The Principal Management Analyst (Research and Innovation Lead) serves a forward-facing, strategic role focused on advancing EBMUD’s (District’s) capacity for research, innovation, and continuous improvement. Leading cross-departmental collaboration with analytical rigor, this position acts as an internal resource, supporting initiatives that improve and enhance efficiency, effectiveness, equity, sustainability, and service delivery. The Research and Innovation Lead reports to the Manager of Budget and leads complex organizational, operational, and policy analyses. The role includes project coordination, facilitation of research and innovation activities and practices, and reports to the Senior Management Team and the Board. In partnership with departments across the District, this position also scopes, evaluates, and implements strategic initiatives – aligned with EBMUD’s strategic plan, climate adaptation efforts, and performance management goals.
Responsibilities
The Principal Management Analyst (Research and Innovation Lead) supports EBMUD as an internal consultant, advisor, and catalyst for creative problem-solving. Responsibilities in this role include:
•Leads cross-departmental projects to improve efficiency, effectiveness, equity, and strategic alignment.
•Partners with teams across the District to assess needs, analyze data, and implement innovative solutions and research activities.
•Partners with entities outside of the District on research activities and find and socialize innovative products or services to meet identified needs.
•Develops and leads workshops, training, and resources to build capacity in innovation tools and methodologies.
•Coordinates research efforts at the District.
•Enhances data-informed decision-making and systems thinking across the organization.
•Embeds innovation through process and policy integration, internal communications, and learning systems.
•Serves as a trusted advisor to senior management, surfacing and evaluating emerging opportunities.
•Connects with and leads work with external partners, fostering collaborative relationships that drive research and innovation and enhance the District’s strategic objectives.
•Tracks, reports, and highlights innovation and research initiatives, including outcomes, KPIs, and lessons learned, in regular communications and presentations to a wide range of audiences.
Skills
The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, an excellent communicator, and a motivated self-starter who thrives in dynamic environments, ideally in the public sector. They have the confidence to lead across functions, the discipline to follow through on complex initiatives, and the interpersonal skills to engage teams at all levels. Specifically, the ideal candidate:
•Brings direct experience supporting research and innovation efforts, ideally within public water or wastewater utilities, either from within an organization or as a consultant working frequently with utilities and brings a deep appreciation for the balance between innovation, compliance, and public accountability.
•Has successfully led cross-functional projects requiring structured change management, including identifying key risks, building trust, and phasing implementation to support lasting adoption.
•Is an engaging and persuasive communicator, with experience tailoring presentations to diverse audiences, including frontline staff, senior executives, and governing boards.
•Thrives in high-expectation environments with multiple priorities, tight timelines, and visible accountability, and knows how to manage up and across to keep momentum.
•Builds enthusiasm for innovation and improvement, translating complex ideas into inspiring goals and motivating others to contribute to change efforts.
•Demonstrates independent project management skills, including defining scope, coordinating stakeholders, managing deliverables, and adjusting plans as conditions evolve.
•Is flexible and resilient in the face of ambiguity, able to pivot quickly between strategic thinking and hands-on implementation while maintaining forward progress.
•Understands the nuances of working in multidisciplinary settings, including experience collaborating with engineers, operations staff, finance teams, and policy makers.
•Uses data and evidence to support decision-making, with comfort in framing performance metrics, drawing insights from both quantitative and qualitative sources, and refining approaches based on feedback.
•Has a bachelor’s degree or post-graduate degree that reflects a background in research, science, engineering, finance, management, or other related fields.
•Is committed to EBMUD’s values (Stewardship, Teamwork, Integrity, and Respect) and to supporting sustainability, equity, transparency, and excellent public service.
The annual salary is $147,672 up to $223,980. Initial placement within the range is based upon qualifications. Appointment is typically made at or below the control point ($191,976 per year). Note: Annual salary includes 3.7% cost of living increase, pending Board approval.
EBMUD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital or registered domestic partnership status, age for individuals over forty years of age, national origin, ancestry, disability (mental or physical, including AIDS and HIV), medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, sexual orientation, military and veterans status, family or medical leave status, pregnancy, pregnancy disability leave status, or any other status protected by federal, state and/or local laws.
full time
$147,672-$223,980Oakland, CA15 days ago
