IT Solution Lead

Xcel Energy • Minneapolis, MN

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

Xcel Energy is hiring an IT Solution Lead to support database environments for Energy Services, including Distribution, Transmission, and Nuclear business areas. Based in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, the role partners with application support teams on projects of varying sizes and durations and leads work across the end-to-end solution lifecycle. The Solution Lead is accountable for meeting business needs, supporting business strategy, and ensuring IT solutions operate soundly. The role provides in-depth understanding of business needs, processes, and solutions, and works with cross-organizational teams to ensure solutions align with architecture and IT strategy. It also serves as a key contact for business, customer, and stakeholder groups within its domain, helping represent business needs, value, and risk.

The position primarily involves SQL Server and Oracle database administration, including backup and recovery, performance tuning, and business continuity. It also encompasses relationship management, solution delivery, operations management, and subject matter expertise. Xcel Energy supports a hybrid work model; many roles work onsite three days per week, Tuesday through Thursday, though expectations vary by role, team, and business needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Technology, Science, Business, or a related field, or four years of experience equivalent to the position.
• Seven years of related functional experience.
• Experience with project or product delivery practices, including SDLC, Agile, and Waterfall.
• Ability to recommend innovative solutions that meet business needs.
• Ability to drive continuous improvement through lean and agile practices.
• In-depth knowledge of end-to-end processes and system capabilities, industry standards, emerging technologies, and methods.
• Strong understanding of the technical, functional, and operational details of the relevant solutions.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to build subject matter expertise in functional and technical areas, processes, and tools, and drive consistency in processes.
• In-depth knowledge of, or ability to quickly attain expertise in, core IT components within the relevant domain.
• Excellent communication skills across organizational levels and skill sets, including the ability to translate between technical and non-technical concepts.
• Excellent relationship management and collaboration skills, with a track record of cross-organizational work to drive innovation and business results.

Nice To Haves

• Experience as a database administrator supporting Energy Management System (EMS SCADA), Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS SCADA), Gas ACADA, operational technology, and Nuclear systems.
• Prior experience working at Xcel Energy.
• Strong technical knowledge of SQL Server database administration for SQL Server 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2025.
• Strong technical knowledge of Oracle database administration for versions 12c, 19c, and 26ai.
• Experience with SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) package development and implementation, and reporting services.
• Experience with database replication technologies, including mirroring, log shipping, and replication.
• Experience with Oracle Automatic Storage Management (ASM), RAC, and Data Guard technology.
• Experience with Oracle and SQL Server major version upgrades.
• Experience with T-SQL, PL/SQL, shell scripting, and PowerShell scripting.
• Experience with Windows/SQL Server clustering and AlwaysOn Failover Cluster.
• Knowledge of managing PostgreSQL and MySQL databases.

Responsibilities

• Administer SQL Server databases, including backup and recovery, performance tuning, and business continuity.
• Administer Oracle databases, including backup and recovery, performance tuning, and business continuity.
• Partner with business areas, customers, and stakeholders to understand business needs and opportunities.
• Represent business partners and stakeholders in strategic planning and investment prioritization.
• Establish and maintain collaborative partnerships with internal partners.
• Provide coaching and direction to less experienced team members.
• Participate in demand management preparation and lead or support delivery lifecycle activities.
• Ensure solutions are designed for a strong user experience and operational performance.
• Facilitate delivery meetings and ceremonies.
• Lead analysis and design; provide plans, demos, artifacts, and procedural documentation as needed.
• Ensure solutions are designed for stable operation; review performance and assess system and process health.
• Drive action to avoid service disruption and minimize impacts.
• Align with stakeholders on maintenance activities and schedules.
• Monitor industry and technology trends to improve solution delivery practices and customer satisfaction.

Benefits

• Annual Incentive Program
• Medical/Pharmacy Plan
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Health Care Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account (if enrolled in an eligible health plan)
• Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in an eligible health plan and HSA)
• Transportation Reimbursement Account
• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in an eligible health plan)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Transit programs
• Employee recognition program
• Pension
• 401(k) plan
• Paid time off
• Holidays
• Volunteer Paid Time Off
• Parental Leave

What This Job Offers

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