Vice President, Electric and Fiber Operations

Compensation

Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt

Benefits: Yes - See Benefits Web Page

Employment Type: Full Time

Department: Executive

Job Statement

The Vice President of Electric & Fiber provides strategic leadership and operational direction for the utility’s electric transmission and distribution, substation and system operations, and fiber broadband divisions. This executive oversees engineering, construction, operations, maintenance, regulatory compliance, and workforce development. The VP ensures safe, reliable, and financially sustainable service delivery while fostering a collaborative culture and strengthening community trust. The Vice President serves as a key member of the executive leadership team and reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer.

Essential Duties

• Coordinate long‑range planning for electric distribution, transmission, and fiber broadband systems.


• Drive strategic initiatives including grid modernization, fiber expansion, automation, resiliency, and reliability improvements.


• Oversee development and execution of strategic plans, performance metrics, and organizational priorities.


• Direct engineering, construction, maintenance, and operations for distribution and transmission systems. Oversees reliability programs. 


• Ensure compliance with NERC, SERC, TVA, and other regulatory requirements.


• Lead outage management, storm response, and emergency operations with a strong commitment to safety.


• Oversee fiber optic cable design, construction, maintenance, and network operations.


• Manages dark and lit fiber services, pricing models, customer contracts, and service-level commitments. Guide expansion of the fiber backbone.


• Ensure compliance with FCC and GFiber service level agreement for fiber network performance and reliability.


• Maintain strong relationships with TVA, APPA, TVPPA, ECA, and other industry groups.


• Work closely with CIO and VPEE on related cybersecurity, physical security, risk assessments, and disaster recovery planning.

Additional Duties

• Ensure robust safety programs, policies, and continuous improvement in safety culture.


• Develop and oversee apprenticeship programs, technical training, and employee development pathways.


• Build high‑performance teams through coaching, mentoring, and succession planning.


• Promote engineering / operations integration and cross‑functional teamwork.


• Manage multi‑million‑dollar operating and capital budgets for electric and fiber divisions.


• Conduct analytical reviews, problem‑solving assessments, and ROI evaluations for major initiatives.


• Represent the utility in public forums, community events, and regional industry groups.


• Communicate system performance, project updates, and service impacts clearly and professionally.


• Build strong relationships with customers, city leadership, and community partners.


• Champion customer service excellence across electric and fiber operations.

Job Requirements

Education/Training/Certifications:    B.S. Degree in electrical engineering, related science, or business discipline required.  Master’s degree in related field desired.  PE license is desired. Other professional licenses pertaining to utilities are also desired.

Experience/Skills: Ten (10) years of progressive management experience in the electric utility industry required.  Experience with fiber optic systems and lit fiber operations preferred.

Additional Requirements

Equipment:  Personal computer, telephone, vehicle.

Physical Demands/Environmental Conditions:  Sedentary work in office environment.  Occasional exposure to inclement weather.   Must be able to deal with multiple priorities and short deadlines.

Other:  Must possess excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills.   Subject to recall during system emergencies.

Competencies