Enterprise Applications Manager

Non-Union Position

Applications Support Group 2; Portland, Oregon (US-OR)

Hybrid schedule available for Oregon & Washington residents.

Regular FT

Posting # 5386

About Us:

At NW Natural, we offer more than rewarding career opportunities and a vibrant, inclusive work culture. We invite you to join us in providing safe and reliable utility services and renewable energy to better the lives of the communities we serve. Our vision is to be the leader in service excellence, innovation and environmental stewardship for our customers, while building on our strengths as a trusted energy provider and environmental leader for our industry.

In addition to environmental stewardship, we’re also deeply committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at NW Natural. Our DEI Council started 21 years ago, and today we continue to foster a culture where all employees can experience a sense of belonging, shared purpose and possibility.

The Role:

The Operations Manager will lead the Enterprise Applications team supporting Engineering and Operations. This role is responsible for managing the people, processes, and technology supporting enterprise work management, geospatial, and engineering solutions. The Operations Manager will ensure that critical applications are stable, scalable, secure, and aligned with business needs while driving continuous improvement and enabling innovation.

Day to Day:

- Team Leadership & Management

- Manage, mentor, and develop a team of application analysts, developers, and support specialists.

- Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture with an emphasis on accountability, growth, and customer focus.

- Oversee resource planning, workload distribution, and staff development.

- Application & Operations Management

- Own the lifecycle of enterprise applications supporting work management, geospatial, and engineering functions.

- Ensure application reliability, performance, and compliance with IT standards.

- Partner with vendors, consultants, and internal stakeholders to optimize and evolve systems.

- Strategy & Planning

- Collaborate with IT leadership and business stakeholders to develop the roadmap for enterprise applications within Engineering and Operations.

- Identify opportunities for process improvement and system enhancements.

- Drive adoption of best practices, governance, and standards in application management.

- Stakeholder Engagement

- Act as the primary liaison between IT and business partners in Engineering and Operations.

- Understand business requirements and translate them into technical solutions.

- Ensure alignment of application capabilities with organizational goals and regulatory requirements.

- Financial & Vendor Management

- Manage budgets, forecasts, and cost optimization for assigned applications and services.

- Negotiate and manage vendor contracts, service level agreements (SLAs), and license renewals.

Come on your first day with:

- Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).

- 7+ years of IT experience, with at least 3 years in an application management or operations leadership role.

- Demonstrated experience managing enterprise applications in Engineering, Geospatial (GIS), or Work Management domains.

- Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

- Proven track record of delivering stable, secure, and scalable IT solutions.

- Preferred Qualifications

- Experience with enterprise GIS platforms (e.g., Esri ArcGIS).

- Familiarity with Work Management systems (e.g., SAP, Maximo, or similar).

- Experience in utilities.

- ITIL certification or practical knowledge of ITIL processes.

- Strong vendor management and contract negotiation skills.

- Key Competencies

- Leadership & Team Development

- Business Acumen

- Strategic Planning

- Problem-Solving & Decision-Making

- Communication & Collaboration

- Change Management

What we offer:

Health & Wellness –

- Rich health insurance benefits with competitive employer contribution

- Free access to an online wellness resources platform

Work Life Balance -

- Up to 23 Vacation Days

- 80 Hours of Sick Time

- 10 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays

- Flexible work arrangements

- 3 weeks paid parental leave

- Green Team / Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council / Safety Team / Women’s Network and many other Employee Resource Groups

- 1500 sq foot exercise facility and secure bike room

Financial -

- Meaningful annual incentive bonus opportunity in addition to base salary

- Competitive 401K company contribution and match

- 15% discount on NW Natural stock through Employee Stock Purchase Program

- Up to $5250 a year in tuition reimbursement

- Wellness incentive program

Discounts -

- 20% off natural gas service

- Up to 30% discount at NW Natural Appliance Center

- TriMet Pass for all HQ employees

- Generous discounts with Verizon & AT&T Wireless

Base salary range:$132,250.00 - $195,600.00 per year, depending on qualifications

Annual Target Incentive: 15%

Targets are calculated using eligible earnings during plan year participation. Payout, if earned, is based on company and individual performance for each plan year and may range from 0% – 200% of target. Targets are subject to change in subsequent plan years. Must be employed by September 30 in order to receive any prorated payout.

https://www.nwnatural.com/about-us/the-company/careers

Deadline: 9/30/25

Disclosure: We are a drug free workplace and we comply with Federal Drug Free Workplace Act and Department of Transportation regulations.

All applications must be submitted through NW Natural’s Electronic Application System. Resumes submitted via email, fax or mail will not be accepted in lieu of an electronic application.

NW Natural is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and embrace our candidates’ diversity and take affirmative action to employ and advance individuals without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, marital status, genetic information, and all other legally protected characteristics. We forbid discrimination and harassment in the workplace based on any protected status or characteristic. A criminal history is not an automatic bar to employment with NW Natural. Instead, we make individualized assessments regarding qualifications and backgrounds. NW Natural is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation as part of the application process, please contact us at employment@nwnatural.com or (971) 979-6341.

NW Natural does not accept unsolicited submissions or assistance from search firms for posted positions. Resumes submitted by search firms working under a valid and current written contract with NW Natural valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from NW Natural HR/Employment will be deemed the sole property of NW Natural. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by NW Natural as a result of the referral or through other means.