. Electricity or parallel utility experience is valuable, but exceptional people management is the primary qualification. The position oversees operational execution, financial planning, enterprise systems, data management, cybersecurity, organizational performance, and relationships with agency leadership, elected officials, regulators, and community partners.

3CE is a Community Choice Aggregation agency serving customers across Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara counties. The position is based in Monterey, Soquel, Santa Barbara, or San Luis Obispo, California, and follows a hybrid work arrangement. Current remote workdays are Mondays and Thursdays, or employees may elect a 9/80 schedule with alternating Fridays or Mondays off. The annual salary range is $350,000–$375,000, depending on qualifications.

Requirements

• At least 10 years of full-time management experience, including several years at a senior management level.
• Substantial experience directly managing professional staff and managing managers who themselves lead teams.
• Demonstrated ability to develop staff through timely, specific, constructive feedback; set clear expectations; support manager development; and intervene appropriately when needed.
• Ability to manage conflict fairly, draw out candid input, hold staff accountable, and promote teamwork and shared purpose.
• Calm judgment under pressure, including in politically visible or emotionally charged situations; takes responsibility for outcomes and communicates honestly.
• Strong operational and financial management skills, including experience designing and scaling systems that support operational excellence as organizations grow.
• Ability to evaluate public financing opportunities and interpret and use balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
• Ability to prepare staff reports recommending rate changes or other significant actions and defend recommendations in public meetings.
• Strong project and time management skills, adaptability, and creative problem-solving ability.
• High-quality writing and clear, persuasive oral communication, including in Board materials, staff reports, public communications, and public meetings.
• Ability to interact effectively with regulatory agencies, executive colleagues, Board members, staff, and the public.
• Comfort operating under California’s Brown Act and related public meeting and public records requirements.
• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with major coursework in economics, business, engineering, or public administration; equivalent education, training, and experience may be considered.
• Adherence to 3CE personnel rules and policies.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in business administration, public administration, engineering, public policy, or a similar field.
• Experience supervising staff in energy, utility, or other regulated technical fields.
• Experience in California energy markets, energy products, or the regulatory structure.
• Knowledge of Community Choice Aggregation governance, financing, and operations.
• Knowledge of public agency operations, including Joint Powers Authorities, the Brown Act, and the Public Records Act.
• Knowledge of public works projects and the California Contracting Code.
• Knowledge of power procurement, hedging, and portfolio risk management.
• Knowledge of utility rate design and cost-of-service analysis.
• Spanish language proficiency.
• Exceptional people-management skills combined with other relevant utility or public-sector experience; the Authority will provide onboarding to an exceptional people manager who has less specific energy-sector knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Directly supervise Director-level staff by setting expectations, providing timely feedback, conducting performance reviews, supporting professional development, and making staffing decisions.
• Translate the CEO’s strategic direction into operational execution across departments, establish metrics, and monitor progress.
• Coordinate with the senior executive team to identify and resolve cross-departmental issues and align Directors and their teams.
• Develop talent, set high standards, and build teams that promote organizational excellence.
• Design and foster functional, engaging workplaces that use technology to support high performance across the agency’s multi-office footprint.
• Lead strategy and governance for enterprise systems, data management, and cybersecurity, ensuring technology and information assets are secure, compliant, and aligned with organizational goals.
• Attend and present at Board and Committee meetings as requested by the CEO, and prepare Director-level staff to present.
• Coordinate with the Treasurer and senior executive team to develop and implement long-term financial goals, annual budgets, and operational efficiency improvements.
• Ensure agency operations run efficiently and comply with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
• Foster a culture in which staff raise problems early, provide candid input, and pursue creative solutions.
• Represent 3CE at community events and, as appropriate, serve on boards of local nonprofit or industry organizations.
• Maintain effective working relationships with the CEO, CCO, CPO, General Counsel, Boards of Directors, Community Advisory Committee, staff, regulatory agencies, and community partners.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Benefits

• Employer contributes 10% of salary toward the PARS retirement system; employees contribute 10% pre-tax.
• Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage: 90% of employee-plus-family coverage and 100% of single coverage.
• Up to $2,400 annually toward flexible spending benefits and $3,600 toward an HRA.
• $1,000 per fiscal year for health, wellness, or EV reimbursement.
• 457 deferred compensation plan.
• 180 hours of PTO annually, accrued per pay period.
• $50 monthly cell phone allowance.
• Hybrid schedule with remote workdays on Mondays and Thursdays, or an option to elect a 9/80 schedule with alternating Fridays or Mondays off.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive