Program Manager Jobs in Columbus, NE (NOW HIRING)

Organizational Change Management Program Manager
Salary Range - $9,430.00 - $12,023.00
Location - One of the following NPPD facilities in Nebraska: Columbus, Kearney, Norfolk, or York
Employment Type: Full-time
Posting Date: 7/24/2026
Closing Date: 8/07/2026
Nebraska Public Power District is hiring! Join our team as a Organizational Change Management Program Manager and become an important part of our NPPD story. We are proud of our history, powering every corner of Nebraska, every day, for half a century. We recognize that it takes a diverse group of individuals to move forward in the rapidly changing energy industry, and now is the time to power our own transformation. Come with us on our journey, walking alongside teammates and our customers, leading the way in providing safe, reliable, sustainable energy for all Nebraskans, all while protecting our environment, powering our lives, and realizing our dreams. That's NPPD...the Power of People.
Get to know us more here.
Position Summary
The Organizational Change Management (OCM) Program Manager is responsible for designing and facilitating change management and change leadership strategies that enable successful adoption of business process improvements, technology implementations, and cultural transformation initiatives of significant complexity with District-wide impacts. This position will serve as a facilitator and trusted advisor to leaders and project teams to enable the implementation of transformation that improves organizational efficiency, effectiveness, competitiveness, and the continuous flow of value to NPPD's customers. This role ensures that these transformational changes are implemented smoothly and sustainably, minimizing resistance and maximizing teammate engagement by partnering with NPPD subject matter experts and/or third-party representatives.
The Organizational Change Management (OCM) Program Manager will be the subject matter expert in the application of frameworks related to Change Management and Change Leadership with respect to transformational initiatives across the District. They will also foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, collaboration, and data-informed decision-making to ensure long-term organizational change adoption and sustainable impact.
This position requires self-direction, self-motivation, visionary and forward-thinking capabilities. The role provides coaching, consultation, mentorship and guidance to a diverse set of individuals across the District which requires a high level of self-awareness, relationship building, business acumen, and change leadership skills.
Education, Training and Experience
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Psychology, Communications, Human Resources, or related field.
• 5+ years work experience (utility experience preferred) with 3+ years in change leadership, change management, or continuous improvement roles.
• Strong grasp of change management/leadership frameworks.
• Proficiency in cross-functional leadership and facilitation.
• Strong change enablement skills and stakeholder communication.
Licenses and/or Certifications
Change Management/Leadership Certification or equivalent required or obtained within (1) year from the date of hire.
Continuous Improvement Certification OR Train the Trainer Certification required or obtained within two (2) years from the date of hire.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Change Strategy & Planning

• Design and implement comprehensive change management and change leadership strategies aligned with organizational goals and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Conduct impact assessments and readiness evaluations to identify potential risks and barriers to change.
• Facilitate meetings and workshops with teammates, affected stakeholders, sponsors, and/or users to ensure successful outcomes, execution, and adoption of District initiatives as contained in the District's Strategic Plan, or other strategic documents and plans as developed.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Partner with leadership, project teams, and business units to ensure alignment and buy-in for change initiatives.
• Partner with Corporate Communications to create and deliver clear communication plans, including messaging, FAQs, and progress updates tailored to diverse audiences.

Organizational Training & Capability Building

• Partner with Organization Development and/or business units to design and coordinate training programs to support new processes, systems, and behaviors.
• Develop tools and resources to embed change agility skills and empower change leadership capability across the organization to promote best practices.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities (Continued)
Performance Measurement & Sustainability

• Develop and define progress reporting for success metrics and monitoring of adoption rates, employee feedback, and performance outcomes.
• Effectively leverage data, analytics, and reporting in support of telling the story and enhancing the effectiveness of change initiatives and the impact of the Change Management function on NPPD culture and performance.
• Implement reinforcement strategies to ensure long-term sustainability of changes.

Collaboration & Integration

• Create, lead, and implement change initiatives of various complexity within business units related to business processes, technologies, and cultural transformations as necessary.
• Work closely with Continuous Improvement, Innovation, Strategy, Corporate Communications, Organizational Development, Enterprise Technology, and Operations teams to integrate change management and change leadership into project plans.
• Serve as a trusted advisor on organizational change to drive the use of best practices and methodologies.

Accountable for other duties as assigned.
Core Competencies
Customer Focus
Employees & Teamwork/Diversity & Inclusion
Integrity/Excellence
Public Service/Environmental Stewardship
Safety
Salary Information - Nebraska Public Power District offers a competitive starting salary with opportunities for growth. In addition to the base salary range listed below, NPPD employees may also be eligible for our Annual Incentive Program (AIP) that may supplement total compensation at a level above and beyond the stated salary range. Successful applicants will be provided more information regarding the incentive program at the time of an interview.
Pay Grade - 15 Monthly
Typical Pay Grade Starting Salary Range: $9,430.00 - $12,023.00
Travel Required: Up to 25% (With no or minimal overnight stays, less than 3 per month, typically within state of Nebraska) Travel required may fluctuate by business need. This is an estimate and will be discussed further with candidates that receive an interview.
Nebraska Public Power District offers a competitive starting salary and an excellent benefits package including medical and dental insurance, 401K retirement plan, paid holidays, paid vacation, paid medical, training opportunities and more.
If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact Human Resources at Nebraska Public Power District.
Nebraska Public Power District is an Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer who values the contributions of its diverse work force. We are only legally able to hire persons who are 1) a United States citizen or national, 2) a lawful permanent resident of the United States, or 3) an alien legally authorized to work in the United States.
Benefits
Customers around the state know what to expect from NPPD - quality, reliability and performance excellence. Our values also extend to the way we take care of our employees and their families. We remain on the leading edge by providing competitive benefits that respond to the diverse lifestyles of our people in an ever-changing world.
Salary
Nebraska Public Power District offers a competitive starting salary with opportunities for growth. In addition to the base salary listed in posting, NPPD employees may also be eligible for our Annual Incentive Program (AIP) that may supplement total compensation at a level above and beyond the stated salary range.
Retirement Savings
NPPD employees may participate in two retirement plan options - a 401(k) plan and a 457(b) plan. Both plans allow for pre-tax or Roth contributions. After the first six months of employment, the 401(k) plan includes a generous matching contribution from NPPD. The five-year vesting period begins on an employee's hire date. Our retired employees are eligible for retiree healthcare benefits as well as a life benefit paid out to designated beneficiaries upon their passing.
Health & Wellness
At NPPD, we care about the health and wellness of our employees. We offer new teammates two competitive hospital / medical plan options to fit their lifestyle and family needs. We also make an annual contribution to employee Health Savings Accounts, which can be used to offset out-of-pocket expenses. Employees and their spouse are invited to participate in a variety of wellness initiatives offered throughout the year as a way to enhance their wellness, reduce health risks and promote healthy lifestyles.
Other Benefits
Employees earn vacation on a schedule commensurate with their years of service. We also offer paid holidays as well as personal and family medical leave, including birth mother recovery leave and parental child bonding leave. All full-time employees receive a life insurance policy equivalent to two times the participant's annual salary at no cost to the employee. NPPD also offers dental and vision insurance as well as personal accident, accidental death and dismemberment, critical illness, hospital indemnity, long-term care, pre-paid legal/identity theft, and short-and long-term disability insurance plans. Additional benefits include college tuition reimbursement, relocation assistance and complimentary access to an Employee Assistance Program.