Position Description

Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation's largest municipally owned utilities regarding the number of customers served. Over the years, we have worked hard to keep Seattle's electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound. City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.

We are critical in delivering more than just power throughout our service territory. Our initiatives are centered on equity and focus on injecting capital and services into our communities. We understand that people are our most valuable resource, and we invest in our team members. We are a learning organization that wants to work with innovative, life-long learners who want to rethink processes, programs, and problems.

Job Purpose

This senior executive-level position serves on the Executive Leadership team and reports directly to the General Manager/CEO. This role has primary responsibility for providing strategic leadership and operational oversight of enterprise information management, information technology policy and governance, data strategy and architecture, cyber-security, development of critical sources of business intelligence (BI), project management approach, overall information technology organization, and the management of the design, implementation, and maintenance of the Utility's portfolio of operational, information, and convergent technology assets.

This position provides long-range technology direction, strategies, and architecture, identifying short—and long-term system needs and directing the delivery of technology projects while ensuring a highly available, cyber-secure, and resilient computing environment. This enables the organization to provide our customers with affordable, reliable, and environmentally responsible energy services. In collaboration with the Seattle Information Technology Department and business units within the enterprise, this position supports and helps ensure infrastructure and applications' security, availability, and reliability while responding to a rapidly changing technology environment.

Our Ideal Candidate

Seattle City Light operates at the exciting and dynamic intersection of power generation, distribution, and public service. Energy market transformation, an ever-evolving workforce, and our changing climate demand flexible, innovative, and visionary leaders who can "roll up their sleeves" while mentoring and coaching future leaders. We are passionate about delivering equitable, innovative services to our customers and creating a "best in class" experience for our employees. Our ideal candidate will be an "all utility" player who is curious, collaborative, and ready to help us build the Utility of the future.

The successful candidate will display well-developed transformational, servant leadership qualities and possess substantial technology management and leadership experience in the utility industry or related areas of responsibility typically gained through 15 or more years of progressively responsible assignments, at least 10 of which were as a leader in a large, complex, and diverse organization.

Job Responsibilities

Essential Functions And Duties

As a key member of the executive leadership team, recommend and participate in the formulation and adoption of Utility-wide goals and objectives, strategic plans, processes, and policies.
Set the vision and strategy for maintaining the Utility's enterprise-wide architecture, infrastructure, and cyber security standards, and align technical design and software acquisition decisions with the right expertise to meet business plans and achieve the vision.
Provide strategic direction and oversight of the information technology division and deliver standardized project management methodologies, new system implementations, and enhancements that result in the Utility's most optimal technology solutions.
Works closely with the City of Seattle's Information Technology and Cyber Security staff to implement infrastructure and processes that secure Utility technology systems. Collaborates on the development and implementation of an enterprise risk-based cyber security program that ensures prioritized and appropriate levels of protection for enterprise systems.
Support the development of employees that improves performance, creates, and maintains a work environment that cultivates talent, and ensures the continuity of leadership for the organization.
Represent the Utility in national, regional, and local forums and associations.
Establish and nurture highly effective relationships with employees, customers, and stakeholders that support and advance business goals. Work to remove barriers that hamper inter- and intra-department communications.
Oversee and direct union-management relationships to negotiate mutually acceptable solutions to accomplish goals.
Strive to improve the Utility to deliver best-in-class customer service and fulfill our mission.

Qualifications

City Light Executive Officers are expected to possess the following attributes:

Leadership Skills: Able to inspire and motivate employees, build an effective bench of future leaders, adapt, and make tough decisions when necessary.
Industry Knowledge: A deep understanding of the utility industry, including regulatory requirements, market trends, and emerging technologies.
Financial Acumen: The ability to manage budgets, analyze financial statements, and make sound financial decisions that center the organization's health and showcase ethical stewardship of ratepayer funds.
Equity and Inclusion: Deeply committed to systematic diversity, equity, inclusion, and the dismantling of institutional racism.
Customer Service: Advocate for the needs and best interests of customers, ratepayers, and others impacted by the service, generation, and distribution of our power supply.
Communication Skills: Effective communicator, articulating the company's vision and strategy to employees, investors, and other stakeholders.
Strategic Thinking: Able to develop and execute long-term plans that ensure the organization's success.
Technology Acumen: Possess a holistic understanding of how technology impacts our work. Able to assess and recommend enterprise-wide technology solutions.

Competitive candidates will also possess most/all of the following desired qualifications:

Have a bachelor's and/or master's degree in information technology, information systems, computer science, computer technology, management information systems (MIS), business administration, public administration, management, or a related field.
10+ years of Executive level leadership experience in a Technology environment.
Understand and have experience navigating the complexities at the intersection of utility regulations and municipal functions, rules, and structures.
Be motivated by the opportunity to influence the development of future utility leaders.
Have demonstrable experience leading multi-unit teams through significant change.
Advanced experience gaining multi-level stakeholder buy-in.
Experience establishing psychological safety within teams and galvanizing groups around a shared vision.

Additional Information

Total compensation and relocation packages are competitive and depend upon qualifications and experience. The full salary range for this position is $226,076.76 to $361,704.24 annually.

Application Process

A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement.

A current resume of your educational and professional work experience. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle City Light values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle City Light encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17 and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3. A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

Want to know more about Seattle City Light? Check out our web page: https://www.seattle.gov/city-light/about-us/careers.

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