Lea County Electric Cooperative- Chief Operating Officer

NRECA•Lovington, NM

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Lea County Electric Cooperative (LCEC) in Lovington, NM is hiring a collaborative, results-driven leader for their Chief Operating Officer (COO). This key member of the leadership team will play a critical role in aligning strategy with execution, strengthening organizational culture, and ensuring operational excellence across the cooperative. The COO will operate as the General Manager’s principal partner with full authority to act in their absence. The COO is expected to lead decisively, move the organization with urgency, and deliver measurable results across a complex electric system. This role is being created to support ongoing growth in capital projects and to address an increasingly complex and evolving regulatory environment. In addition, it will play a critical role in ensuring continuity of leadership and institutional knowledge as the organization prepares for a significant wave of upcoming retirements, strengthening succession planning and reinforcing a future-ready organizational structure. LCEC has retained NRECA Executive Search to facilitate the search process for this newly created position.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or related field
At least 5 years of progressive leadership experience
At least 10 years of electric utility experience
Strong operational and project management background

Nice To Haves

Electric cooperative or public power experience strongly preferred
Advanced degree (MBA or related)
Experience working with Boards, regulators, and community stakeholders
Experience with Southwest Power Pool (SPP) strongly preferred
Deep Expertise in transmission and distribution operations
MIP graduate is desired
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a plus
NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) experience
Direct experience in Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) environments

Responsibilities

Lead electric operations with an uncompromising focus on reliability, safety, and cost control
Own system performance across T&D infrastructure
Ensure compliance in a regulated, high-stakes environment
Oversee system resilience as a core operational priority
Convert strategy into executable capital plans—and deliver them without excuses
Ensure projects are completed on time, on budget, and to standard
Maintain real-time visibility into operational and financial performance
Partner on long-term system planning and grid modernization
Build a performance-driven, accountable organization
Lead teams/departments with authority and influence-not consensus alone
Develop the next generation of leadership and strengthen bench depth
Set the tone: high expectations, clear standards, no ambiguity
Oversight of Safety, Buildings and Grounds
Serve as a trusted advisor to the General Manager and Board
Represent the cooperative with credibility and command
Engage directly with Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) markets, including Southwest Power Pool (SPP)
Navigate regulatory, member, and industry relationships with confidence