Role Overview for Chief Digital Officer with a Public Utilities Company – Charlotte, NC
JRG Partners is proud to conduct an exclusive executive search for a transformative Chief Digital Officer (CDO) on behalf of our client, a premier, forward-thinking public utilities company based in the vibrant hub of Charlotte, North Carolina. This is a career-defining opportunity to join a stable, essential industry at a pivotal moment of technological evolution. Our client is deeply committed to delivering safe, reliable, and sustainable energy solutions to millions of customers, and they recognize that a robust digital strategy is paramount to achieving this mission in the 21st century.
As the Chief Digital Officer, you will be a key member of the executive leadership team, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer. You will be the visionary and architect of the company’s enterprise-wide digital transformation. This role is not simply about technology implementation; it is about fundamentally reimagining how the utility operates, engages with customers, manages its assets, and leverages data to drive strategic decisions.
You will be empowered to build a digital-first culture, foster innovation, and deliver tangible business outcomes that enhance operational efficiency, elevate the customer experience, and create new avenues for growth and value creation. The ideal candidate is a strategic, influential, and experienced leader who can navigate the complexities of a regulated industry while championing disruptive change and inspiring the organization to embrace the future of energy.
This position requires a leader who can seamlessly blend strategic vision with executional excellence. You will be responsible for developing and owning the multi-year digital roadmap, securing executive buy-in, and leading cross-functional teams to bring this vision to life. You will oversee all aspects of the digital ecosystem, from customer-facing mobile applications and web portals to internal operational platforms that leverage IoT, AI, and advanced analytics.
Your leadership will directly impact grid reliability, customer satisfaction, employee engagement, and the company’s long-term competitive positioning. If you are a passionate digital evangelist with a proven track record of driving transformation in complex, asset-intensive industries, we invite you to explore this exceptional opportunity.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Digital Officer with a Public Utilities Company – Charlotte, NC
The Chief Digital Officer will have a broad and impactful scope of responsibilities, focusing on integrating digital technology into all facets of the business. Success in this role will be measured by the ability to deliver on the following key objectives:
Develop and Execute Digital Strategy
Formulate and articulate a clear, compelling, and comprehensive digital vision and strategic roadmap that aligns with the company’s overall business objectives. Continuously evaluate emerging technologies and trends to identify opportunities for competitive advantage and operational improvement.
Lead Digital Transformation Initiatives
Champion and manage a portfolio of digital projects from conception to completion, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and produce the desired business outcomes. This includes modernizing legacy systems, implementing new platforms, and digitizing core business processes.
Enhance the Customer Digital Experience (CX)
Reimagine the end-to-end customer journey. Oversee the development and optimization of all digital customer touchpoints, including the company website, self-service portals, and mobile applications. Utilize data and analytics to create personalized, proactive, and seamless customer interactions, from billing and payments to outage reporting and energy efficiency programs.
Drive Operational Efficiency through Technology
Partner with operations leaders to leverage digital tools for greater efficiency and reliability. This includes implementing advanced Smart Grid technologies, utilizing IoT sensors for predictive asset maintenance, optimizing workforce management with mobile solutions, and enhancing data flow from the field to the back office.
Establish Data Governance and Analytics Excellence
Champion a data-driven culture across the organization. Develop and enforce a robust data governance framework to ensure data quality, security, and privacy. Build and lead a center of excellence for advanced analytics and business intelligence, turning vast amounts of data into actionable insights that inform strategic planning and operational decision-making.
Foster Innovation and a Digital-First Culture
Act as the primary advocate for digital innovation within the company. Lead change management efforts to foster a mindset of agility, experimentation, and continuous improvement. Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of digital professionals.
Manage Technology and Vendor Partnerships
Oversee the digital technology stack, ensuring it is scalable, secure, and integrated. Manage relationships with key technology vendors, software providers, and strategic partners to maximize value and drive innovation.
Ensure Cybersecurity and Regulatory Compliance
Collaborate closely with the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) to ensure the security and resilience of all digital platforms and data, particularly critical operational technology (OT) systems. Ensure all digital initiatives comply with relevant industry regulations (e.g., NERC-CIP).
Requirements for the Chief Digital Officer with a Public Utilities Company – Charlotte, NC
We are seeking a seasoned and accomplished executive with a deep understanding of both technology and business strategy. The ideal candidate will possess a unique combination of leadership acumen, technical expertise, and industry knowledge.
Educational Background
A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field is required. A Master’s degree (MBA or MS) is strongly preferred.
Executive Leadership Experience
A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in technology and digital leadership roles, with at least 7 years in a senior executive capacity (e.g., CDO, CIO, CTO, VP of Digital Transformation) overseeing large, cross-functional teams and significant budgets.
Industry Expertise
Demonstrable experience within the public utilities, energy, or a comparable asset-intensive, regulated industry (e.g., telecommunications, transportation, manufacturing) is highly desirable. Familiarity with grid operations, SCADA systems, and energy sector-specific challenges is a significant plus.
Proven Transformation Track Record
A documented history of successfully leading large-scale digital transformation programs that delivered measurable business results, including improved customer satisfaction, operational cost savings, and revenue growth.
Technical Acumen
Deep knowledge of modern digital technologies and architecture, including cloud computing (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), data analytics, artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), Internet of Things (IoT), enterprise resource planning (ERP), and customer relationship management (CRM) systems.
Strategic and Business Acumen
The ability to think strategically, anticipate future trends, and translate business goals into a coherent digital strategy and execution plan. Strong financial literacy and experience developing business cases and managing P&L are essential.
Leadership and Communication Skills
Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills. The ability to influence and align stakeholders at all levels, from the board of directors to frontline employees. A proven change agent with a collaborative, transparent, and results-oriented leadership style.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to attracting and retaining top-tier executive talent by offering a highly competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package. This includes:
Executive Compensation Package
A highly competitive base salary complemented by a significant annual performance-based bonus and a long-term incentive plan (LTIP) designed to reward strategic success and value creation.
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
Premier medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your eligible dependents. The package includes a robust wellness program, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and other resources to support your physical and mental well-being.
Retirement Savings
A generous 401(k) retirement plan featuring a substantial company match to help you achieve your long-term financial goals.
Work-Life Integration
An executive-level paid time off (PTO) policy, including vacation, sick leave, and company holidays, to ensure a healthy work-life balance.
Relocation Assistance
A comprehensive relocation package is available for the selected candidate and their family to facilitate a smooth transition to the Charlotte, NC area.
Professional Development
A dedicated budget for continuing education, executive coaching, industry conferences, and certifications to support your ongoing professional growth.
How to Apply
JRG Partners is the exclusive retained search firm for this executive opportunity. All inquiries and applications will be handled with the utmost confidentiality. We invite qualified candidates to express their interest and begin the conversation by submitting their resume and a cover letter detailing their relevant experience.
To be considered for this pivotal leadership role, please submit your application through our Technology Officers Practice portal. We look forward to reviewing your qualifications and discussing how you can make a lasting impact on the future of energy.
