Process Excellence Program Manager

Puget Sound Energy is looking to grow our community with top talented individuals like you! With our rapidly growing, award winning energy efficiency programs, our pathway to an exciting and innovative future is now.

PSE's Transformation & Strategy Enablement team is looking for qualified candidates to fill an open Process Excellence Program Manager position!

Specific details regarding the work arrangements for this position will be discussed in further detail during the interview process.

Job Description

Leverages subject matter expertise and project and program management experience to drive a program of process improvements and/or initiatives aimed at improving organizational performance and achieving organizational strategic, tactical, and operational department goals.

Implements process improvement programs that deliver sustainable results across the enterprise. Uses Lean principles for developing and delivering a program of continuous improvement process initiatives. Collaborates with partner teams to drive efficiency efforts that align with strategic objectives, cultivate best practices, optimize processes, and stimulate innovation. Delivers Lean process engagements that empower effective business operations.

Upholds the safety compliance standards inherent in PSE’s operating and/or field procedures related to work responsibilities. Promotes and supports a culture of total safety.

Demonstrates commitment to conduct business honestly, ethically and consistent with our core values and Code of Conduct. Ensures duties are performed in accordance with all regulatory compliance obligations.

Job Responsibilities

- Manages interrelated, long-term projects and strategic initiatives to ensure alignment with PSE objectives and drive timely delivery.

- Develops long-term program roadmaps and leads the planning, execution and completion of projects within the program to ensure goals are met.

- Engages with stakeholders, evaluates business problems, and conducts root-cause analyses to identify appropriate solutions.

- Monitors process project performance and integration of process changes.

- Oversees project teams to ensure goals are met.

- Formulates, organizes, and monitors the program’s interconnected projects.

- Drafts project charters, defines what project success looks like, develops data, and measures the project impact on business performance with the aim to maximize financial benefit.

- Drives project activities from start to finish (e.g., planning, cost tracking, scheduling).

- Efficiently manages multiple department process improvement initiatives concurrently.

- Develops and leads diverse interdepartmental and cross-functional project teams to drive an innovative approach.

- Cultivates and maintains highly collaborative relationships with key stakeholders to ensure alignment and support for initiatives.

- Generates a strong understanding of the business needs driving the process program/project/initiative.

- Partners with organizational change management early and often throughout the life cycle of the programs under their leadership.

- Establishes solutions to program needs.

- Coordinates cross-project activities to guide efficiency among multiple processes.

- Applies change management, risk management, and resource management practices.

- Assists in reviewing strategic initiatives and developing new initiatives.

- Develops and manages activities, deadlines, and vendor/contractor budgets.

- Works with procurement to acquire services and solutions needed to deliver projects.

- Manages documentation (e.g., process job aids, procedures, and process flows) that serve as the definitive source of information about a process, keeping teams aligned and informed.

- Trains, mentors, coaches and challenges leaders, project sponsors/champions, project team members and all employees in the use of various process improvement techniques to raise awareness and desire of effective continuous improvement execution throughout the organization.

- Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g.; program management, process improvement, project management, construction management) or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.

- Black belt Certification in Lean/Six Sigma or other process improvement methodologies or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.

- At least eight (8) years relevant process improvement, project management, or program management experience.

- Experience partnering with and presenting to business leaders.

- Construction or utility experience.

- Experience developing and delivering programs.

- Ability to drive progress and consensus in a multidisciplinary project team to identify, define, and deliver solutions that meet project goals.

- Extensive experience in project and team management techniques to bring about agreement between divergent points of view, applied in a construction or utility setting.

- Strong organization and project team facilitation skills.

- Ability to maintain a positive customer-oriented, team-oriented, and collaborative attitude.

- Experience developing and leading teams of subject matter experts and leaders with diverse skills and backgrounds.

- Strong analytical, problem-solving, negotiation, and time management skills.

- Demonstrated record of accomplishment meeting objectives despite obstacles and setbacks.

- Excellent listening, communication, and presentation skills and techniques, with an ability to clearly and concisely express complex technical concepts in business terms.

- Experience using a variety of business applications and analysis tools such as Visio, Power Point, Excel, Word, MS Teams, SharePoint, SAP Business Warehouse, and SAP modules.

Desired Qualifications

- Certification in program management.

- Advanced project management or construction management certification from an accredited institution (e.g., PMI or accredited college/university).

- Electric or gas utility construction experience.

- Familiarity with reporting and data analysis systems and platforms (e.g., Power BI, etc.).

- Organization change management experience.

- Proven ability to monitor, evaluate, and report on a program’s effectiveness, success, and ROI.

- Knowledge of utility methods, techniques, and procedures associated with budgeting, procurement, and contract administration.

- Supervisory and/or leadership experience.

Additional Information

At PSE we value and respect our employees and provide them opportunities to excel. We offer a competitive compensation and rewards package.

The pay range for this position is $104,500.00 - $174,100.00, and this position is eligible for annual goals based incentive bonuses.

PSE offers a suite of benefits to our employees. Employees are eligible for medical, dental, vision, basic life, and short- and long-term disability insurance. There are additional voluntary options of supplemental life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent daycare, and an Employee assistance program (EAP). For long term savings, PSE offers a 401(k) investment option and a cash balance retirement plan. Employees will also receive Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays throughout the calendar year. Detailed benefit overviews can be found on our Career page - Why Work For Us (pse.com).

Families and businesses depend on PSE to provide the energy they need to pursue their dreams. Our steadfast commitment to serving Washington communities with safe, dependable and efficient energy started in 1873. Today we're building the Northwest's energy future through efforts like our award winning energy efficiency programs and our leadership in renewable energy.

Puget Sound Energy is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status or presence of a disability that with or without reasonable accommodation does not prevent performance of the essential functions of the job, or any other category prohibited by local, state or federal law.

Should you have a disability that requires assistance and/or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources Staffing department at jobs@pse.com or 425-462-3017.