Advanced Technology Program Manager (Projects and Technologies)

Job Description:

Advanced Technology Program Manager (Projects and Technologies)

Description

JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

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• Make a Difference : Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.
  
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By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

Austin Energy is seeking a strategic and results-driven Program Manager to lead the Projects & Technologies (P&T) team-an operations-focused program that supports field and engineering teams in solving complex business challenges through structured project delivery and cross-functional collaboration.

The P&T team partners closely with non-technical work-groups to identify operational needs, shape solution strategies, and guide initiatives from concept through execution. This includes leading efforts such as business case development, statement of work (SOW) creation, procurement support, implementation oversight, and post-delivery stabilization. The team plays a vital role in helping operational units adopt new tools, processes, and technologies that improve efficiency, safety, and service delivery.

As Program Manager, you will lead a team of experienced project leads and analysts who serve as trusted advisors and delivery partners to the business. You’ll be responsible for ensuring that each initiative is aligned with operational goals, delivered on time, and positioned for long-term success.

Job Description:

Advanced Technology Program Manager

Purpose:

Under general direction, manage and technically lead specific Smart Grid, Grid Modernization, and other Austin Energy advanced program(s).

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Leads planning activities to develop short- and long-term strategic plans, roadmaps, and objectives for advanced technologies and programs.
  
• Creates and manages operational budgets for short and long term technology projects and contracts.
  
• Leads cross functional teams to achieve technology initiatives.
  
• Manages existing and future contracts with vendors.
  
• Leads market research activities to identify market trends in technologies and programs.
  
• Produces periodic metrics to measure and improve: systems, projects, vendors, and service provider performance.
  
• Manages assigned matrix resources.
  
• Leverages functionality to identify operational efficiencies to improve customer satisfaction and reduce operational costs.
  
• Produces business cases, including cost versus benefit analysis and Request for Proposal (RFP’s) to support related technologies and initiatives and programs.
  
• Facilitates and leads periodic executive round table and steering committees on related technologies and programs.
  
• Facilitates internal communication, education, and training to staff, and internal and external stakeholders on technologies and programs.
  

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

May be responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of electric utility operations: generation, transmission, distribution, or other related fields
  
• Knowledge of advanced analytical, mathematical, or programming techniques
  
• Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation
  
• Knowledge of applicable processes, engineering principles, data analysis, and application design
  
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and applicable federal, state, and local laws and ordinances
  
• Skill in leading and directing personnel in a project and program capacity
  
• Skill in determining needs and gathering, analyzing and presenting data to provide accurate information for management's use
  
• Skill in oral and written business and technical communication including preparation of written reports
  
• Skill in handling and prioritizing multiple tasks and planning and organizing a program
  
• Skill in using computers and related software applications
  
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving
  
• Skill in negotiations, program monitoring, and conflict resolution
  
• Skill in conducting presentations on behalf of a public entity
  
• Skill in projecting needs for equipment and personnel and formulating operating budgets
  
• Ability to perform complex analysis, calculations, and problem solving
  
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities
  
• Ability to direct the timely production of project proposals and agreements
  
• Ability to prepare and evaluate business cases
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Business or Engineering related to the job, plus five (5) years of experience in a related field, two (2) years of which were in a program or project management capacity.
  

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• None
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven Experience in Project Delivery: Experience managing complex projects in a utility or critical infrastructure environment, with a strong understanding of Work and Asset Management systems, utility Field Client applications, SCADA, AMI, DERMS, amongst others.
  
• Strong Program and Portfolio Management Expertise: Demonstrated ability to lead a PMO or similar function, overseeing multiple concurrent projects from discovery through post-implementation stabilization using both Agile and Waterfall methodologies; PMP certification preferred.
  
• Technical Acumen in Utility Operations: Deep understanding of electric utility operations, including transmission, distribution, and field operations, with the ability to translate technical requirements and operational needs into a successful project delivery.
  
• Cross-Functional Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement: Experience collaborating with engineering, field operations, information technology, procurement, legal, and finance teams to align project goals with organizational strategy.
  
• Governance and Compliance Oversight: Familiarity with regulatory and compliance frameworks relevant to utilities (e.g., NERC CIP, FERC, state PUCs), and experience implementing governance structures for records management and data integrity.
  
• Contract and Vendor Management: Proficiency in managing vendor relationships, negotiating contracts, and overseeing third-party deliverables, particularly in the context of technology and engineering services.
  
• Budget and Financial Management: Strong financial acumen with experience managing multi-million-dollar budgets, forecasting, and aligning project spend with capital and O&M funding structures.
  
• Change Management and Organizational Readiness: Experience leading change initiatives, including training, communication, and stakeholder engagement to ensure successful adoption of new technologies and processes.
  
• Strategic Thinking and Innovation: Ability to identify emerging technologies and process improvements that enhance operational efficiency, safety, and reliability in utility environments.
  
• Excellent Communication and Documentation Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce executive-level reports, technical documentation, and facilitate cross-functional meetings.
  

Notes to Candidate:

Location:

2500 Montopolis, Austin, TX 78741

Days and Hours:

Monday through Friday. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
40 Hour Work Week (Hybrid Available)

Additional work hours may be required to support the 24-hour Utility operations, which may include evenings, weekends, holidays, inclement weather and emergency closures.

Salary:

$112,600 - $144,700 annually, depending on qualifications and experience.

Working with Austin Energy provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.

Employment Application:

• The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.
  
• Please be sure to detail on the application all current and previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
  
• The Employment Record should be complete with job titles, employment dates, job duties, functions, and responsibilities for each position held. Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience from your application.
  
• Résumés will not be accepted and statements such as “see résumé” will not be accepted. You may use “N/A” for fields that are not applicable.
  
• Please note that Austin Energy may close the job posting at any time after 7 days from the date of the initial advertisement. Once the job posting has closed, applications cannot be changed.
  

If you are selected as a top candidate:

• Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution.
  
• If you are identified as a top candidate and are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
  
• This position requires a criminal background investigation.
  

Fair Labor Standards Act:

• This position is classified as EXEMPT (Salaried). Exempt employees are not eligible for overtime compensation.
  

Essential:

This has been designated as an Essential Employee position. In the event of a City-designated emergency, Essential Employees provide services that impact the public health, safety, utility services, and welfare of members of the Austin community and other employees and ensure the continuity of essential operations. In such an emergency, Essential Employees may be called back in, may be required to modify their schedule, may be assigned to a City-designated work site, or may be retained on site to assist with operations and recovery.

Important Note to Applicants:
Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

Closing Date/Time: 2026-01-09