Description

Continuous Improvement Manager

Utility Programs and Services

Location: Midwest or Central Time Zone (Remote – Home office with expected regional office travel)

Ready to make a difference?

Are you an experienced Operations Manager with a track record of successful, budget management, data insights, and operational efficiency? Do you possess strong communication skills, enjoy interacting with internal clients and stakeholders? Do you enjoy working with a team of highly skilled, multi-disciplinary, and passionate team members; collaborating with local domain experts, and bringing it all together to deliver results? If so, then you have found the perfect job.

Come join our team as an Operations Manager and support our growing portfolio of work with utilities throughout the Midwest and the West. A successful candidate in this role will be self-directed and will exercise initiative to advance projects to completion. Working closely with the Director of Program Operations, Region Business Leads, and local implementation teams, you’ll focus on:

• Standardizing processes and reporting

• Driving innovation and process improvements

• Developing and documenting process flows and manuals

• Guiding change management efforts.

Why you will love working here:

• Quality of life: Flexible workplace arrangements, work-life balance, employee wellbeing programs

• Investment of the community: Donation matching, volunteer opportunities

• Investment in you: Education Reimbursement, Retirement Planning, 401k matching, Mentorship Programs, Free access to professional development resources such as LinkedIn Learning

• Any many, many more *Ask your recruiter for more details!

What you will be doing:

You will help develop and guide a holistic approach to organization and process efficiency that focuses on the three core tenants of operational excellence: Better, Faster, Cheaper; as well as First Time Quality/Quality at the Source . Identify opportunities for standardization, innovation, and process improvement projects; gather data and present findings and recommendations; and ultimately advise and assist in the implementation of approved projects. Develop KPIs/OKRs and process control plans to ensure operational and/or process improvements are measured and sustained over time.

​Day-to-day activities will focus on assignments such as:

• Coordination of regular program-level deliverables (regular and ongoing reporting, forecasting, invoices, etc.): working with project managers to establish minimum requirements, QA processes, standard formats, and scheduling

• Coordination of performance monitoring and assessment: working with project managers to design and develop performance forecast reports, identify trends, KPI/OKR tracking, and corrective action plans

• Existing data collection processes to support ongoing regulatory evaluations and audits: working with project managers to establish minimum requirements, QA processes, standard formats, and scheduling

• Evaluating and/or establishing business controls, processes, and systems: associated with shared files, resources and program documents, and appropriate version and access controls

• Coordination with IT team to assist in the standardization of report outputs, ticket requests, and other requirements

• Evaluating and developing business workflow documents: working with project teams to design, develop, and/or update existing business workflows such as operation and process manuals, process maps, swim lane diagrams, control plans, etc.

• Must have a reliable vehicle for local and regional travel. Requirements are between 5% to 15% of the time. (reimbursement for mileage provided)

What we need you to have (minimum qualifications):

• Bachelor’s degree (or applicants can substitute one year of related experience for one year of education)

• 2+ years of experience serving in an operations or process improvement capacity, preferably working in a consulting or labor-as-a-service environment or related field

• 2+ years of experience working with industry-standard Business Applications (such as Google suite, M365, Visualization Tools, Data Insights and Analytics)

What we would like you to have (professional skills):

• Ability to communicate effectively, written and verbally, with clients and colleagues at all levels.

• Other skills: systems thinking, problem-solving, active listening, results-oriented, presentation and story-telling skills

• Sound business ethics, including the protection of proprietary and confidential information

• Have experience with or working knowledge of Lean Six Sigma and Project Management practices

• Ability to work within a matrixed team environment and manage through influence.

• Ability to be self-directed and to take initiative to drive activities that advances program continuous improvement.

What would be useful:

• Knowledge of the utility and energy efficiency, demand response, and distributed energy resource programs and markets

• Experience developing a business case and delivering presentations to Sr Management or Executives

• Experience with AI-centric tools and applications

• Experience with SharePoint Lists, Power Query, or Power Automate.

• Certifications related to operational excellence (PMP, Six Sigma, etc.)

Working at ICF

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.

We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building an inclusive workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to hiring regardless of any protected characteristic, such as race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability status, or military/veteran status. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read our EEO & AA policy (https://www.icf.com/legal/equal-employment-opportunity) .

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation please email Candidateaccommodation@icf.com and we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations. Read more here: Requesting an Accommodation for the ICF interview process (http://careers.icf.com/us/en/accommodations) .

Read more about workplace discrimination rights , the Pay Transparency Statement (https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp_%20English_formattedESQA508c.pdf) , or our benefit offerings which are included in the Transparency in (Benefits) Coverage Act. (https://www.icf.com/legal/equal-employment-opportunity)

Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is:

$71,958.00 - $122,328.00

Wisconsin Remote Office (WI99)