Program Manager Utility Operations

Program Manager (Utility Operations)Location: San Francisco Bay Area (U.S.) Primarily remote with occasional travel for stakeholder meetings, Hybrid cadence for key workshops and program milestones. Employment Type: Full-Time, ExemptAbout Celerity: Celerity is an agile risk optimization company that empowers public utility organizations by converting complex data into clear, actionable intelligence to mitigate risk, optimize assets, and maximize project results. We partner with utilities across the United States to solve complex operational, data, and compliance challenges through a combination of deep industry expertise, advanced analytics, and practical execution. Our teams operate at the intersection of engineering, GIS, data, and program management to drive measurable, field-impacting results.Position Overview: The Program Manager will lead high-impact operational transformation initiatives across utility programs, with a strong emphasis on GIS, mapping, and asset data workflows. This role is responsible for evaluating current-state processes, designing scalable future-state operating models, and driving measurable improvements in efficiency, quality, and execution consistency. The Program Manager will work across multiple functional areas including operations, GIS strategy, quality, and program leadership to align process improvements with broader Asset Knowledge Management (AKM) and system-wide objectives. This is a highly visible role requiring strong leadership, structured problem-solving, and the ability to influence stakeholders across all levels of the organization.Key ResponsibilitiesLead end-to-end process improvement initiatives across utility operations, GIS, and asset data workflowsDevelop detailed current-state and future-state process maps across key functional areas (e.g., mapping workflows, data validation, field-to-system integration)Identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and failure points within existing processesDesign and implement Lean-based solutions to improve efficiency, throughput, and data qualityEstablish standardized workflows, documentation, and governance frameworksServe as a program lead for process improvement initiatives, coordinating across multiple workstreams and stakeholdersDrive alignment across operations, GIS, quality, and executive leadership teamsFacilitate working sessions, workshops, and decision-making forums to advance process changesTranslate business objectives into structured execution plans with clear milestones and deliverablesEnsure successful adoption of new processes through stakeholder engagement and change managementDefine and track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to process efficiency, quality, and deliveryDeliver measurable improvements in operational performance, including cycle time reduction and increased throughputEstablish monitoring frameworks and dashboards to track ongoing process performanceSupport continuous improvement initiatives aligned with PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) methodologiesIntegrate lessons learned into ongoing process refinement and program evolutionPartner with GIS, data, quality, and engineering teams to ensure process alignment across systems and workflowsCoordinate with program and portfolio leadership to ensure consistency across parallel initiativesSupport integration of process improvements into broader program structures, including quality review and corrective action programsAlign process changes with regulatory, compliance, and audit requirements as neededDevelop and maintain process documentation, including workflows, SOPs, and governance artifactsDefine roles and responsibilities (RACI frameworks) across process areasSupport the establishment of a "gold standard" process architecture for utility programsEnsure documentation is accessible, standardized, and aligned with program needsRequired QualificationsBachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, GIS, or related field5–10+ years of experience in process improvement, consulting, or utility operationsProven experience leading complex, cross-functional transformation initiativesExperience working within regulated utility environments strongly preferredSkills & CompetenciesLean Six Sigma certification (Black Belt or Green Belt strongly preferred)Strong process mapping and workflow design experience (e.g., Visio, BPMN)Demonstrated ability to identify inefficiencies and implement scalable solutionsExperience working with GIS, asset data, or utility operational workflows preferredStrong analytical and structured problem-solving skillsExcellent facilitation, stakeholder management, and executive communication abilitiesAbility to influence without authority in matrixed organizationsWork EnvironmentPrimarily remote with occasional travel for stakeholder meetingsHybrid cadence for key workshops and program milestonesSalary: $130,000 - $160,000.00 DOEThe salary range for this position is provided in good faith and is subject to variation based on geographic location, candidate experience, and market conditions. Final compensation will be determined after a comprehensive evaluation of the candidate's qualifications and alignment with the role.In accordance with applicable pay transparency laws—including but not limited to those in California, Colorado, New York, Washington, and other jurisdictions—we disclose salary ranges to promote equity and transparency. Where required by law, compensation and benefits information will be included in job postings or made available upon request.This job description outlines the primary responsibilities and standards of the position but is not exhaustive. Employees may be asked to perform additional duties that are reasonably related to their role and consistent with company policies and applicable labor laws.Employee welfare and development is important to us, and we sponsor many activities outside of work to promote team building as well as sponsor formal training and certification. We are proud to offer a comprehensive health and welfare benefit package that includes:Medical InsuranceDental InsuranceVision InsuranceDisability Insurance (STD/LTD)Flexible Spending AccountHealth Savings AccountBasic Life/AD&D401(k) planPaid Time OffCompany HolidaysLeave of AbsenceRemote work and Flexible Work Schedules (for qualified positions)Employee Referral ProgramProfessional DevelopmentCharitable Contribution MatchBased in Walnut Creek, CA with offices nationwide, Celerity energy engineers perform a critical, leadership role as strategic liaisons between data, assets and the teams that make projects happen in the field.