Program Director - Grid Flexibility

Kraken•New York City, NY

1d•$200,000 - $260,000

About The Position

Kraken is seeking a highly credible Program Director to own end-to-end delivery of a complex, marquee US utility flexibility deployment. The initiative focuses on grid-level needs by consolidating and dispatching supply- and demand-side flexible assets to unlock multiple value streams. As a first-of-its-kind program, the role combines hands-on execution and program leadership with senior utility relationship management. The director will have delivery and commercial matrix accountability and will help establish the foundational framework for the program. The role leads the program from launch through implementation and long-term value realization, managing timelines, decisions, coordination, and execution. It requires building credibility with a major regulated US electric utility, navigating its operational and control-room environment, and aligning product, engineering/technology, delivery, and customer-facing teams. The director will also own the business case, value realization, customer expansion, and revenue linkage. Travel to the client in the Northeast is expected approximately every two weeks for a few days at a time. The position offers a salary range of $200,000–$260,000, depending on relevant experience, role alignment, and demonstrated client-management expertise. Kraken is unable to offer visa sponsorship; applicants must have the right to work in the country where they apply at the time of application.

Requirements

Senior-level experience at Director, Senior Director, or Head-of level in program, implementation, delivery, or utility-transformation leadership.
Direct, deep experience in grid-modernization programs and strong understanding of Demand Response, DERs, VPPs, DERMS, AMI, and grid operations.
Proven experience managing stakeholders at regulated US electric utilities, including familiarity with utility operational and control-room environments.
Recent end-to-end ownership of a complex grid program, including planning, governance, and cross-functional execution, with direct responsibility for core project management rather than delegating it to a separate PMO.
A clear history of commercial or solution ownership, P&L exposure, or value-realization accountability.
Must have the right to work in the country of application at the time of application; visa sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

Based on the US East Coast, with exposure to Virginia, Mid-Atlantic, or broader East Coast utility ecosystems.
Experience leading grid-side flexibility work targeting specific physical or locational grid constraints, rather than only bulk-system or generic programs.
Recognized and credible presence in the US utility or flexibility ecosystem.

Responsibilities

Lead the program from day one through implementation and long-term value realization.
Directly manage delivery timelines, decision-making, coordination, and execution.
Create necessary program documentation, artifacts, and assets, and bridge functional gaps as they arise.
Build and deepen relationships with a major regulated US electric utility, identify new stakeholder relationships, and navigate the utility’s operational layers.
Align product, engineering/technology, delivery, and customer-facing teams, and influence product and delivery trade-offs.
Own commercial outcomes alongside delivery, including the business case, value realization, customer expansion, and revenue linkage.
Travel to the client in the Northeast approximately every two weeks for a few days at a time.