Strategy Program Manager

We offer a dynamic work environment and a unified and inclusive culture. NRG fosters a strong sense of belonging that leads to better collaboration and business performance. Our company programs are designed to help employees develop the skills they need for success now and in the future. In everything we do, we aim to champion our employees and bring value to our customers, investors and society.

More information is available at www.nrg.com. Connect with NRG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.

Job Summary

The Project Manager leads cross-functional strategic initiatives that improve customer experience, operational performance, and technology enablement for the Consumer Home Energy Customer Success Organization. This role partners with business leaders, IT, and operational teams to define scope, build business cases, manage delivery, and drive adoption from concept through implementation. Success requires strong program governance, clear executive communication, and the ability to influence outcomes in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of cross-functional initiatives (process, technology, and operations), ensuring outcomes are achieved on time, within scope, and within budget
• Stand up and coordinate project teams by identifying required capabilities, roles, and responsibilities across business, IT, and vendor/partner stakeholders
• Establish project governance: define team structure, roles, decision forums, cadence, and stakeholder alignment
• Own integrated delivery plans across discovery, requirements, design, build/configuration, testing, deployment, and stabilization; manage dependencies and critical path
• Drive scope definition and change control: document requirements, secure approvals, assess impacts, and communicate decisions clearly
• Define, track and report key milestones, deliverables, dependencies, and critical path items to ensure timely execution
• Identify, assess, and proactively manage risks, issues, and decisions; escalate with clear options and recommendations to keep delivery on track
• Develop and manage project financials: build forecasts, track spend, coordinate resourcing, and maintain cost plans from initiation through closeout
• Partner with business owners to develop business cases (including NPV when applicable) and track value realization throughout the lifecycle
• Deliver executive-ready updates (dashboards, readouts, and meeting materials) that clearly call out progress, risks, decisions needed, and next steps
• Improve delivery effectiveness by identifying and implementing standards, templates, playbooks, and lessons learned to reduce cycle time and increase quality
• Inherit and turn troubled projects around
• Serve as the primary coordinator across internal teams and external partners to align stakeholders, manage expectations, and remove delivery blockers
• Internal: Establish strong contact with all business functions and act as central hub
• External: Coordinate, act as day-to-day project contact with partner teams
• Coach and mentor junior project managers and business analysts
• Select and apply the appropriate delivery approach (waterfall, agile, or hybrid) and tailor ceremonies/artifacts to the needs of the initiative
• Assist with recruiting of PMO personnel
• Able to manage, develop, and lead direct reports
• Support business analyst work as needed to support project needs

Working Conditions

• Open office environment.
• Hybrid position located in Houston, TX
• Some overtime required as special projects arise.
• Minimal Travel

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum of 3+ years project management experience managing complex enterprise level projects and multiple projects in dynamic and demanding environments
• Project/strategic planning and business background with understanding of assigned areas of responsibility
• Demonstrated experience with waterfall project management
• Demonstrated presentation and training skills, with experience presenting complex findings to executive leadership and cross-functional teams
• Experience working on technology integration and operations projects

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Accounting, Engineering, or Computer Science
• 5+ years of project management experience delivering multiple complex initiatives in parallel
• PMP certified
• Demonstrated experience with Agile project management
• Knowledge of the utility and/or the deregulated energy industry
• Demonstrated advanced analytical skills, including data interpretation and actionable insights development

Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Clear, concise communication for executive and frontline audiences (written and verbal)
• Strong planning and prioritization skills; able to manage multiple projects and shifting priorities
• Analytical, structured problem-solver with strong root-cause analysis skills
• High attention to detail with strong follow-through and documentation discipline
• Ability to recognize the need to be hands-on and ready to roll up sleeves and dive deep when needed
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to identify risks/issues early, recommending and implementing practical solutions
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Project); comfort learning new tools quickly
• Strong collaboration skills; able to influence without authority and work effectively across teams
• Comfortable with ambiguity and change; proactively adapts plans as priorities evolve
• Lead through change by championing new ways of working, building stakeholder buy-in, and helping teams adopt change effectively
• Able to navigate difficult conversations and drive decisions to closure
• Ability to work effectively both independently and with teams

NRG Energy is committed to a drug and alcohol-free workplace. To the extent permitted by law and any applicable collective bargaining agreement, employees are subject to periodic random drug testing, and post-accident and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing. EOE AA M/F/Protected Veteran Status/Disability. Level, Title and/or Salary may be adjusted based on the applicant's experience or skills.

EEO is the Law Poster (The poster can be found at http://www.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf)

Official description on file with Talent.