Manager II, Codes and Standards

Summit Utilities Inc•Fayetteville, AR

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Manager/ Manager II, Codes and Standards provide enterprise-level leadership and strategic direction for the company’s codes, standards, and related compliance programs across all operating companies and jurisdictions. This role owns the governance framework, development, implementation, and continual improvement of company standards to ensure compliance with federal and state requirements while integrating leading industry practices. The Senior Manager serves as a key advisor to senior leadership on regulatory risk, natural gas codes and standards, and the impact of emerging rulemakings on company operations and capital plans. This position requires deep expertise in federal and state natural gas regulations, standards, and industry trends, as well as the ability to lead cross-functional initiatives that improve pipeline safety, integrity, and reliability. The Senior Manager directs the Codes & Standards team and oversees key programs such as QA/QC, After Action Reviews (AAR), Root Cause Analyses (RCA), and Management of Change (MOC), driving systemic issue resolution and continuous improvement across the enterprise.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited institution required.
8–10+ years of progressive experience in codes, standards, and regulatory compliance related to natural gas transmission and/or distribution systems.
Demonstrated experience leading teams and/or programs with enterprise or multi-jurisdictional scope.
Advanced knowledge of applicable national standards and regulations for the natural gas industry, including but not limited to 49 CFR Parts 190 & 192 and ASME B31.8.
Proven ability to develop and execute multi-year strategies, policies, and roadmaps that impact multiple functions and operating companies.
Strong leadership skills with a track record of building, coaching, and developing high-performing technical teams.
Demonstrated success leading cross-functional initiatives and influencing senior leaders and stakeholders without direct authority.
Experience managing budgets, evaluating business cases, and making financially informed recommendations related to codes, standards, materials, and integrity programs.
Hands-on experience developing and maintaining natural gas codes, standards, product specifications, and technical requirements.
Exceptional planning, organizational, and reporting skills with strong attention to detail and follow-through.
Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, including the ability to synthesize complex technical and regulatory information into clear guidance and decisions.
Excellent oral communication and technical writing skills, with the ability to effectively brief and advise senior leadership.
Proven interpersonal skills, including decision-making, influencing, and change leadership; capable of collaborating effectively across diverse teams, locations, and stakeholder groups.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (e.g., MS in Engineering, MBA, or related field) preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and direction for the Codes & Standards function, including setting annual strategic objectives, defining KPIs, and ensuring alignment with enterprise safety, integrity, and risk strategies.
Lead, coach, and develop a team of professionals and/or managers; provide regular feedback, performance management, and succession planning for critical subject-matter expert roles.
Own the enterprise Codes and Standards governance framework, including policies, approval processes, and exception handling, ensuring consistency across all operating companies and jurisdictions.
Design, implement, and maintain robust processes to ensure the Codes and Standards library remains current with legal and regulatory requirements and reflects industry best practices for natural gas transmission and distribution.
Chair or co-chair enterprise committees (e.g., Material Standards Committee, Codes & Standards Governance), facilitating cross-functional decision-making that impacts design standards, material selection, and operating practices.
Collaborate with Procurement, Engineering, Operations, Integrity, and EHS&T to sustain and enhance the Approved Materials List, evaluating new products and technologies for safety, compliance, lifecycle cost, and operational fit.
Develop and oversee a tracking database and dashboard program for procedures, technical standards, and related documentation; ensure periodic review cycles, audit readiness, and timely updates to maintain compliance with applicable codes and referenced standards.
Provide executive-level oversight of QA/QC, RCA, and AAR programs related to codes and standards, ensuring that systemic issues are identified, prioritized, and mitigated through durable corrective and preventive actions.
Administer and continuously improve the company’s Management of Change (MOC) program for Codes & Standards and provide governance, guidance, and support for MOC processes in related departments.
Serve as the senior Subject Matter Expert (SME) for federal (PHMSA) and state natural gas code interpretation, leading resolution of complex or escalated compliance questions and issues.
Monitor natural gas industry trends, technologies, and regulatory developments; assess potential impacts and develop strategic recommendations for senior leadership and key stakeholders.
Support and influence pipeline safety and integrity programs by aligning codes, standards, and technical requirements with integrity management, risk models, and capital/O&M planning.
Represent the company in external industry associations, standards organizations, and regulatory forums to influence rulemaking, advocate company positions, and bring back insights to inform internal strategies.
Develop and manage the functional budget for Codes & Standards, including resource planning, prioritization of initiatives, and evaluation of business cases for standards-related investments.
Ensure effective communication, training, and change management for new or revised standards, procedures, and governance, driving consistent adoption across all impacted departments.