Take charge of a $1.8bn grid modernisation programme at a New England utility for nine months, covering smart meters, substation upgrades and ADMS.
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.
