The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team and provide the day-to-day leadership, management and strategic implementation to achieve EnergyUnited’s vision of transitioning to a best-in-class Energy Services Cooperative. This individual will have direct oversight and responsibility for creating and driving engagement across the organization in alignment with the strategic plan along with partnering with the rest of the senior leadership team to identify and develop growth opportunities, improve member value, enhance operations, and maintain superior safety and reliability performance to catapult EnergyUnited to the forefront of the electric industry. Additionally, this individual will be one that can help shape and drive a strategic roadmap that ensures the Company has the proper growth goals, operational controls, administrative and reporting procedures, and the people and systems in place to effectively achieve the strategic direction of the cooperative.  This position will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

This individual will look across the enterprise internally to identify areas of improvement and value while looking externally to disruptive industry trends and chances to revolutionize product offerings, technological capabilities, and customer-centric service models. Additionally, this executive must work with key internal and external stakeholders to develop and implement both long-term and near-term strategy in line with the Cooperative’s historic commitment to reliability and member care. This executive will communicate frequently with direct reports to ensure optimum standards of quality, uniformity, and overall performance standards are maintained and stay abreast of business needs and strategic direction. As well as develop and track group activities, performance metrics, communications programs, and new procedures.

Key Accountabilities & Duties: 

• Works closely with the CEO and Executive team to develop a strategic roadmap for the organization and lead others by example to achieve goal targets.
• Collaborates with the management team to achieve operational objectives.
• Spearheads the development, communication, and implementation of effective growth & sales strategies.
• Plans, organizes, develops and implements programs in the areas of Energy Services, Energy Delivery and Information Technology for sustained performance in business transformation including engineering and system electrical capabilities, reliability, safety operations and maintenance, sales and marketing, customer operations, billing and analytics and infrastructure and cyber security and applications systems. 
• Provide timely, accurate and complete reports on the Company’s operating condition.
• Develop policies, procedures and improvement processes, as needed.
• Plans, develops and implements sound programs, budgets and practices in the Customer Care, Billing and Communications Departments for the Electric operations.
• Motivate, oversee, and lead a team of VP’s, directors, managers, supervisors, leads and employees.
• Foster teamwork, collaboration, and a success-oriented, accountable environment within the cooperative.
• Evaluate performance by analyzing, interpreting and setting data and metrics.
• Develop and maintain capital finance programs, auditing and internal control programs, compliance and risk management programs.
• Identify, develop and prepare for implementation and business relations with the corporations' largest customers that will enhance the profitability of both organizations.
• Develop and coordinate the Cooperatives planning process to maintain a sustainable corporate strategic plan across the whole enterprise.
• Shape cooperative strategy with respect to advanced research, energy policy, business intelligence and technology.

The Chief Operating Officer will be an experienced senior executive with a proven track record of success in a leadership role within the utilities or energy industries or as a consultant to a relevant industry. With an intuitive business acumen, the selected candidate will possess a high level of personal integrity and ethical standards with the leadership traits necessary to motivate the organization and to earn the support necessary for achieving strategic initiatives.

Furthermore, the candidate must command high technical expertise, deep industry knowledge and a demonstrated commitment to developing forward-thinking strategy across the entire enterprise in a rapidly-changing marketplace. In addition, the successful candidate will possess:

• A trust-based leadership style with high ethical standards and spotless professional conduct, possessing the competence, judgment, and personal commitment that is expected at EU.
• Deeply experienced in the energy, power, and utilities industry as well as a demonstrated track record of staying on the cutting-edge of new developments and technology.
• Strategic consulting skills that move beyond adherence to specific analytical tools and methodologies; the ability to “think outside the box” to generate alternative solutions for consideration and provide comprehensive risk/benefit analysis on those alternatives.
• A high level of commitment to organizational success with the capacity to provide creative ideas and problem-solving skills to assess and pursue intelligent risks and to continually drive growth and expand profit margins.
• Strategic foresight, good judgment, and an operational mindset enabling proactive persistence to resolve short-term issues while also balancing long-term objectives.
• The proven ability to influence, drive and lead change and to effectively promote the mission and strategic initiatives while building consensus across the business. A thorough comfort with leading and inspiring others in addition to motivating effective teams.
• A track record of fostering trusting relationships with key stakeholders at all levels within an organization.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills necessary for interactions with internal and external parties at all levels.
• Personal presence and confidence in interacting with the media, community members, industry influencers, and local leadership.
• Extensive knowledge of the technical aspects of the electric utility industry including vertically integrated functions and the investment/cost models associated with operating a utility and adopting new technology.

• EDUCATION – A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, finance, marketing, engineering, information management or a related field is required for this position; a graduate degree in business administration or related field is desired with a strong preference towards an MBA.

  EXPERIENCE – Experience as a COO or commensurate level of experience/leadership required.  Demonstrated success in strategic planning and business development.  At least fifteen (15) years’ experience in a senior management role is required.  At least 10 years of strong operational leadership experience and change management. Fifteen (15) years’ experience in the energy field is required. Experience in organizational and administration management in an energy utility is highly desirable. Experience in a team-based environment highly desirable. Working knowledge of data analysis and performance/operation metrics. Outstanding organizational and leadership skills as well as change management. Excellent interpersonal and public speaking skills.  Aptitude in decision-making and problem-solving.  Demonstrated ability to develop and lead a business and promote a favorable image of the cooperative with the general public.