Manager, Watch Officer

CenterPoint Energy • Houston, TX

3d

About The Position

The Watch Office Manager is responsible for leading CenterPoint Energy’s 24/7 Watch Office operations, ensuring continuous situational awareness and coordinated response to emerging threats, including severe weather, security incidents, and infrastructure disruptions. This role oversees a team of Watch Officers and plays a critical role in incident escalation, executive communication, and operational readiness.

Requirements

• 5–10 years of experience managing a similar function within a County, State, or Federal Emergency Management Agency, Fusion Center, intelligence center, or utility operations center.
• 5–10 years of experience managing personnel, including staff development, coaching, and performance management.
• BS degree in related field
• Strong decision-making abilities under pressure.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with both executive leadership and frontline personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to lead in high-stakes, fast-paced environments.

Nice To Haves

• MS/MA/MBA preferred

Responsibilities

• Provide 24/7 situational awareness and response coordination for emerging or imminent threats.
• Supervise and support a team of six Watch Officers, ensuring high performance and operational continuity.
• Oversee the development and distribution of situational awareness products, including the Daily Report and Critical Incident Reports, for executive and senior leadership.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), workflows, and best practices for Watch Office operations.
• Lead the development and execution of the incident escalation process in collaboration with senior leaders across the company.
• Manage the activation of incident management teams and define escalation triggers.
• Serve as a key liaison between the Watch Office and executive leadership, ensuring timely and accurate communication during critical events.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Paid training
• Benefits eligibility begins on your first day
• Transit subsidies
• Flexible work schedule, paid holidays and paid time off
• Access to discounts at fitness clubs and an on-site wellness center at our headquarters in Houston
• Professional growth and development programs including tuition reimbursement
• 401(k) Savings Plan featuring a company match dollar-for-dollar up to 6% and a company contribution of 3% regardless of your contribution

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees