Manager, Operational Excellence

NRG Energy•Eagle Mountain, UT

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

As an NRG employee, we encourage you to take charge of your career and development journey. We invite you to explore exciting opportunities across our businesses. You'll find that our dynamic work environment provides variety and challenge. Your growth is key to our ongoing success—take the lead in shaping your career development, goals and future! Welcome to the intersection of energy and home services. At NRG, we're all about propelling the next generation of leaders forward. We are driven by our passion to create a smarter, cleaner and more connected future. We deliver innovative solutions that make our customers' lives easier—helping them power, protect, and intelligently manage their homes and businesses. To do this, we need creative and talented people to join our company. We offer a dynamic work environment and a unified and inclusive culture. NRG fosters a strong sense of belonging that leads to better collaboration and business performance. Our company programs are designed to help employees develop the skills they need for success now and in the future. In everything we do, we aim to champion our employees and bring value to our customers, investors and society. More information is available at www.nrg.com. Connect with NRG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X. Position Summary: The role of the Operational Excellence Program Manager is to lead the execution of Operational Excellence programs including establishing/refining roles & responsibilities, implement standardized agile and other methodologies project processes, managing the program leads through matrix reporting, establish and utilize tools, metrics, communication, escalation/decision-making and risk management plans, and ensure collaboration and alignment with organizational goals across the enterprise. Role will report to the Operational Excellence leader(s) with accountability to the Finance Leadership Team consisting of Senior Finance leaders.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or a related field
5+ years leading complex, multi‑workstream programs
Artificial Intelligence (AI) awareness: Proficiency with Microsoft 365 + Power Platform AI features (e.g., Copilot in Excel/Power BI/Teams)
Familiarity with Agile Methodology: Concepts will be used in Framework and Approach of Program
Proven governance leadership: establishing and running program operating rhythms
Hands‑on artifact ownership: Communication Plans, RAID logs, RACIs, benefits registers, executive reporting packs; demonstrated ability to keep these current, accurate, and decision‑ready
Leadership facilitation: experience orchestrating RAPID or similar decision frameworks; driving escalations to timely outcomes with pre‑reads and clear recommendations.
Benefits realization: track record linking initiatives to measurable outcomes (cycle‑time reduction, accuracy/quality improvements, cost/efficiency gains) and coordinating validation with Finance Rep
Change management exposure: integrating change planning (stakeholder mapping, readiness pulses, enablement, comms) into program operations
Executive presence & clarity: communicates complex topics simply, frames decisions crisply, and earns trust with data
Operational discipline: meticulous with cadence and artifacts; “closes loops” and keeps the Program Owner and Executive Sponsors current
Execution Focused: moves decisions forward; escalates early with options; avoids analysis paralysis
Influence without authority: aligns diverse stakeholders; navigates competing priorities; holds teams accountable through governance and matrix organization
Adaptability & resilience: steady under pressure; adjusts operating rhythms to finance calendar constraints (close, audit, board cycles)
Integrity & discretion: handles sensitive information appropriately; sets the tone for controls and compliance
Communication Skills: Advanced skill level with PowerPoint, Excel, Word and other office tools. Adaptable communication skills with communication to all levels of project members and executive management

Nice To Haves

Equivalent experience in enterprise transformation
Program/portfolio: PgMP, or similar
Governance/PM: PMP or PMI‑ACP (hybrid/agile literacy)
Lean Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt)

Responsibilities

Own the operating rhythm: run and maintain the cadence for Program Governance and Program Teams
Maintain the program playbook: standards for meetings, artifacts, templates, and decisions
Curate, align and oversee structure of the central dashboard/repository (status, milestones, RAID, decisions, benefits)
Manage overall program utilizing agile methodology including sprint planning, backlog management, and coordination with leads
Manage cost for the program including ensuring compliance with purchasing and reporting financial processes
Manage schedules for the program ensuring alignment of outcomes and capabilities
Execute and maintain the Communication Plan: audience identification, segmentation, message purpose, channels, and cadence
Provide talking points and program level materials for the Sponsors, Champions, and Leads to utilize with stakeholders
Publish executive summaries and circulate pre-reads before decision forums
Ensure consistency and standardization of communication templates and artifacts
Own the RAID log: intake, triage, routing, and tracking across decision tiers
Facilitate resolution by convening the right stakeholders and tracking outcomes to closure
Analyze RAID patterns and surface trending risks and capacity constraints
Facilitate RAPID (Recommend, Agree, Perform, Input, Decide): clarify roles for each decision, collect inputs, and drive to timely decisions
Run escalations: ensure leaders are looped in when needed, with clear pre-reads and options; log decisions and rationale
Monitor decision-making at all tiers
Maintain the RACI across all program roles
Publish updates as workstreams evolve; resolve overlaps and gaps in accountability
Ensure compliance with program and project audit requirements
Build the reporting pack: dashboards for milestones, costs, schedules, KPIs, benefits realization, and program health
Maintain the benefits register and coordinate validation with Finance Rep.
Coordinate quarterly portfolio views for prioritization and capacity
Onboard sponsors, champions, and team members: Walk Around Deck, roles & responsibilities, operating rhythm, tooling access, and “how we work”
Run enablement sessions on program governance, artifacts, and expectations
Track stakeholder engagement and readiness
Ensure healthy interactions between roles: clarify decision rights, meeting purpose, and expected inputs/outputs
Reduce meeting redundancy and shift status reporting to the central dashboard
Integrate change into delivery: impact assessments, readiness plans, and role-based training timelines
Run feedback loops and incorporate learnings into program operations
Connect program outcomes to Finance priorities and celebrate wins
Ensure Teams/SharePoint/Reporting Platforms structures are intuitive; manage access and versioning