Human Performance Improvement Program Manager

Dairyland Power Cooperative • La Crosse, WI

2d • $102,400 - $153,600 • Hybrid

About The Position

Dairyland is proud of its People First culture centered around appreciation, celebrating wins, and collaboration. The organization focuses on ensuring alignment between its culture and its processes, systems, learning and development, and rewards and recognition programs. As a team, they work together to leverage diverse perspectives, ideas, and experiences to deliver the best. They are collaborative, transparent, and committed to their People and their work experience, growth, and professional development.

The purpose of this role is to serve as a senior Human Performance Improvement (HPI) professional and technical resource to the Manager, Organizational Effectiveness. The individual will independently administer, evaluate, and improve assigned programs, integrating causal analysis, corrective action, operating experience, observations, trending, assessments, and human performance training to strengthen individual and organizational performance. This role involves developing program standards, methodologies, measures, and improvement recommendations consistent with departmental direction and organizational objectives. The position also provides technical guidance on complex performance issues, coordinates cross-functional improvement initiatives, and builds employee and leader capability through training, coaching, and practical application of industry methods.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related technical, human factors, organizational, or business discipline.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience applying Human Performance Improvement (HPI) or comparable Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) principles and methodologies in electric utilities or similar complex, high-hazard operating environments.
• Experience demonstrating broad knowledge of integrated performance improvement programs, independent program leadership, and the ability to provide technical guidance to management with minimal direction.
• Advanced applied knowledge of Human Performance Improvement (HPI) principles and methodologies, including human capabilities and limitations, error precursors, organizational contributors, and the effectiveness of controls and barriers.
• Broad technical knowledge of causal analysis, corrective action, operating experience, observations, trending, assessments, and human performance training, with the ability to integrate these activities and independently lead assigned programs.
• Ability to serve as a senior technical resource to management, evaluate complex performance issues, and provide practical recommendations with minimal direction.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to evaluate evidence, identify organizational trends and performance gaps, assess significance and risk, and develop effective improvements.
• Ability to develop and maintain strategies, standards, performance expectations, measures, and continuous improvement priorities for assigned programs, consistent with departmental direction and organizational objectives.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, anticipate emerging issues, resolve technical problems, and recognize decisions requiring management involvement.
• Advanced organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to independently manage multiple priorities, assigned initiatives within established departmental priorities and available resources.
• Advanced written, verbal, facilitation, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and effectively advise employees, leaders, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to build effective cross-functional relationships, influence without formal authority, and facilitate alignment and adoption of improved policies, practices, and procedures.
• Ability to develop and evaluate professional and technical materials, including procedures, standards, analyses, reports, and practical training.
• Ability to coach, mentor, and develop employees, leaders, and Organizational Effectiveness staff in the practical application of HPI and performance improvement methodologies including providing guidance and reviewing work products.
• Commitment to maintaining and advancing professional expertise through industry engagement, benchmarking, technical training, and continuing education.
• Valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

• Formal professional training in HPI or comparable HOP methodologies is preferred.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Independently lead, administer, and oversee assigned Organizational Effectiveness programs, ensuring effectiveness, consistency, and alignment with organizational objectives.
• Integrate Human Performance Improvement (HPI) principles and methodologies across causal analysis, corrective action, operating experience, observations, trending, assessments, and human performance training to support a coordinated approach to performance improvement.
• Develop and maintain program strategies, standards, methodologies, performance expectations, and continuous improvement priorities. Identify program needs, recommend direction, and manage implementation with minimal management guidance.
• Provide technical guidance to the Manager, Organizational Effectiveness and organizational leaders on difficult and sometimes complex performance improvement issues within assigned program areas. Develop practical recommendations based on evidence, prior experience, and analysis.
• Evaluate program health and organizational performance through data, trends, assessments, operating experience, observations, and performance indicators. Identify emerging risks and recommend appropriate organizational actions.
• Establish and maintain program performance measures, reporting methods, and evaluation criteria. Communicate program health, trends, risks, and improvement effectiveness to leadership.
• Lead causal analyses, investigations, and evaluations involving difficult and sometimes complex performance issues within assigned program scope. Examine human performance, work conditions, organizational contributors, and the effectiveness of controls to identify causes and improvement opportunities. Engage management on significant risks, resource needs, and decisions outside assigned authority.
• Provide technical oversight and quality review of causal analyses, corrective actions, and effectiveness reviews. Ensure conclusions are supported by evidence, actions address identified causes, and evaluations verify sustained improvement.
• Lead assigned cross-functional performance improvement initiatives and facilitate alignment among leaders, subject matter experts, employees, and other stakeholders. Coordinate implementation within established priorities and assigned authority, engaging management when changes require approval or additional resources.
• Develop, evaluate, and maintain Organizational Effectiveness procedures, standards, methodologies, guidance, tools, and program documentation grounded in HPI principles.
• Lead industry benchmarking and engagement with peer organizations. Evaluate emerging HPI, Human and Organizational Performance (HOP), and continuous improvement practices. Recommend applicable methods and incorporate approved changes into assigned programs.
• Develop and deliver role-based HPI training, reports, presentations, and communications. Support practical application of human performance methods in daily work and leadership practices.
• Lead organizational assessments, self-assessments, audits, and peer reviews. Translate results into prioritized improvement actions and evaluate implementation and effectiveness of approved actions.
• Coach and mentor employees, leaders, and Organizational Effectiveness staff in HPI methodologies, program management, causal analysis, and performance improvement practices. Provide guidance and review work products to build organizational capability and independent judgment.
• Anticipate and resolve program and technical issues within assigned authority. Engage management on significant risks, resource needs, and decisions requiring management approval.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health & disability benefits (medical, dental, vision, short & long-term disability)
• Life insurance
• Generous 401(k) and Pension Plans
• Paid Time Off
• Robust Wellness Program
• New Flexible Work Program
• Tuition Reimbursement

What This Job Offers

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