Director Information Technology Utility Communications

APS•Phoenix, AZ

About The Position

Our present and future success depends on the creative and dedicated people of our company who demonstrate the principles outlined in the APS Promise: Design for Tomorrow, Empower Each Other and Succeed Together. Are you a strategic technology leader ready to shape the future of communications for one of Arizona’s most critical industries? As the Director of IT Utility Communications, you’ll set the vision and lead the strategy for the design, implementation, and operation of enterprise-wide infrastructure, telecommunications, and network systems that power reliable, secure, and connected energy delivery across the state. This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for ensuring the stability, performance, and resilience of APS’s communications and IT infrastructure, from core networks to disaster recovery systems, while driving innovation, efficiency, and continuous improvement. What your day would be like: Lead Strategy & Vision: Define and execute short- and long-term strategies for IT infrastructure, telecommunications, and disaster recovery operations. Drive Operational Excellence: Oversee the performance, maintenance, and modernization of statewide data and communication networks. Ensure Reliability & Resilience: Establish plans and processes that safeguard the continuous operation of mission-critical technology services. Lead High-Performing Teams: Inspire and develop leaders and technical experts across multiple domains, including IP networks, voice systems, communication platforms, and infrastructure engineering. Optimize Technology Investments: Manage enterprise software and hardware portfolios, ensuring cost efficiency and alignment with business needs. Strengthen Governance: Develop and enforce IT operational processes for change, configuration, problem management, and service quality. Collaborate & Influence: Partner with senior business leaders to align technology strategy with organizational priorities and customer needs. Who we’re looking for: Visionary Leader: Proven success in leading large-scale IT and communications infrastructure within utilities or other critical-infrastructure sectors. Strategic Thinker: Skilled at developing long-term technology roadmaps that balance innovation, cost control, and reliability. Operational Expert: Deep understanding of network engineering, telecommunications, infrastructure architecture, and IT disaster recovery. Collaborative Influencer: Builds strong relationships across business and technical teams, fostering trust and shared purpose. Change Champion: Experienced in transforming operations, improving efficiency, and leading through evolving technologies and regulatory demands. Results-Driven Executive: Focused on measurable outcomes—ensuring system uptime, operational excellence, and superior service delivery.

Requirements

B.S. in Computer Science, Business, Electrical Engineering or related degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Comprehensive IT technical and managerial knowledge with a minimum of ten (10) years progressively responsible experience with emphasis in client relationship management, consulting, engineering, construction, development and implementation of information systems.
Five (5) of the ten years of experience in an IT leadership role with proven ability to develop and manage high performing teams.
Significant knowledge of business processes, competitive trends and developments in industry drivers.
Demonstrated effective oral, written and presentation communication skills; marketing and negotiation skills; and the highest quality interpersonal and people management skills.
Strong critical thinking and creativity skills along with the ability to exercise sound judgment by making decisions based on accurate and timely analyses.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and Internet.

Nice To Haves

MBA or Masters degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Plan, evaluate and recommend strategies, programs, policies and processes for the design and maintenance of the company's telecommunication systems,networks and infrastructure that align and support the overall business objectives.
Develop and manage the setting and achievement of long-term and annual department goals that have company-wide impact.
Plan, evaluate and recommend strategies, technology resources, tools and processes that align and support business objectives.
Establish and implement strategic and tactical IT plans to meet business objectives.Support business justification process and assessment of cost and impact of proposed technological changes.
Develop strategic and tactical plans required to maintain disaster recovery readiness of critical systems such as Energy Management System (EMS), Distribution Operations Management System (DOMS), and Customer Information Systems (CIS). Develop, maintain and execute Incident Command response and operations whenever technology failures cause a significant business impact.
Develop and implement strategic plans for preventative maintenance and support of state-wide data and communications networks for Protective Relaying and the 800MHz radio system. Define, implement and track key operating metrics in order to measure the effectiveness of operations and maintenance processes.
Lead the effort to research technology trends and understand the changing business environment for APS to better position IT to recommend and implement cost effective solutions.
Promote, teach, and communicate the IT Guiding Principles as a cultural foundation for performing work in the IT organization with our business partners.
Select and develop a high performing team through effective coaching, performance feedback, recognition, training and developmental opportunities.
Manage the development of the operating and capital budgets needed for cost effective project planning, implementation and subsequent support necessary to support the data operations and network functions.Ensure that expenditures remain within approved budgets and appropriate actions, negotiations and communications are followed for expenditure deviations. Ensure proper management of hardware and software inventories.