Sr Director - Thermal Innovation & DTO

Iberdrola•Portland, OR

10h•$190,000 - $272,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Sr Director of Thermal Innovation and Digital Optimization is responsible for leading strategic programs focused on innovation, special initiatives, and operational excellence within the thermal generation. This role will also play a key part in negotiating thermal maintenance agreements and implementing cost-control strategies to ensure maximum value and efficiency. In addition, this role will manage digital optimization and transformation which is focused on improving projects, processes, systems, and tools focused on obtaining positive and quantitative business results. To be successful the Sr Director influences main stakeholders at executive and senior director level, to align principal goals and strategy. This position acts as a key connection with different departments within the Avangrid organization, as well as with global areas, accommodating and coordinating larger and global initiatives with the local strategic plan and priorities.

Requirements

Advanced degree in Engineering or Business (MBA preferred) with 10+ years of relevant experience required.
Proven experience in cost-out initiatives within the power industry, with a track record of delivering measurable operational and financial improvements.
Deep technical expertise in combined-cycle power plants, including performance optimization and efficiency enhancement strategies.
Hands-on experience in implementing and delivering remote operations, encompassing system integration, digital platforms, and operational readiness.
Experience in Digital Technology.
Demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to function well in a team environment and interface with a broad range of departments and work groups.
Demonstrated skill in understanding, motivating and / or influencing others in achieving project objectives, causing appropriate action and understanding others.
Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks with concurrent schedules.
Pro-active, detail oriented, results-driven, with organized work techniques.
Ability to assimilate a high volume of information across disciplines and departments, providing guidance and support to management and experts in each of those disciplines.
High proficiency using Microsoft Word, Excel, Project, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Understanding of financial terms and concepts and capability to measure the impacts of the initiatives on financial figures.
Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally.

Nice To Haves

Experience in projects execution in the sector of renewable energy.
Experience in processes optimization in Renewables.
Digitally oriented, early adopter and critical thinker to adopt or discard digital solutions based on the real results they will provide.
Capacity to understand concepts related with engineering, maintenance, supply chain, procurement, contract and asset management and power generation.
Self-starter with demonstrated performance leading initiatives and building consensus at all levels of a matrixed global organization.
Ability to identify and analyze project risks and proactively find solutions with a flexible, creative, and pragmatic approach.
Ability to efficiently manage multiple, concurrent, time-sensitive projects and priorities.
Effectively provides and receives information orally in individual and group situations.
Written expression is clear, concise, and conveys the desired message.
Excellent organizational and Communication Skills.
Ability to empower people, promote innovations, and drive change.
Result oriented and able to propose and keep track of specific Key Performance Indicators and milestones.
Capable of lead and manage complex and key transformation projects.
Must demonstrate excellent organizational and communicational skills, decision making, results delivery, team building, and the ability to stay current with relevant technology and innovations and market rule changes that impact job responsibilities.
Must be able to address effectively and exchange information with different levels and groups within the organization.
Must demonstrate excellent communication skills and coordination on high executive level.

Responsibilities

Thermal Innovation: Innovation Leadership: Develop and implement advanced technologies for thermal assets, such as predictive analytics, and AI-driven solutions.
Strategic Program Management: Oversee cross-functional projects that enhance plant performance, reduce emissions, and optimize cost structures.
Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all initiatives meet environmental, safety, and industry standards.
Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with executive leadership, engineering teams, and external partners to deliver high-impact solutions.
Financial Stewardship: Prepare business cases and cost-benefit models to support strategic investments.
Digital Transformation & Optimization: Planning & Project Economics: To control and prioritize the improvement opportunities portfolio and oversee the execution of the initiatives including their expected financial return.
Quality Management: Where processes are defined, controlled, and reviewed; responsible for the ISO 9001 certification process and oversees the Management of Change process.
Optimization Programs: Development and implementation of continuous improvement and optimization programs for all areas of the organization, from development to execution and O&M/Asset management.
Responsible to coordinate all innovation projects of the business and define and review processes from an efficiency point of view.
Digital Center of Excellence: In charge of designing, planning, implementing, maintaining, and improving digital tools and systems while looking for new opportunities to support or digitalize more the processes of the business.
The Digital Center of Excellence in Renewables, as part of the BDTO area, oversees designing, delivering, and maintaining digital solutions needed to run the business.
These solutions are critical for the O&M and Asset Management (Remote Operations and Trading) areas, but very important though to support and optimize the growth areas of the business (Commercial, Organic Growth, and Projects Delivery).
Coordination and impulse of best practices across the business.
Coordination, impulse, and monitoring of key improvement initiatives and processes optimization.
Coordination with local and Global counterparties on strategic plans implementation and coordination and working groups.
Coordination of the design and implementation of the Digital Programs in the Business.
Follow up and control of short and medium-term initiatives at the Business Area level.
Quality Management System Assurance and Control - ISO 9001 Program Leadership.
Management of Change and Innovation Programs coordination with other disciplines within the company and the optimization team.
Reporting to the VP of Asset and Energy Management, supporting him in the report at executive level and external key stakeholders.
Management of complex projects (quality, schedule, and costs) and budgets (Opex/Capex).