Distribution System Planning Project Manager

This is an exciting time to join Portland General Electric. As Oregon’s largest electric utility, Portland General Electric is leading an energy transformation that will harness the power of clean and renewable resources. Our vision for a clean energy future relies on three interrelated and overarching strategies: de-carbonize through investing in clean and reliable energy; modernize through a smarter more resilient grid; and empower our customers in their energy technology choices. We’re searching for innovative, customer and results-obsessed leaders to help power our mission and lead the way in championing the world’s clean energy future! The Distribution System Planning (DSP) team establishes a comprehensive and transparent framework for distribution system planning. This team accelerates DER adoption, advances environmental justice, and maximizes grid benefits by investing in the grid and developing company-specific tools and analysis that furthers the company’s commitment to decarbonizing, electrifying, and preforming. Summary The Distribution System Planning (DSP) Project Manager role is critical to informing and executing PGE’s DSP and energy equity strategy. The position will support the Distributed Resource Planning (DRP) Team by working cross-functionally to support and manage complex projects and initiatives (e.g., integrated resource planning (IRP), load forecasting, distributed system planning (DSP), and program/product planning).

This role will support the preparation and implementation of PGE’s key planning process:

• Distribution System Plan (DSP),
• Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and
• Clean Energy Plan (CEP).

This position requires specialized depth and/or breadth of expertise in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as well as community-based advocacy, outreach and engagement. This position will interpret internal and external business issues and use best practices, solves complex problems and takes a broad perspective to identify innovative solutions, work independently, with guidance in only the most complex situations, and may lead functional teams or projects. Additionally, this role will plan, monitor and manage reports and projects from initiation through completion, secure required resources, develop formal processes, identify risks, ensure transparent data and tools, complete deliverables on-time, and manage project budgets, where applicable. Responsibilities

• Project Consultation and Planning Responsible for leading a single major project or multiple moderate projects. Types include, but are not limited to, business systems or process improvement, department reorganizations and strategy implementation, training, feasibility studies and pilots.
  • Consults with operations managers to ensure strategic alignment, cost effectiveness and mitigation of negative operational and/or customer impacts of business initiatives and projects; works with project sponsor to develop objectives and scope; assists in or develops business case/justification.
  • Develops or oversees development of project plan(s) including WBS, schedule and cost baselines, dependencies and project roles and resource requirements; identifies project risks and mitigation strategies; partners and strategizes with Supply Chain, Legal, IT and project sponsor on vendor contract negotiations.
• Team Leadership Leads multiple major projects/initiatives in completing strategic projects. Provides staff leadership to team members; facilitates team meetings, cultivates and reinforces group values, norms and behaviors; provides guidance and motivation to team on performance and productivity issues; ensures compliance with established project management methodologies and standards; takes corrective action as needed.
• Project Controls Establishes and maintains formal controls to manage and monitor project budget, scope, quality, schedule and risks to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget and effectively. Negotiates necessary project changes with project sponsor. Maintains, adjusts and updates project plans as needed.
• Stakeholder Engagement Develops communication plans and strategies; provides timely, accurate communication of project plans and status to stakeholders.
• Process Improvement Leads and/or facilitates business process improvement (BPI) activities; assists managers and subject matter experts to identify, understand and improve or revise processes, practices and policies; assists managers in establishing process controls in order to measure baseline and post-improvement performance to monitor success of improvement initiatives.
  • Acts as a change agent, systematically driving continuous improvement using lean, Six Sigma and other continuous improvement techniques.
• Project Reporting and Documentation Ensures all project documents are catalogued and archived in a secure and efficient manner; documents and files all “lessons learned” along with all project artifacts.
• Internal Collaboration Develops and maintains key relationships across the business, including with senior executives; provides subject matter expertise for project management and/or process improvement. Collaborates with, mentors and/or assists in training other PMs or leads to continually improve project standards and methodology.
• External Relationships Actively partners and participates with other utilities to strengthen and create opportunities to share best practices.

Qualifications Required:

• Education Requires a bachelor’s degree in business, communications, psychology or computer science or other related field or equivalent experience.
• Experience Typically eight or more years in project management or a related field.
• Certifications, Licenses and Training PMP certification required
• Valid Drivers License

Preferred: For this role, the ideal candidate will have experience in distribution system planning project management as well as experience providing in-house support to ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations and company procedures and policies related to distribution system planning. The ideal candidate will also have experience conducting distribution and clean energy data and technical analysis to inform strategy and planning and communicate results. Lastly, the ideal candidate will develop, implement and administer human-centered planning processes designed to increase the effectiveness of the organization and creating, managing and cultivating the employer-employee and community relationships.

• Advanced knowledge of project management science, methodologies and standards.
• Advanced knowledge of and skill in using software applications such as MS Project, PowerPoint, Word, Excel spreadsheet and graphing, Access and Visio, Maximo and Power Plant.
• Advanced knowledge of PGE email system.
• Advanced knowledge of distribution system planning concepts and principles.
• Advanced knowledge of group problem-solving methods and techniques including problem analysis, nominal group and brainstorming techniques and consensus building.
• Advanced listening skills, including the ability to draw information out and to see things from another’s perspective.
• Advanced skills in writing technical.
• Advanced communication skills, both written and oral and presentation skills.

#LI-SB1 #LI-Hybrid Join us today and power your potential!
To be considered for this position, please complete the following employment application by the posting close date. A cover letter may be needed with your application to be considered for this position. PGE believes in rewarding strong performance. We provide a total compensation package that is designed to reward your contributions to the company, and, at the same time, support your well-being and professional development, both now and into the future. PGE is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. PGE will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. Assisting with storms or other Company emergencies is a part of all positions at Portland General Electric.
Talent Acquisition Contact:
Staffing@pgn.com The posting closes at midnight (Pacific Time) on the closing date below: April 18, 2022