Business Manager

Summary:

The Utilities Department is comprised of three, distinct utility services, which share a single Business Office; together, the Utilities Department is responsible for approximately 7,000 electric customers, as well as 5,000 water, and 3,000 wastewater customers. The Utilities Department's fundamental priorities include customer satisfaction, operational effectiveness, resiliency, accessibility, and long-range sustainability.

The Business Manager is directly responsible for oversight of the Department's business-to-business functions, like processing of accounts payable, as well as customer-facing operations, including billing, receipts, collections, and customer service. They provide immediate supervision of the Department's clerical team and some exempt employees, while also interfacing with external consultants, vendors, and other professional partners.

In addition, the Business Manager maintains cognizance over internal technology systems critical to Department operations. Such technologies may include SCADA systems, incident response platforms, asset management platforms, communication networks, security systems, advanced metering infrastructure, and related systems.

As a member of the Utilities management team, the Business Manager actively participates in planning, developing, and executing projects that impact the long-term value and sustainability of the organization.

Responsibilities:

In collaboration with the Electric Light Manager, the Utilities Business Manager will:

• Manage the performance and effectiveness of approximately 5-7 direct reports through the routine execution of critical functions including approximately $30 million in billing and collections annually.
• Leverage a variety of data streams (such as Customer Information Systems, Advanced Meter Infrastructure/ Meter Data Management Systems, and others platforms) to analyze data, derive insights, and provide recommendations to inform strategic decision.
• Coordinate between vendors, consultants, and related stakeholders for business-to-business activities, including processing of accounts payable and maintaining functionality of critical service platforms.
• Manage projects to implement capital improvements or operational changes within the context of the Business Office.
• Assist in the development of reports including the annual departmental operating budgets, DPU report, ELD Annual Report, RP3/SEP applications, Green Community progress report, water lien reports, and related documents.
• Direct procurement of goods and services for the Business Office (e.g., bill printing services), including decision making, development of specifications, selection of sources, solicitation and evaluation of offers, contract awards, and preparation of same.
• Provide financial oversight for certain accounting functions, including annual audit, closing fiscal year-end, and developing annual budget.
• Support the clerical team in resolving customer issues that require escalation.
• Work collaboratively with all members of the management team to develop and coordinate distribution of communications and marketing materials.
• Rarely, may be called on during utility emergencies or outages to support Department operations; specifically, assisting with internal/external communication and/or logistical support (i.e. ordering staff meals, coordinating lodging for mutual aid personnel, etc.).
• Other duties as assigned by the Electric Light Manager.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Directly responsible for the management of all Business Office staff, including union clerks (4) and exempt specialists (2)

Preparation, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Bachelor degree in business, finance, accounting, or related field; MBA, CPA, other relevant certifications or master degree preferred.
• Three to five years of management experience preferred.
• Familiarity with concepts associated with electric, water, and wastewater utility operations.
• Solve problems using personal judgment and specialized knowledge.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time sensitive deadlines.
• Demonstrated knowledge of, and passion for, sustainability.
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment
• Ability to problem solve and deal with conflict and stress.
• Demonstrated record of reliability and integrity.
• Skill in courteous and professional communication.
• Prioritize work across different projects and able to adapt to dynamic situations.

Working Conditions:

• Position generally works out of an office environment with moderate noise levels. Inside: Protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes. A job is considered ”inside“ if the worker spends 75% or more of the time inside.
• Frequent periods at computer terminal or on telephone.
• Flexible scheduling including occasional nights, weekends, travel, and remote work may be required (<5%).
• Lifting of 20 pounds and occasionally lifting and/or carrying such articles as computer printouts, notebooks, small tools etc. Ability to sit at a work station for extended periods. Walking and standing required occasionally. Seeing, hearing, talking, feeling, reaching and seeing required.

 The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job.  The above is not intended to be exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.