Do you have an intrapreneurial mindset with a desire to travel and build strong relationships around new and emerging technologies? We are looking for a strong, strategic leader who can craft and deliver compelling messages around new concepts, data, and ideas.

What you will do:

• Serve as the primary face of the emerging technologies, innovations, and customer programs and efforts.
• Identify modern technologies, emerging industry changes and trends.
• Educate and influence UNS on threats, opportunities, and innovation.
• Lead FutureThink evolution to collaborate and find solutions on systematic issues.
• Craft and deliver compelling stories/messages based on customer data.
• Drive cultural change around innovation.

What you bring:

• Executive presence with comfort in presenting and interfacing with executive staff and board members.
• Ability to synthesize new concepts, data, and ideas visualizing potential new uses and solutions based on industry knowledge & customer insights.
• Customer-centric thought process.
• Ability to think strategically with a vision of the Utility of the Future.
• Dynamic leadership skills with a strong skillset in coaching and developing employees.
• Desire to travel and develop strong relationships with partners, vendors, and industry and technology experts.

*Full job description

Position Description

Leads, manages, and directs the UNS Emerging Technology & Innovation team and process that seeks out both industry disruptors and, new and innovative technology, products, and programs that can be offered to internal and external customers. Responsible for identifying, developing, and implementing the approved strategic direction for UNS Innovation. Provides overall guidance, leadership, and hands-on expertise in the discovery and evaluation phases for new products and programs and risk mitigation tactics. Leverages FutureThink, to make recommendations regarding strategy positions, initiatives, and programs to UNS management for implementation. Assists as needed with the hand-off and implementation phases to facilitate the adoption and complete integration of approved technologies, products, and programs.

Manager must develop an external network and relationships with industry and technology thought leaders to seek out new ideas and technologies and then consistently communicate findings/recommendations to UNS leadership. Manager will guide the UNS Energy Innovations Team initiatives in alignment with the Fortis Innovation structure. Manager utilizes their expertise to craft messages that advocate for the changes required to incorporate appropriate emerging technology and innovations into the existing culture.

Success will be dependent upon the manager’s ability to collaborate across all departments to assist the team in creating compelling business cases based on research, data, customer requirements, and a thorough understanding of how the company operates. Responsible for fostering an environment where innovation and ingenuity are valued and rewarded. Serves as a trusted advisor to leadership and innovation catalyst and strategic innovation supporter to the company. The ideal candidate will embrace creative engineering challenges and ambiguity while focusing on results.

Responsible for the management of company goals related to the development of products and services utilizing emerging technology and for leading the team in the successful completion of day-to-day activities and meeting objectives and goals as set by the Director.

The Manager fosters a team environment that thrives through living their mission and demonstrating the UNS values. By relying on strong leadership principles and business acumen, they do the right thing. Cross company collaboration and a willingness to assist by sharing knowledge and resources creates a team that actively participates in achieving operational excellence across the company. Continuous learning is modeled and encouraged. The Manager successfully motivates team members to provide extra value with each initiative. Active engagement is achieved through showing respect and listening to all employees, creating a safe place to share opinions, and demonstrating that our differences make us stronger.

Position-Related Responsibilities

• Inform leadership and stakeholders of new and emerging technologies, and industry disruptors, and work collaboratively to design mitigation strategies.
• Work with the leadership team to develop and foster a culture of innovation at the Company. Promote an environment of forward and progressive thinking through a change management process, as well as ingenuity activities.
• Serve as the principal liaison with external innovation related third parties such as FIN, EPRI, EIP, U of A and industry trade groups. Bring back knowledge and share cross-functionally. Represents and presents to outside organizations about what UNS is doing in emerging technology & innovation.
• Identify opportunities and develop broad-based partnerships with diverse external stakeholders (e.g. utilities, local governments, business organizations, nonprofit organizations, etc.)
• Network with industry peers and experts to bring knowledge back to UNS Energy. Collaborate outside of the organization on best practices, industry trends, and program structures.
• Identify and maintain a portfolio of innovation opportunities (in support of business initiatives and strategy) through continuously analyzing emerging market trends, market disruptions, and internally generated ideas.
• Develop business cases for identified innovation opportunities, prioritize those opportunities, utilize FutureThink and assist in obtaining funding through the governance and business planning process.
• Identify, plan for, and manage pilot program opportunities with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Define and apply a standard methodology for the hand-off of all projects for effective and efficient implementation.
• Support execution activities by providing governance oversight and leadership reporting together with ensuring benefits/ value realization reporting.
• Establish OKRs that measure the effectiveness of the Company’s innovation programs and implement lessons learned.
• Effectively and clearly communicate with all levels of leadership, peers, and internal/external stakeholders.
• Prepare budgets, reports, presentations, and business cases.
• Travel to local, regional, and national conferences and workshops to network, as well as stay current on best practices, industry trends, new products and offerings.
• Responds to questions from the Arizona Corporation Commission. Develops expert knowledge and understanding of TEP’s and UES’ Commission approved Rules & Regulations, Standards, and tariffs.
• Have in-depth knowledge of market segments, trends, challenges, and opportunities in order to address the needs of customers. Stay current on best practices and new technologies/developments.
• Motivate, manage, and coordinate Company resources in meeting the needs of customers.
• Flexibility to work outside traditional business hours.
• Performs other assignments as requested by Management.

This position may provide services to affiliates of the Company subject to the UNS Energy Code of Conduct and the related Policies and Procedures.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

(Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.)