The California Independent System Operator (ISO) manages the flow of electricity across the high-voltage, long-distance power lines that make up 80 percent of California's power grid. We safeguard the economy and well-being of 30 million Californians by operating the grid reliably 24/7.

As the impartial grid operator, the California ISO opens access to the wholesale power market that is designed to diversify resources and lower prices. It also grants equal access to 25,865 circuit-miles of power lines and reduces barriers to diverse resources competing to bring power to customers.

The California ISO's function is often compared to that of air traffic controllers. It would be grossly unfair for air traffic controllers to represent one airline and profit from allowing that company's planes to go through before others. In the same way, the California ISO operates independently—managing the electron traffic on a power grid we do not own—making sure electricity is safely delivered to utilities and consumers on time and reliably.

The California ISO is committed to the health, safety, and work/life integration of it employees and is proud to offer flexible work arrangements. This position would be eligible to participate in a hybrid schedule.

Under the general direction of the Director, manages the day-to-day operations and staff responsible for company-wide infrastructure operations related to data and voice networks.  Ensures regulatory compliance and adherence to NERC / Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP), System and Organization Controls 1 (SOC-1), Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements no. 18 (SSAE 18), and related Standards.  Directs the planning and implementation of voice and data systems, daily operations and maintenance of voice and data communications infrastructure, and administration of corporate and technology -level policies, standards, and practices.  Provides strategic alignment with operations-related business areas for the delivery and support of critical business solutions, balancing business needs and cost of ownership, while achieving customer satisfaction.  Ensures business solution roadmaps and IT activities achieve short and long-term ISO security and availability objectives.  Delivers feasible business solution roadmaps and proactive system management, and oversees communications services vendor relationships related to critical voice and data communication services. Responsible for the overall success of voice and data communications and related business solutions.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Manages the day-to-day Network Services operations and staff.  Responsible for providing broad direction and guidance, identifies training needs, coaches and gives feedback on employee performance, develops staff performance plans, makes recommendations with respect to the hiring, firing, advancement, promotion or any other change in the status of direct reports, and performs related activities as appropriate Develops and implements short and long-term strategies and objectives within the department ensuring alignment with the objectives of the ISO
• Leads strategic network planning to achieve business goals by prioritizing network initiatives and coordinating the evaluation, deployment, and management of current and future network technologies.
• Develops and communicates enterprise level network strategies and operational plans to leaders, staff, business partners, stakeholders and customers.
• Develops, implements, maintains and ensures enforcement of policies, procedures and associated plans for network administration based on industry-standard best practices.
• Participates in the development, maintenance and implementation of disaster recovery and business continuity plans, procedures, audits and ongoing enhancements.
• Defines and communicates corporate plans, policies, procedures and standards for the organization for acquiring, implementing and operating new communication systems, equipment, software and other technologies.
• Partners with IT, operations, facilities, human resources and senior leaders to establish and maintain organizational structures and practices to ensure highly available and resilient communications infrastructure solutions are implemented.
• Promotes and oversees strategic relationships between internal resources and external entities including government, business vendors and partner organizations.
• Acts a liaison with business partners to ensure interfaces between entities are secured and managed consistent with applicable laws, policies, standards, guidelines and best practices.
• Assesses and implements Governance, Risk & Compliance Reviews, assess and identify key threats and compliance mandates.
• Ensures compliance with applicable regulations and standards.
• Manages strategic customer relationships through building highly collaborative relationships for strategic planning and the design, development and monitoring of service level agreements
• Identify opportunities for process improvement, innovations and technology solutions to advance business capabilities
• Provides leadership and removes obstacles to the successful planning and delivery of quality, cost-effective technology solutions and innovations
• Oversees and provides direction for proactive communications systems management and monitoring to ensure secure, reliable, available, and high performing systems.
• Oversees and manages software vendor performance to ensure compliance with ISO policies and develops and manages vendors to contract provisions.
• Responsible for managing the business unit budget, including overseeing cost tracking activities.

Level of Education and Discipline:

A Bachelor's degree (BA, BS) or equivalent education, training or experience in Engineering, Computer Science or closely related field. Master Degree preferred.

Amount of Experience:

Equivalent years of education and training, plus ten (10) or more years related experience.

Special Certifications of Technical Skills:

Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) technical certifications desired.  Industry technical certifications (e.g. Cisco, F5, Palo Alto Networks) desired.

Type of Experience:

Management experience required.  IT strategic planning and management, system management of real-time systems, system development, thorough knowledge of ISO operations and systems, business management, customer relationship management, vendor management.  Experience working within NERC / CIP and related regulations as they apply to communications infrastructure.     

Additional Skills and Abilities:

Ability to think strategically and devise solutions to problems in keeping with multiple considerations. Must demonstrate sound judgment and critical thinking when making decisions.  Excellent leadership and management abilities with experience coaching and developing others required.  Must be able to work effectively in a team environment as team leader, facilitator and team member.  Strong analytical and quantitative skills required.  Excellent interpersonal, communication, negotiation and writing skills required, including the ability to effectively communicate complex materials and concepts. Must be able to handle a dynamic and changing work environment, and work well independently.   ​​​​​​​

The pay range for this position is $140,775 - $234,625 / annually

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.