Associate/Director of Operations

Associate/Director of Operations

Cooperative Energy Incorporated (CEI) is seeking an Associate/Director of Operations to lead CEI's generation scheduling and operational analysis functions. This leadership role is responsible for overseeing 24/7 power scheduling activities, supporting reliable and cost-effective dispatch decisions, strengthening operational reporting, and helping ensure compliance with applicable market, regulatory, and Family of Companies (FOC) requirements.

The successful candidate will provide day-to-day leadership to the scheduling desk, support market and operational decision-making, identify opportunities to improve dispatch performance, and work collaboratively with CEI staff, Member representatives, Georgia System Operations Corporation (GSOC), vendors, and other energy industry participants.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead, support, and provide operational guidance to the Power Scheduling team responsible for 24/7 scheduling desk activities.
• Develop and implement annual scheduling desk work schedules.
• Train new scheduling desk employees and support the continuing development and professional growth of the scheduling team.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for scheduling desk operations questions, issues, and process improvements.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide constructive coaching and feedback to direct reports.
• Support recurring sprint, planning, and coordination meetings related to scheduling desk tools, processes, and improvements.

Operations Information, Compliance, and Coordination:

• Maintain and expand knowledge of CEI operations processes, power plant operations, outage schedules, generation projections, and related operational requirements.
• Understand, apply, and support compliance with applicable FOC policies, procedures, communications, and documentation.
• Serve as a key resource for questions related to the GSOC Member Scheduling Policy and Procedures (MSPP) document and other relevant FOC communications.
• Stay current on applicable FERC requirements, transmission tariff matters, market rules, and other issues affecting scheduling and dispatch activities.
• Collaborate with CEI staff, Member staff, FOC personnel, operations teams, vendors, and industry participants to support reliable and efficient operations.

Operations Reporting, Dispatch Analysis, and System Optimization:

• Generate daily, weekly, and long-term reports evaluating Commercial Operations performance, dispatch results, and cost impacts.
• Review operational performance from load forecast through after-the-fact processes to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Assist in developing week-ahead operational outlooks and dispatch plans.
• Identify suboptimal dispatch outcomes, root causes, and learning opportunities to improve future performance.
• Contribute to the design, testing, and improvement of reporting tools and dispatch models that support reliable, least-cost fulfillment of Member load obligations.
• Create and maintain ad hoc reports and analyses requested by the management team.
• Partner with technical and development resources to identify system enhancements and implement process improvements.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong understanding of wholesale power operations, generation scheduling, dispatch analysis, and utility operations.
• Ability to analyze operational performance objectively and develop clear reporting focused on economic and reliable dispatch.
• Working knowledge of power plant operations, outage planning, generation forecasts, and operational constraints.
• Familiarity with FOC, GSOC, FERC, transmission tariff, and related electric utility operating requirements preferred.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, including Excel, Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint; experience with SQL and operational reporting tools preferred.
• Ability to learn and apply new software, systems, and process improvement tools.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, written, and business communication skills.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities in a time-sensitive operational environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, coach employees, and work collaboratively across departments and external stakeholders.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, energy services, information technology, business administration, or a related field required.
• Master's degree in a related field preferred.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive experience in wholesale power operations, utility operations, generation scheduling, energy markets, or an energy-related analytical role required.
• Prior supervisory or team leadership experience preferred.

Work Environment and Expectations:

• Must be able to work effectively in a collaborative, utility-focused environment with internal staff, Member representatives, FOC personnel, and external market participants.
• Must be available to support operational needs that may arise outside of normal business hours due to the 24/7 nature of power scheduling and dispatch activities.
• Must maintain confidentiality and professionalism when working with operational, market, financial, and personnel-related information.

Benefits

• Competitive pay negotiable based upon experience
• Medical, dental, vision & prescription drug coverage
• Health Savings Account
• Life insurance & disability
• 401K with company match
• Paid holidays and time off