Description

Through its strategic direction policies, SMUD’s Board of Directors establishes the purpose, values and vision of SMUD, along with the results that it wants SMUD to achieve. The CEO works closely and collaboratively with the Board and is responsible for carrying out the strategic direction policies established by the Board. The CEO establishes a Strategic Plan which outlines SMUD’s goals and provides operational direction for staff to achieve the Board’s policies. Goals include:

•  Safety and Reliability: World class safety and reliability.
• Environmental Leadership: Zero carbon by 2030.
• Community Vitality: Strengthening all communities equitably.
• Affordability: Cap rate increases at or below inflation.
• Organizational Agility: Build and inclusive high trust culture and accelerate innovation.

Through a regular monitoring process, the Board of Directors evaluates whether SMUD is achieving the goals set out in the strategic direction policies. 

The CEO will lead execution of SMUD’s long-term decarbonization, digital transformation, and workforce modernization strategies in alignment with evolving customer, regulatory, and market expectations.

Pursuant to Board Policy for Board/Staff Linkage, and specifically for the Board-Chief Executive Officer and General Manager Relationship, the CEO is responsible for the following: 

    i.       Manage all operations and business affairs of SMUD.   

   ii.       Achieve the results established by the Board through its Strategic directions, and within the appropriate and ethical standards of business conduct set by the Board with a strong emphasis on transparency, public accountability, and regulatory compliance.  

  iii.       Prepare and submit to the Board for approval each year a budget to achieve the Board’s strategic directions. 

  iv.       Enforce SMUD ordinances, administer the civil service system (including hiring and terminating of all officers and employees except the Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel and the Board Special Assistant), attend meetings of the Board and report on the general affairs of SMUD, and keep the Board advised as to the needs of SMUD. 

   v.       Establish and enforce a code of ethics applicable to all employees, which provides clear guidelines for ethical standards and conduct. 

  vi.       Implement and maintain an integrated enterprise risk management process that identifies, assesses, prudently manages and mitigates a variety of risks facing SMUD. 

vii.       Ensure the smooth continuous operation of SMUD in the event of the planned or unplanned absence of the Chief Executive Officer and General Manager.

viii.       Interact with the public and other utilities and government agencies, pursuant to policies adopted by the Board.  The Chief Executive Officer and General Manager shall assure, in cooperation and consultation with the Board, that SMUD is appropriately represented in the community it serves. 

  ix.       Perform other responsibilities as may be delegated by the Board either by resolution or through the Chief Executive Officer and General Manager’s contract of employment. 

Additional CEO responsibilities include but are not limited to:

•  Work as a collaborative partner with the Board of Directors to quickly grasp the dynamics of operating this organization to ensure maximum effectiveness. Demonstrate fluency in policy governance models and proactively support Board development, education, and strategic foresight.
• Ensure strong focus and commitment to environmental leadership, community and economic vitality, and technology innovation in order to achieve SMUD’s zero carbon goal as outlined in the IRP.   
• Continue to drive positive culture improvements within SMUD.
• Strategically develop and maintain strong relationships and partnerships with organizations and individuals throughout the community to further SMUD’s goals and enhance the quality of life in our region.   
• Obtain the Board’s counsel and input regarding critical fiscal and operational issues and then utilize decisive leadership to take appropriate action.
• Continue to drive performance that will sustain SMUD’s robust reputation as one of the best run utilities in the United States.
• Develop plans and policy positions based on legislation, regulations and other governmental and public policy activities that drive environmentally progressive market-based industry policy for relevant aspects of the electric power industry.
• Increase the utilization of renewable energy by improving generation fleet availability and performance.  Develop further renewable energy capacity and storage including identifying joint venture opportunities, where appropriate. Ensure that cyber and physical security remains a top priority and that programs are in place to protect the integrity of SMUD’s IT Systems and critical infrastructure across its systems.
• Address business challenges including implementing and financing capital projects, especially those targeted on system-wide reliability and resiliency, achieving O&M efficiencies, managing rate cap pressures, etc. while balancing affordability, equity, and long-term asset management strategies.
• Continue to build upon SMUD’s high levels of customer service and satisfaction; prudently expand and improve customer service delivery capability.
• Ensure that the financial integrity of SMUD is maintained, including the areas of debt management, bond rating and rates.
• Continue oversight and leadership in implementing the company’s ongoing grid modernization initiatives.
• Assess and develop future leadership potential throughout the organization.  With a focus on increasing Diversity and Inclusion goals across the organization, provide visionary and hands-on leadership and mentoring to staff throughout the organization. 

Requirements

• At least 15 years of demonstrated business success and track record of increasing accomplishments in the Utility or other directly relevant sector.
• At least 10 years of experience at the executive level in general management, line or staff functions with demonstrated bottom line and customer impact along with leading change.
• Broad exposure to Generation, Transmission and Delivery planning and, ideally, strong experience in areas of grid modernization/resiliency, distributed generation technologies and grid integration, renewable energy and e-mobility strategies, business case ROI, and related technology implementation.
• At least five years of experience with a demonstrated track record of accomplishment with larger capital investment project oversight.
• Track record with organizations known for the delivery of top-quartile customer service.
• Proven ability to create and articulate a vision for the future for SMUD that continues in the path of innovation, efficiency, sustainability and environmental stewardship, which takes into account a multitude of uncertain economic and political factors.
• Demonstrated thought leadership; able to shape/influence policy and legislation and then create and articulate strategies in response that enhance benefits to SMUD’s stakeholders.
• Able to also deliver on long-term strategies with comprehensive solutions that ensure success by increasing renewable power generation and storage, continuing the integration and evolution of grid modernization solutions and ensuring continued industry leadership in areas of safety, energy efficiency, grid resiliency and sustainability.
• Politically adept; able to interact effectively at Board level, as well as the highest reaches of relevant state, national and international government & regulatory bodies.
• Effective team builder and mentor who actively seeks and encourages alternative perspectives, diversity & inclusiveness. 
• Knowledgeable of relevant government and regulatory requirements; key relationships with other municipal and investor-owned energy utilities in complex and dynamic market regions. Specific experience in California will be considered a plus.
• Ability to work with a structured governance model in which the board sets policy with desired outcomes and measures success, while clearly delegating the "how" to the CEO/General Manager.
• Collaborative leadership style: ability to harness the strengths, insights and capabilities of the organization, the Board, and the broader stakeholder community.