Senior Vice President of Operations

Summit Utilities Inc • Little Rock, AR

86d

About The Position

The Senior Vice President (SVP) of Operations is a pivotal member of Summit Utilities’ executive leadership team, accountable for driving operational strategy, execution, and performance across the enterprise. This role provides executive oversight of Operations, Operations Support, Gas Supply, and Engineering, ensuring that Summit delivers safe, reliable, and sustainable energy for the communities we serve. As a strategic partner to the CEO, COO, and Board of Directors, the SVP will shape operational priorities, steward critical infrastructure investments, and forge strong regulatory and stakeholder relationships. This executive balances near term operational excellence with long term innovation, positioning Summit to remain resilient, competitive, and customer focused in a rapidly evolving energy landscape.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (ABET accredited), Business, or a related field required, with a preference for Engineering.
• Advanced degree (MBA, MS Engineering, or equivalent) strongly preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in the natural gas or regulated utility sector, including 10 years in senior/executive operational leadership roles.
• Demonstrated expertise in large scale operations management, capital program execution, regulatory affairs, and enterprise risk management.

Nice To Haves

• Deep knowledge of utility operations, safety standards, regulatory compliance, and industry best practices.
• Strategic business acumen with proven track record of success in operational transformation, financial oversight, and innovation.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence at the Board, regulatory, and community levels.
• Exceptional stakeholder management, communication, and negotiation skills for building partnerships with executives and external entities.
• Proven ability to champion continuous improvement and adoption of emerging technologies.
• Commitment to recruiting, developing, and leading high-performing teams with broad representation in a dynamic, complex environment.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute operational strategies that align with corporate objectives, regulatory requirements, and customer needs.
• Lead enterprise-wide operational excellence initiatives to drive safety, reliability, efficiency, and cost effectiveness.
• Oversee modernization of transmission, distribution, and system assets to ensure long term sustainability.
• Direct multiyear operating and capital budgets, ensuring disciplined fiscal management and alignment with growth priorities.
• Provide executive oversight of major infrastructure projects, modernization efforts, and system expansions, ensuring projects are delivered on time and under budget.
• Optimize allocation of workforce, technology, and capital resources to maximize value, resilience, and operational agility.
• Champion a safety-first culture fostering accountability and compliance at every organizational level.
• Identify, anticipate and mitigate operational, environmental, and safety risks, implementing robust controls and response frameworks.
• Lead the development, execution, and continual refinement of enterprise crisis response, disaster recovery, and resiliency plans.
• Represent Summit with regulators, policymakers, and industry associations engaging on relevant policy, safeguarding company interests, and maintaining regulatory compliance.
• Serve as an ambassador to external stakeholders, strengthening trust, transparency, and corporate alignment with community needs.
• Report operational performance, priorities, and emerging challenges to the Board and executive team at regular intervals and as needed.
• Mentor, coach and develop a high performing team of operational executives and senior leaders.
• Ensure succession readiness and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Foster an environment of fairness, respect, and broad organizational engagement throughout all levels of the company.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible benefits that support employees at work and at home

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees