Principal Program Manager - Energy Savings Assistance

Requisition ID # 167619 

Job Category: Project / Program Management 

Job Level: Manager/Principal

Business Unit: Customer & Enterprise Solutions

Work Type: Hybrid

Job Location: Oakland

Department Overview

The Income Qualified Programs and Disadvantaged Communities (IQP) department within Customer Programs manages a suite of programs intended to benefit income-qualified households and disadvantaged communities (DACs) across PG&E’s service territory. The three primary programs include the Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) Program, which provides no-cost home weatherization, energy efficient appliances, and energy education to qualifying customers, and the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) bill discount programs for qualifying households. In addition, the IQP team supports various pilot programs and program studies and evaluations, including several programs designed to increase electrification in rural communities.

Position Summary

The IQP ESA Delivery Program team is seeking a Principal Program Manager. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving the successful outcome of the Pilot Plus/Pilot Deep (PP/PD) ESA Program and developing a strategic direction for incorporating an electrification workstream within the ESA Portfolio of Programs. The selected candidate will both manage and support complex aspects of PP/PD program delivery, including management of the program Implementer to ensure successful completion of customer home treatments, tracking and reporting, measurement and evaluation, and implementing program improvements and modifications throughout the program lifecycle. The Principal Program Manager will also lead the development and implementation of an innovative electrification strategy as a critical new workstream within the Energy Savings Assistance Program portfolio. This high-impact role will drive the transition toward clean energy solutions, ensuring that the program portfolio aligns with industry best practices, regulatory requirements, and the evolving needs of vulnerable and underserved communities. The Principal Program Manager will also have the responsibility of managing internal and external partnerships related to electrification strategies, helping to foster collaboration across multiple stakeholders to achieve shared goals in advancing electrification initiatives.

The Principal Program Manager will work closely with the CA Public Utilities Commission, Investor Owned Utility (IOUs) Partners, key stakeholders, including the Low-income Oversight Board (LIOB), and various working groups and interested parties.  The person in this position should have experience running or managing energy programs or similar experience.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record of managing energy savings programs, working with cross-functional teams, and demonstrating effective communication abilities. The Principal Program Manager role is expected to operate independently, manage complex initiatives, and accomplish program objectives with minimal coaching. The chosen candidate is also expected to have strong presentation, written, and verbal communication skills, the ability to inform and influence leadership decision-making, and the ability to effectively work both in teams and individually.

This role requires a comprehensive understanding of the state regulatory processes, utility programs, and low-income customers, alongside the ability to effectively lead and manage cross-functional projects. The person in this role must possess the ability to identify innovative program design solutions, address complex strategic issues, have exceptional written and verbal communication skills for the desired audiences, and be an agile learner.

PG&E is providing the salary range that can reasonably be expected for this position at the time of the job posting. This salary range is specific to the locality of the job. The actual salary paid to an individual will be based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, internal equity, specific skills, education, licenses or certifications, experience, market value, and geographic location. The decision will be made on a case-by-case basis related to these factors. This job is also eligible to participate in PG&E’s discretionary incentive compensation programs.   

Pay Range display:

Bay Area – $140,000 to $207,900 annually

Job Responsibilities

• Strategy Development: Design, articulate, and execute a comprehensive electrification strategy tailored to the objectives of the Energy Savings Assistance Program (ESAP). Conduct market analysis, stakeholder engagement, and benchmarking to inform strategic direction.
• Workstream Implementation: Oversee the launch and integration of electrification initiatives as a new workstream, ensuring seamless alignment with existing program components and maximizing synergies.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Establish and nurture collaborative relationships with internal teams, external partners, regulators, community organizations, and technology providers to drive strategy adoption and successful implementation.
• Program Leadership: Serve as subject matter expert and champion for electrification, providing thought leadership and guidance to ensure successful delivery of goals. Convene cross-functional teams and facilitate effective project management practices.
• Present complex analyses internally and externally
• Address complex strategic issues and take a broad perspective to identify innovative program design and implementation opportunities
• Develop and write regulatory filings, including program applications, testimony, reports, and proposals

• Define project strategy by providing the program background and regulatory perspective for a wide range of initiatives

• Manage complex cross-functional projects and initiatives

• Conduct analysis and present key findings to leadership at PG&E and make recommendations to improve program outcomes
• Advocate for PG&E’s positions with external stakeholders and in CPUC proceedings
• Lead PG&E’s program development work with other key contacts at the other California utilities and industry stakeholders
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key external contacts to support program development efforts aligned with short and long-term business efforts

• Leverage contacts within and beyond the company to pressure-test and refine positions and solutions
• Work with other utilities and industry groups in the development of new and innovative program initiatives to support strategy and planning at PG&E
• Seek out industry knowledge and incorporate it into best practices and decision-making
• Apply strong analytical skills to develop insights and recommendations to shape program strategies

Qualifications

Minimum:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in business, finance, accounting, or related discipline
• 10 years of progressive experience in energy programs, electrification, utility operations, program management or related experience.
• Technical Expertise with deep knowledge of electrification technologies, energy efficiency, demand response, load management, and distributed energy resources.
• Strategic Vision: Proven ability to develop and execute complex strategies in dynamic, multidisciplinary environments.

Desired:

• 8 years of progressive experience in energy efficiency programs/ or low-income programs, electrification, utility operations, or related fields
• At least 5 years in program management or leadership roles.
• Technical Expertise with deep knowledge of electrification technologies, energy efficiency, demand response, load management, and distributed energy resources.
• Master’s degree or equivalent experience in energy, business, finance, accounting, or related discipline
• Extensive utility industry or regulatory experience
• Experience working with vulnerable, low-income, and underserved communities.

Competencies:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to address issues, educate, influence and present complex information with ease and clarity to leadership and decision-makers
• Competency in regulatory writing, specifically with developing complex program applications and testimony
• Ability to use robust analytical techniques to solve complex problems
• Ability to influence leaders inside and outside of the Income Qualified Programs department through analysis, insights, and recommendations
• Consistently demonstrate a high level of innovative and new thinking focused on program design and operational implementation
• Competency in managing complex cross-functional projects and leading a diverse team toward achieving a common goal
• Ability to analyze, understand and communicate information accurately, and apply advanced knowledge to wide-ranging issues
• Competency in maneuvering comfortably through complex policy, process, and people-related organizational dynamics
• Competency in anticipating future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies