Description

Position Description

Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation's largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served. Over the years we have worked very hard to keep Seattle's electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound. Today, City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a vital member of the executive leadership team, responsible for providing strategic direction and executive oversight of the utility's daily operations. These include electric generation, transmission and distribution, field services, system maintenance, and customer operations. The COO ensures these essential services are delivered safely, reliably, and equitably to the community. This role translates long-term strategic goals into actionable plans that drive high-performance operations while centering sustainability, equity, and innovation. The successful candidate will be a people-centered leader who values collaboration, service, and accountability, and who is committed to building a resilient, future-ready utility that serves all customers.

The COO is a strategic executive leader accountable for ensuring the safe, reliable, and equitable delivery of electric utility services while advancing environmental stewardship and operational excellence. As a core member of the executive leadership team, the COO oversees all day-to-day utility operations—including electric generation, transmission, distribution, customer services, and field operations—with a clear focus on delivering community value. This role is instrumental in aligning short-term execution with long-term strategy, driving innovation, and cultivating a resilient, sustainable, and inclusive energy future. The successful candidate will be a visionary leader with the discipline to execute and the commitment to equity, environmental responsibility, and public service.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of day-to-day utility operations, ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality electric services.
• Lead and support daily activities across grid operations, field services, maintenance programs, customer services, and system planning.
• Develop and implement operational strategies that reflect the utility's long-term sustainability, resilience, and equity goals.
• Foster a culture of safety, compliance, continuous improvement, and employee well-being across all operational areas.
• Translate strategic goals into operational plans, budgets, and performance measures that align with frontline execution and customer needs.
• Promote inclusive leadership and workforce practices that reflect the diversity of the community served.
• Ensure that operational decisions are informed by environmental responsibility, affordability, and equitable service outcomes.
• Collaborate with the CEO, union leadership, and community stakeholders to align operational priorities with public values.
• Monitor key performance indicators and industry trends to adapt operations in response to changing technologies, regulations, and customer expectations.
• Lead capital project delivery, infrastructure modernization, and emergency response efforts with transparency, fiscal stewardship, and clear communication.
• Serve as a visible and accessible leader, building trust with staff at all levels, engaging with community members, and representing the utility in public forums.
• Support talent development and workforce planning to grow a skilled, inclusive, and future-ready operational team.
• Guide the utility through significant growth and change, including system expansion, workforce transitions, and organizational transformation, while maintaining operational excellence and community trust.

Leadership Approach

The COO must be both a strategic thinker and a skilled operator—able to inspire diverse teams, foster belonging, and guide complex systems with clarity and accountability. Success in this role requires balancing people leadership with technical oversight: empowering staff while ensuring that work is aligned to organizational priorities. A commitment to equity, listening, and adaptability is essential, as the COO will guide both immediate operational needs and long-term change in a dynamic, community-centered environment.

The COO is expected to lead in alignment with the utility's core values, which include integrity, service, safety, equity, innovation, and environmental stewardship. As a steward of the utility's culture, the COO will help cultivate a workplace where employees feel respected, supported, and motivated to contribute their best. This includes modeling inclusive leadership, supporting continuous learning, and ensuring that operational practices reflect the organization's mission to serve the public good.

The COO is both a strategic architect and an operational leader—capable of translating broad goals into disciplined execution. Success in this role requires the ability to inspire teams, lead with empathy and accountability, and build systems that support measurable performance and continuous learning. The COO must model integrity, equity, and innovation, cultivating a workplace culture that advances the utility's mission to serve all customers fairly and sustainably. A strong commitment to public service, environmental responsibility, and social equity is essential to this role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, public administration, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in electric utility operations, with a proven record of leading diverse teams and complex systems.
• Strong working knowledge of electric utility infrastructure, including generation (renewable and conventional), transmission, distribution, and customer services.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, operational leadership, and workforce development.
• Experience working in or with publicly owned, community-focused, or unionized organizations is highly valued.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust across a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

Work Environment:

• This position primarily operates in a professional office setting with regular field site visits and engagement with frontline staff.
• May be required to serve in a leadership role during emergency response or service restoration efforts.

Core Competencies of the Ideal Candidate:

1. Strategic Operational Leadership

• Ability to align daily operations with long-term strategic goals.
• Skilled in managing complex utility systems (generation, transmission, distribution).
• Strong decision-making and resource prioritization under evolving conditions.

2. People & Culture Leadership

• Fosters a culture of respect, inclusion, and empowerment.
• Skilled at developing teams, mentoring leaders, and supporting workforce well-being.
• Leads with empathy, clarity, and a strong sense of accountability.

3. Change Management

• Experienced in guiding organizations through growth, transformation, and modernization.
• Comfortable navigating organizational change, evolving technologies, and regulatory shifts.
• Communicates change effectively and builds trust during transitions.

4. Equity & Community Stewardship

• Deep understanding of public service values and equitable service delivery.
• Commitment to environmental justice, energy affordability, and community engagement.
• Works collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including underserved communities.

5. Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

• Champions a safety-first culture across all operations.
• Ensures rigorous compliance with industry, environmental, and labor regulations.
• Proactive in identifying and mitigating operational risks.

6. Innovation & Future-Focused Thinking

• Embraces modernization (grid tech, DER integration, digitization).
• Tracks trends and positions the utility to lead in decarbonization and grid resilience.
• Balances operational stability with a drive for innovation.

7. Financial & Project Oversight

• Skilled in budget development, cost control, and capital project execution.
• Ensures operational investments align with strategic and fiscal goals.
• Demonstrates strong stewardship of public resources.

8. Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

• Clear, transparent communicator across all levels—staff, board, and public.
• Builds strong relationships with labor partners, policymakers, and local communities.
• Advocates effectively for utility priorities in public and industry forums.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice .

Additional Information

Total compensation and relocation packages are competitive and depend upon qualifications and experience. The full salary range for this position is $235,108.80 to $376,174.08 annualized (assuming average of 2088 working hours per year).

Application Process

Please submit the following with your online application:

• A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement.
• A current resume of your educational and professional work experience.

Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates who meet the qualifications. Seattle City Light values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle City Light encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17 and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3. A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

Want to know more about Seattle City Light? Check out our web page: https://www.seattle.gov/city-light/about-us/careers.