Chief Operating Officer

The Position

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) reports to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and is a member of the senior management team and a strong partner to both the CEO and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), providing executive leadership in the overall growth, management, and strategic planning of the organization. The Chief Operating Officer has responsibility for internal coordination and leadership to meet the agency’s strategic plan, key milestones and objectives, and for ensuring effective and efficient Agency operations with a 40-member staff and 22-member Board of Directors.

As part of a three-person “C-Suite,” the COO serves as a strategic thought partner to the CEO and CFO on a variety of Agency matters and provides direct oversight of the Energy Programs, Account Services, Data and Technology and Marketing Departments. The position operates with a high level of autonomy, and the COO will regularly report to the Board of Directors and other external entities as may be needed. The COO is expected to exercise critical thinking and detail-oriented oversight in ensuring that Peninsula Clean Energy operations are smooth, efficient, and compliant. The COO leads operations of the organization to ensure staff and customer satisfaction and to retain PCE’s competitive advantage.

Responsibilities

The COO has specific supervisory and support responsibilities for the Directors of Energy Programs, Marketing and Community Relations, Account Services, and Data and Technology; other department oversight is TBD depending on the experience and skill sets of the candidate. The COO will also coordinate closely with the Director of Power Resources, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Director of Government Affairs. In this role, the COO provides regular feedback, conducts performance appraisals, and reviews and approves professional development opportunities. Other areas of responsibility include:

Leadership, Planning and Management

  • Collaborate with CEO/CFO and other key Agency players in managing PCE operations toward acheivement of Agency goals and maintaining a productive and happy work force in a remote-first work environment
  • Participate as a member of the senior management team in the development and implementation of organization-wide policies and programs that contribute to PCE’s overall success.
  • Provide oversight of the Energy Programs, Account Services, Marketing and Community Outreach and Data and Technology functions; actively interface with other departments as needed to help manage the overall performance of the Agency
  • Ensure that departments under COO oversight meet stated targets and objectives using appropriate metrics for tracking and reporting progress.
  • Lead and monitor the Strategic Planning process, progress toward stated goals, and bi-annual reporting to the Board.
  • Serve as CEO’s “deputy” and strategic thought partner; stand in for CEO at functions and events as may be requested from time to time
  • Participate in and represent executive leadership on cross-functional teams such as Diversity, Equity, Access and Inclusion (DEAI), Cost of Service, Risk Management, etc.
  • Work closely with CFO during budget season to manage cross-department budget process and maintain detailed understanding of the Agency’s budget and net position at all times
  • Must have strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with the Board, executive leadership team and employees.

Policies, Operations and Compliance

  • Ensure that Peninsula Clean Energy operations, policies and business practices are consistent with its mission, vision, values and goals.
  • Identify and seek opportunities to increase operational efficiency through automation and software solutions
  • Monitor and ensure that effective internal controls are in place to safeguard assets and ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including office procedures with respect to public health and safety protocols
  • Work in collaboration with Department directors and staff to ensure that all contracts with outside vendors are in compliance with policies, legal requirements and procedures of the organization.
  • Lead effort to boost and ensure the Agency’s compliance with customer data security protocols

Organization and Team Development

  • Partner with the CEO and HR department in organizational and staff planning to manage growth and expand customer services as may be operationally prudent and directed by the Board
  • Help design and coordinate Agency organizational development efforts including quarterly staff meetings and annual staff and Board retreats
  • Ensure that Peninsula Clean Energy work products are professional, accurate, comprehensive, timely, well documented, and enhance Peninsula Clean Energy’s credibility.
  • Coach and develop the leadership team using a supportive and collaborative approach; implement and encourage use of professional development program
  • Partner with CEO on longer-term organizational development efforts including strategic planning, scenario planning and effective risk and change management
  • Provide regular, consistent, direct, fact-based, feedback to direct reports and the team to instill a strong sense of teamwork and inclusivity.

Education

  • Undergraduate degree is required, preferably in the STEM disciplines.
  • Graduate degree is strongly preferred in STEM disciplines or Business Administration.

Experience

Requires at least fifteen years’ experience in energy-related field and/or utility operations, five of which must have been at the senior management level. Experience in the operational division of an electric utility and/or clean energy company that includes interaction with energy markets, complex contracts, energy programs, transportation electrification, building electrification, information technology, and customer service is strongly preferred. Previous work in a public agency is desirable as well as any combination of education and experience that provide the knowledge and ability required to perform the functions of the position.

The successful candidate will bring many of the following qualifications and areas of experience:

  • Knowledge of and experience with community choice energy programs in California
  • Knowledge of CA energy market, regulatory and renewable energy policy, electricity rates and rate setting/forecasting
  • Demonstrated track record of managing teams, organizations and functional departments
  • Experience working with a Board of Directors, including presenting at board meetings and staffing Board committees as may be needed.
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and manage in a fast-paced, hands-on, team‐oriented and collegial work-from-home environment.
  • The intelligence, energy, intellectual range and care in judgment that are necessary to be an effective adviser to the CEO and the Board on individual decisions and on the overall quality of Peninsula Clean Energy direction and operations.
  • Previous experience working with local, regional and state governmental agencies; this would include experience with public presentations, knowledge of the Brown Act, and municipal governance protocols
  • Strong interpersonal skills with ability to interact effectively with employees, stakeholders, Board members, regulators, and elected officials.
  • Strong planning, budgeting and analytical skills
  • Knowledge and understanding of sustainability issues and greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Success in customer service, marketing, PR, and community relations
  • Must have excellent oral and written presentation skills.

Location

Requires California residency. Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) is a remote-first work environment with a preference to hire staff that live in or within a 100-mile radius of San Mateo County, CA. Employees will be expected to attend in-person meetings on a monthly to quarterly basis at the Peninsula Clean Energy office in Redwood City.

Salary And Benefits

Salary: $250,000 to $300,000; final salary commensurate with experience.

Peninsula Clean Energy offers a generous benefits package including:

  • Individual, family and domestic partner health (medical, dental, vision) insurance
  • Retirement and employer matching contributions
  • Health and dependent care flex spending account
  • Long term disability benefits
  • Cell phone and internet stipend for remote work
  • Paid parental leave
  • Generous paid vacation and professional development opportunities

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit the items listed below in PDF format to resume@execsearch.com with the email subject line title “PCE Chief Operating Officer: YOUR NAME”

Application Materials:

  1. Cover letter expressing your interest in and qualifications for the position
  2. Resume
  3. Three professional references

The Organization

Peninsula Clean Energy is a Community Choice Aggregation agency. It is the official electricity provider for all of San Mateo County and the City of Los Banos. Peninsula Clean Energy’s customer base consists of almost 315,000 accounts, serving a population of 810,000. Founded in 2016 with a mission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the county, the agency provides 100% clean energy at lower cost than PG&E. As a community-led, not-for-profit agency, Peninsula Clean Energy makes significant investments in our communities to expand access to sustainable and affordable energy solutions.

Peninsula Clean Energy’s mission is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by expanding access to sustainable and affordable energy solutions. This includes providing cleaner power at lower rates with virtually GHG-free power as its standard power service. We have aggressive decarbonization goals including delivering 100% renewable energy on an hourly basis by 2027 and supporting our service territory in reaching comprehensive decarbonization for transportation and buildings by 2035.

Peninsula Clean Energy is making significant and growing investments to advance these objectives, providing a full spectrum of programs and pilots to serve the community.

Peninsula Clean Energy is committed to complying with applicable laws, including the Americans with Disability Act and Fair Employment and Housing Act, ensuring equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with a disability. Peninsula Clean Energy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on age, sex or gender (including but not limited to pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), genetic information or characteristics, gender identity, gender expression, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, marital status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, or on any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local laws.

The information contained herein has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. The information also does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract, and these provisions are subject to change. Peninsula Clean Energy is an equal opportunity employer.

 

IF INTERESTED PLEASE CONTACT:

John Ferneborg, Senior Partner 
San Mateo, CA
john@execsearch.com