Utility Operations Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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, Exempt
About 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 Responsibilities
Process Transformation & Optimization

• Lead end-to-end process improvement initiatives across utility operations, GIS, and asset data workflows
• Develop 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 processes
• Design and implement Lean-based solutions to improve efficiency, throughput, and data quality
• Establish standardized workflows, documentation, and governance frameworks

Program Leadership & Execution

• Serve as a program lead for process improvement initiatives, coordinating across multiple workstreams and stakeholders
• Drive alignment across operations, GIS, quality, and executive leadership teams
• Facilitate working sessions, workshops, and decision-making forums to advance process changes
• Translate business objectives into structured execution plans with clear milestones and deliverables
• Ensure successful adoption of new processes through stakeholder engagement and change management

Performance Management & Continuous Improvement

• Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to process efficiency, quality, and delivery
• Deliver measurable improvements in operational performance, including cycle time reduction and increased throughput
• Establish monitoring frameworks and dashboards to track ongoing process performance
• Support continuous improvement initiatives aligned with PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) methodologies
• Integrate lessons learned into ongoing process refinement and program evolution

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Partner with GIS, data, quality, and engineering teams to ensure process alignment across systems and workflows
• Coordinate with program and portfolio leadership to ensure consistency across parallel initiatives
• Support integration of process improvements into broader program structures, including quality review and corrective action programs
• Align process changes with regulatory, compliance, and audit requirements as needed

Documentation & Governance

• Develop and maintain process documentation, including workflows, SOPs, and governance artifacts
• Define roles and responsibilities (RACI frameworks) across process areas
• Support the establishment of a “gold standard” process architecture for utility programs
• Ensure documentation is accessible, standardized, and aligned with program needs

Required Qualifications
Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, GIS, or related field
• 5–10+ years of experience in process improvement, consulting, or utility operations
• Proven experience leading complex, cross-functional transformation initiatives
• Experience working within regulated utility environments strongly preferred

Skills & Competencies

• Lean 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 solutions
• Experience working with GIS, asset data, or utility operational workflows preferred
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills
• Excellent facilitation, stakeholder management, and executive communication abilities
• Ability to influence without authority in matrixed organizations

Work Environment

• Primarily remote with occasional travel for stakeholder meetings
• Hybrid cadence for key workshops and program milestones

The 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:
HEALTH & WELL-BEING

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance

PEACE OF MIND

• Disability Insurance (STD/LTD)
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account
• Basic Life/AD&D
• 401(k) plan

WORK/LIFE BALANCE

• Paid Time Off
• Company Holidays
• Leave of Absence
• Flexible Work Schedules

ADDITIONAL PERKS

• Employee Referral Program
• Professional Development
• Charitable Contribution Match

Based 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.
See full details and meet our leadership team on our website: https://www.consultcelerity.com/
Celerity is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veterans’ status or other status protected by applicable law.
Pursuant to the Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

This position is open to individuals who are currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor or assume sponsorship of employment visas at this time.

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