Director, Strategic Planning & Emerging Technologies

Cobb EMC•Marietta, GA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Cobb EMC has an exciting opportunity for a Director, Strategic Planning and Emerging Technologies who will be responsible for leading enterprise-wide strategic planning and guiding the cooperative’s approach to emerging technologies. This position will be responsible for working with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) in developing the overall planning, organizing, and directing of the Strategic Planning process and related functions. This role will also work with the ELT and Senior Leadership Team to evaluate emerging technologies across the enterprise. This Director will also oversee enterprise risk management assessment and assist in implementing strategies to mitigate and manage risks, as appropriate. Also, to exceed expectations and consistently provide the highest level of work performance in a team-oriented environment in accordance with the Cooperative’s mission, vision, and values. Schedule: Monday- Friday 8am-5pm (After training, becomes a hybrid role- 3 days in the office and 2 days remote)

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Strategic Planning, Organization Management or another related field.
Minimum 5-7 years progressive utility experience in a corporate service, strategy, risk management, financial, technology or related position.
Effective leadership skills and ability to work in a team environment
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
Knowledge of a broad spectrum of business information sources and tools
Ability to work with minimal supervision
Ability to appropriately handle confidential information
Proficiency with MS Office and proven track record with document formatting
Ability to work effectively with people in all levels and departments in the Cooperative
Must have a sense of urgency, ability to multi-task and meet frequent deadlines
Capability of doing constructive planning, organizing and evaluating in a progressive management style.
Knowledge of principals of business management, strategic planning, quantitative analysis, benchmarking, metrics, and risk management
Excellent communication skills, and high comfort level presenting/communicating with senior management and Board of Directors

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree in Business Administration
Knowledge of AMI, AI, DER, Customer Care and other utility critical technologies
Knowledge of developing technological roadmaps
Experience with developing AI strategy across the electric cooperative
Experience with RFP/RFI processes
Experience in Strategic Thinking and Planning at an enterprise level
Experience with an electric utility or a consultant/advisor with a broad market view and understanding of electric utility emerging technologies.

Responsibilities

Lead development, maintenance, and reporting of the cooperative’s long-term strategic plan
Facilitate cross-departmental participation
Support executive leadership and Board planning activities
Maintain and provide updated business and operating KPIs and Dashboard
Support pilot projects and innovation initiatives with PMO and Project Leads
Identify grants and funding for enterprise initiatives
Monitor and report saving and performance metrics
Promote analytics adoption
Prepare strategic reports and presentations
Engage industry and community stakeholders
Manage consultants and vendors, as needed
Seek input and communicate approved long-term strategic plan to employees, Senior leadership of Cobb EMC and Gas South along with Board of Directors
Create and provide periodic reporting to senior management on changes to strategic plan based on input from divisions
Build effective relationships with key stakeholders and process improvements
Communicate and coordinate the schedule and results of strategic planning initiatives to the entire leadership team
Develop and maintain strong partnership within Cobb EMC across divisions and departments to obtain buy-in and effectively deliver strategic initiatives
Review internal and external factors, conditions, forces and influences that may impact the Cooperative and assess the impact those may have
Collaborate with all departments to strengthen risk controls, mitigation plans, and resiliency strategies.
Present risk findings, mitigation strategies, and risk tolerance considerations to the executive team and Board of Directors.
Ensure ERM practices are integrated with strategic planning, budgeting, and major capital or procurement decisions.
Facilitate a robust risk management process for enterprise and coordinate Risk Management Committee meetings ensuring execution of all risk management mitigation strategies
Assist efforts to identify options and deliver solutions to resolve business problems
Support Project Management Office activities, including RFP and RFI processes, vendor selection and set-up, D&B review, and other project management as needed
Track regulatory changes as part of both strategy and risk management
Develop a budget for respective accounting unit, but also larger projects
Create financial models to calculate overall enterprise impact of projects, including ROI/ROA, payback, etc.
Build business cases to support recommended projects
Identify and Assess Emerging Technologies: Continuously scanning the energy, technology, and utility sectors to identify emerging technologies.
Evaluate Strategic Fit and Enterprise Value: Assess potential benefits, risks, and costs associated with new technologies.
Monitor Industry Trends and Regulatory Changes: Track changes in technology markets and regulatory environments.
Support Pilot Projects and Innovation Initiatives: Partner to design, evaluate, and support pilots.
Conduct Cost-Benefit and Impact Analyses: Perform financial modeling and scenario analysis.
Promote Innovation Culture Across the Cooperative: Encourage collaboration and awareness.