Manager, Distribution Planning

Multiple New England office locations in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut

Hybrid Schedule Available

A large electric utility is seeking a Manager of Distribution Reliability & Resiliency Planning to provide leadership for system performance initiatives across a multi-state service territory. This individual will oversee a team responsible for reliability analysis, resiliency strategy, predictive planning, and long-term distribution system performance.

The position will lead the development of tools, processes, and planning methodologies designed to improve service reliability, strengthen system resilience, and support evolving customer and regulatory expectations. The successful candidate will work across planning, engineering, operations, asset management, and regulatory groups to identify system needs and develop cost-effective improvement strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a technical team focused on reliability and resiliency planning for the electric distribution system.
• Develop planning methodologies, performance metrics, and analytical tools used to identify system vulnerabilities and prioritize infrastructure investments.
• Utilize historical operating data, engineering studies, and predictive analytics to evaluate system performance and recommend improvement programs.
• Drive initiatives aimed at reducing customer outages, outage duration, equipment failures, and storm-related impacts.
• Collaborate with planning and engineering teams to align reliability and resiliency objectives with broader distribution system needs, including load growth, electrification, and distributed energy resource integration.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and infrastructure solutions that can improve system performance during normal operating conditions and major events.
• Support climate adaptation and long-range resiliency initiatives through risk assessments and strategic planning efforts.
• Work closely with regulatory, rates, finance, and policy teams to support business cases, performance metrics, regulatory filings, and other stakeholder requirements.
• Develop cost-benefit analyses and investment strategies for reliability and resiliency programs.
• Lead benchmarking efforts and evaluate industry best practices to support continuous improvement.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to engineers and planning professionals.
• Manage consultants, vendors, and external partners engaged in planning and analytical projects.
• Support emergency response and restoration activities when required.

Desired Background

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering required.
• Advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience within electric utility distribution planning, system planning, reliability engineering, or a related field.
• Prior leadership or people-management experience.
• Strong understanding of electric distribution system design, operations, and planning principles.
• Experience evaluating reliability and resiliency performance using engineering studies, operational data, and analytical tools.
• Knowledge of distribution system modeling platforms and planning software.
• Familiarity with grid modernization initiatives, automation technologies, distributed energy resources, and advanced distribution applications.
• Experience working within a regulated utility environment preferred.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to present technical information to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects and cross-functional initiatives.

Why This Opportunity?

This role offers the opportunity to influence long-term reliability and resiliency strategy for a large electric utility while leading a highly visible planning function. The successful candidate will work on challenges related to grid modernization, climate resilience, emerging technologies, distributed energy resources, and evolving system performance expectations.