Director of Power Operations (DPO)

Job Description

CPCNH is a growing public power organization at the forefront of New Hampshire's evolving energy landscape. Formed by 68 municipalities and counties, CPCNH provides competitive electricity supply, local energy programs, and long-term infrastructure development.

CPCNH serves approximately 190,000 retail electric accounts statewide and manages over $100 million in annual revenue. Operating within the ISO New England wholesale market, CPCNH expands customer choice while advancing innovative, community-driven energy solutions.

Position Summary

The Director of Power Operations is a new senior role on a small, high-impact team, bringing key operational leadership in-house while overseeing external partners. Reporting to the Executive Director, this position leads wholesale power operations, including portfolio management, risk strategy, hedging, and transactions for physical and financial energy contracts. The role also oversees internal analytics capabilities and critical data systems.

This leader will play a central role in CPCNH's evolution into a mature public power entity, including expanded market participation, contracting strategy, and operational buildout. Success requires balancing market optimization with CPCNH's public mission of rate stability, transparency, and alignment with member community objectives.

Key Responsibilities

1. Wholesale Energy Portfolio & Risk Management
   1. Lead end-to-end power operations, including portfolio management (front, middle, and back office), financial modeling, and load and price forecasting.
   2. Oversee rate development, including assumptions for energy, capacity, ancillary services, financing, operating costs, and reserves; present recommendations to Finance and Risk Committees and support Board decision-making.
   3. Manage enterprise budgeting, liquidity, and counterparty credit risk to ensure financial stability and disciplined market participation.
2. Team Leadership, Vendor & Market Operations
   1. Build and lead CPCNH's internal power operations capability, including staffing across analytics, risk management, and market operations.
   2. Direct and manage external vendors, ensuring strong performance, accountability, and alignment with CPCNH objectives.
   3. Develop and execute a roadmap to optimize the operating model, including selectively internalizing key functions over time.
   4. Lead CPCNH's transition to full market participation as a Load Serving Entity (LSE) within ISO New England.
3. Governance & Compliance
   1. Own implementation of CPCNH's Enterprise Risk Management Policy across all power operations.
   2. Ensure compliance with market rules, regulatory requirements, and contractual obligations.
   3. Serve as lead staff to the Risk Management Committee, supporting oversight, reporting, and informed decision-making.
4. Data, Analytics & Reporting
   1. Oversee wholesale, retail, and financial data systems supporting forecasting, settlements, billing determinants, and cost allocation.
   2. Ensure accurate, timely reporting, including cost-of-service rates, member cost allocations, and Joint Reserve contributions.
   3. Lead development of integrated data models, analytics platforms, and dashboards to support transactions and Board-level decision-making.
5. Strategic & Cross-Functional Support
   1. Support development of strategic initiatives, including load management, storage, and generation assets aligned with member goals.
   2. Contribute to regulatory and legislative efforts, including technical analysis and potential expert testimony in New Hampshire's competitive energy market.

Qualifications & Experience

Education. Bachelor's in a relevant field required. Technical certification(s) and/or advanced degree preferred.

Work experience. 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in power agency, utility, system operator, competitive supplier, and/or community choice aggregation energy market operations and organizational development.

Skills, knowledge.

• Strong integrity, accountability, and alignment with organizational values.
• Experience in ISO New England or other deregulated wholesale power markets; familiarity with Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute energy risk management strategies addressing supply, pricing, and compliance exposure.
• Proficiency in data analysis and modeling, including statistical methods and data visualization to inform decision-making.
• Experience with analytical and technical tools (e.g., Excel, APIs, Python, R, SQL), with advanced capability in at least one.
• Strong understanding of energy policy, regulatory frameworks, and evolving market rules.
• Proven leadership in directing cross-functional teams, initiatives, and operational processes.
• Strategic thinker with strong systems perspective, sound judgment, and effective decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to convey complex information and provide actionable guidance.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $200-$270,000 annually.

Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. Opportunities for professional growth in a mission-driven organization at the forefront of energy innovation.