Programme Director, Grid Modernisation

The role

The utility serves 1.5 million electricity customers across Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Its regulators approved a $1.8bn grid modernisation plan in 2024, covering advanced metering, substation automation and a new advanced distribution management system. The programme is now 14 months behind its original schedule and the permanent programme director has left. The executive team wants a seasoned interim to stabilise delivery and prepare the ground for a rate case filing next summer. You will report to the Chief Operating Officer.

What you will do

• Take control of a programme with 11 workstreams, four major vendors and around 300 staff and contractors.
• Reset the integrated plan and budget, and give the executive an honest view of time and cost to complete.
• Fix vendor governance, starting with the ADMS integrator and the meter deployment contractor.
• Prepare the programme evidence needed for the Department of Public Utilities filing.
• Help hire a permanent successor and hand over to them.

What you will bring

• A record of turning around large capital or technology programmes at a utility, ideally in transmission and distribution.
• Experience of AMI, ADMS or similar operational technology deployments.
• Command of contract and vendor management on multi-year, multi-vendor programmes.
• Familiarity with state regulatory processes and what regulators look for in cost recovery.
• Availability to start in November and be on site four days a week.

The package

A day rate of $1,800 to $2,200 for an initial nine months, with travel expenses between sites covered. Four days a week at the Boston headquarters. The COO will interview shortlisted candidates within a week of submission.