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# VP, Digital Transformation with a Public Utilities Co. – Charlotte, NC


Role Overview for VP, Digital Transformation with a Public Utilities Co. – Charlotte, NC
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a premier, forward-thinking public utilities company based in Charlotte, North Carolina, in their search for a visionary and transformative Vice President of Digital Transformation. This is a career-defining executive leadership opportunity to architect the future of an essential service provider at a pivotal moment for the energy industry. Our client is committed to delivering safe, reliable, and sustainable energy, and they recognize that a robust digital strategy is paramount to achieving this mission in the 21st century.
The energy and utilities sector is undergoing an unprecedented transformation, driven by decarbonization goals, the rise of distributed energy resources (DERs), evolving customer expectations, and the increasing need for a resilient, intelligent grid. In this critical role, you will be the primary catalyst for change, responsible for conceptualizing, developing, and executing a comprehensive, enterprise-wide digital roadmap. You will champion innovation and leverage cutting-edge technologies to fundamentally reshape how the company operates, interacts with its customers, and manages its critical infrastructure.
Reporting directly to the Chief Information Officer (CIO), the VP of Digital Transformation will lead a dedicated, cross-functional team of strategists, technologists, and program managers. You will serve as a key member of the senior leadership team, collaborating closely with executives in Operations, Customer Service, Finance, and Regulatory Affairs to ensure that digital initiatives are deeply integrated with and directly support core business objectives. Your leadership will be instrumental in fostering a culture of innovation, agility, and data-driven decision-making across the entire organization.
This role is not simply about implementing new software; it’s about reimagining business processes, creating new value streams, and building a sustainable competitive advantage. You will be empowered to explore and deploy technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT), advanced data analytics, and cloud computing to optimize grid operations, enhance predictive maintenance, personalize customer experiences, and drive significant operational efficiencies. Your vision will directly impact the company’s ability to navigate the energy transition and solidify its position as an industry leader.
Key Responsibilities of VP, Digital Transformation with a Public Utilities Co. – Charlotte, NC
Digital Strategy & Visionary Leadership
Develop, articulate, and execute a clear and compelling enterprise-wide digital transformation vision and strategy. This involves conducting thorough assessments of the current technology landscape, identifying key opportunities for innovation, and creating a multi-year roadmap that aligns with the company’s long-term goals for growth, sustainability, and operational excellence.
Technology Innovation & Implementation
Act as the chief advocate for emerging technologies. Lead the evaluation, selection, and implementation of transformative digital solutions, including Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), grid modernization technologies, AI/ML for predictive analytics, IoT for asset monitoring, and cloud-native platforms to enhance scalability and agility.
Operational Excellence & Process Re-engineering
Partner with operational leaders to identify and re-engineer core business processes through automation, digitalization, and data intelligence. Drive initiatives that improve asset management, outage response, workforce mobility, and overall grid reliability and resilience.
Customer Experience Transformation
Spearhead the development of a next-generation digital customer experience. Champion initiatives to enhance self-service capabilities, personalize communications, and provide customers with greater insight and control over their energy usage through modern web portals, mobile applications, and other digital channels.
Data Governance & Advanced Analytics
Establish and lead a robust data governance framework to ensure data quality, accessibility, and security. Build and mature an advanced analytics capability, transforming raw operational and customer data into actionable insights that inform strategic decision-making, optimize performance, and unlock new revenue opportunities.
Organizational Change Management
Lead the cultural shift required for a successful digital transformation. Develop and implement comprehensive change management plans to ensure employee buy-in, adoption of new tools and processes, and the cultivation of a continuous improvement mindset throughout the organization.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Management
Build strong, collaborative relationships with executive peers and business unit leaders. Act as a trusted advisor, effectively communicating the value and progress of digital initiatives to the executive team, the Board of Directors, and other key stakeholders.
Cybersecurity & Regulatory Compliance
Work in close partnership with the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) to ensure that all digital initiatives are architected with security-by-design principles. Ensure strict adherence to all relevant industry regulations and cybersecurity frameworks, including compliance with critical infrastructure protection standards like NERC CIP.
Financial & Vendor Management
Develop and manage the annual digital transformation budget, building compelling business cases and demonstrating clear ROI for all technology investments. Oversee relationships with key technology vendors, partners, and consultants, ensuring accountability and value delivery.
Requirements for the VP, Digital Transformation with a Public Utilities Co. – Charlotte, NC
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 highly preferred.
Executive Leadership Experience
A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in technology and business leadership roles, with at least 7-10 years in a senior leadership capacity (e.g., VP, Senior Director) with direct responsibility for driving large-scale digital transformation or technology strategy.
Industry Expertise
Deep experience within the public utilities, energy, or a related asset-intensive industry is strongly preferred. A thorough understanding of both Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) environments, and the challenges of IT/OT convergence, is a significant asset.
Technical Acumen
Demonstrated expertise in a broad range of modern digital technologies, including cloud computing (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), data science, AI/ML, IoT platforms, enterprise systems (ERP, CIS), and modern software development methodologies (Agile, DevOps).
Strategic & Business Acumen
Proven ability to think strategically, anticipate future trends, and translate complex business needs into a clear, actionable technology roadmap. Must possess strong financial acumen with experience managing large budgets and developing ROI-driven business cases.
Transformational Leadership
A track record of successfully leading large-scale organizational change. Must be an exceptional communicator, influencer, and collaborator with the ability to inspire teams, build consensus among senior executives, and drive results in a complex, matrixed organization.
Results-Oriented Mindset
A proven history of delivering complex, multi-year programs on time and on budget, with a relentless focus on measuring and achieving tangible business outcomes.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is dedicated to investing in their people and offers a comprehensive and highly competitive executive rewards package, including:
Executive Compensation
A lucrative compensation package featuring a substantial base salary, a significant annual performance-based bonus, and a long-term incentive plan (equity/performance shares) designed to reward strategic success.
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
Premier medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your dependents, along with wellness programs, and generous life and disability coverage.
Retirement Planning
A robust 401(k) retirement plan with a generous company match to help you secure your financial future.
Work-Life Integration
A generous paid time off (PTO) policy, paid company holidays, and a commitment to supporting a healthy work-life balance for senior leaders.
Professional Development
A significant budget for executive coaching, attendance at industry-leading conferences, and other continuing education opportunities to ensure you remain at the forefront of your field.
Relocation Assistance
A comprehensive relocation package is available for the successful candidate and their family to move to the vibrant Charlotte, NC area.
How to Apply
This is a retained search being conducted exclusively by JRG Partners. If you are a visionary technology leader with a passion for transforming the energy sector, we encourage you to apply. To be considered for this confidential opportunity, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and strategic vision.
JRG Partners is a leader in connecting exceptional talent with transformative opportunities. To learn more about our expertise in this space, please visit the JRG Partners’ Technology & Energy Executive Search practice page. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.