The Company

It’s an optimal time to join SMUD and make a dramatic impact on the company, its customers and community, and achievement of its ambitious goals.

SMUD at a glance:

• Population in our service area: 1.6 million
• Size of our service area: 900 square miles
• Total accounts served (residential + business): approximately 674,000
• Number of SMUD employees: 2,397
• Miles of power lines we own: 10,473
• Power from non-carbon-emitting resources: 65%
• 2025 peak demand 2,797 megawatts
• 2025 Retail Load / Energy Demand (GWh) 10,656

Purpose of the Position and Key Responsibilities

Through its strategic direction policies, SMUD’s Board of Directors establishes the purpose, values and vision of SMUD, along with the results that it wants SMUD to achieve. The CEO works closely and collaboratively with the Board and is responsible for carrying out the strategic direction policies established by the Board. The CEO establishes a Strategic Plan which outlines SMUD’s goals and provides operational direction for staff to achieve the Board’s policies. Goals include:

• Safety and Reliability: World class safety and reliability.
• Environmental Leadership: Zero carbon by 2030.
• Community Vitality: Strengthening all communities equitably.
• Affordability: Cap rate increases at or below inflation.
• Organizational Agility: Build and inclusive high trust culture and accelerate innovation.

Through a regular monitoring process, the Board of Directors evaluates whether SMUD is achieving the goals set out in the strategic direction policies.

The CEO will lead execution of SMUD’s long-term decarbonization, digital transformation, and workforce modernization strategies in alignment with evolving customer, regulatory, and market expectations.

Pursuant to Board Policy for Board/Staff Linkage, and specifically for the Board-Chief Executive Officer and General Manager Relationship, the CEO is responsible for the following:

1. Manage all operations and business affairs of SMUD.
2. Achieve the results established by the Board through its Strategic directions, and within the appropriate         and ethical standards of business conduct set by the Board with a strong emphasis on transparency,               public accountability, and regulatory compliance.
3. Prepare and submit to the Board for approval each year a budget to achieve the Board’s strategic directions.
4. Enforce SMUD ordinances, administer the civil service system (including hiring and terminating of all officers and employees except the Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel and the Board Special Assistant), attend meetings of the Board and report on the general affairs of SMUD, and keep the Board advised as to the needs of SMUD.
5. Establish and enforce a code of ethics applicable to all employees, which provides clear guidelines for ethical standards and conduct.
6. Implement and maintain an integrated enterprise risk management process that identifies, assesses, prudently manages and mitigates a variety of risks facing SMUD.
7. Ensure the smooth continuous operation of SMUD in the event of the planned or unplanned absence of the Chief Executive Officer and General Manager.
8. Interact with the public and other utilities and government agencies, pursuant to policies adopted by the Board. The Chief Executive Officer and General Manager shall assure, in cooperation and consultation with the Board, that SMUD is appropriately represented in the community it serves.
9. Perform other responsibilities as may be delegated by the Board either by resolution or through the Chief Executive Officer and General Manager’s contract of employment.

Additional CEO responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Work as a collaborative partner with the Board of Directors to quickly grasp the dynamics of operating this organization to ensure maximum effectiveness. Demonstrate fluency in policy governance models and proactively support Board development, education, and strategic foresight
• Ensure strong focus and commitment to environmental leadership, community and economic vitality, and technology innovation in order to achieve SMUD’s zero carbon goal as outlined in the IRP.
• Continue to drive positive culture improvements within SMUD.
• Strategically develop and maintain strong relationships and partnerships with organizations and individuals throughout the community to further SMUD’s goals and enhance the quality of life in our region.

The Candidate

Professional Experience/Qualifications

• At least 15 years of demonstrated business success and track record of increasing accomplishments in the Utility or other directly relevant sector.
• At least 10 years of experience at the executive level in general management, line or staff functions with demonstrated bottom line and customer impact along with leading change.
• Broad exposure to Generation, Transmission and Delivery planning and, ideally, strong experience in areas of grid modernization/resiliency, distributed generation technologies and grid integration, renewable energy and e-mobility strategies, business case ROI, and related technology implementation.
• At least five years of experience with a demonstrated track record of accomplishment with larger capital investment project oversight.
• Track record with organizations known for the delivery of top-quartile customer service.
• Proven ability to create and articulate a vision for the future for SMUD that continues in the path of innovation, efficiency, sustainability and environmental stewardship, which takes into account a multitude of uncertain economic and political factors.
• Demonstrated thought leadership; able to shape/influence policy and legislation and then create and articulate strategies in response that enhance benefits to SMUD’s stakeholders.
• Able to also deliver on long-term strategies with comprehensive solutions that ensure success by increasing renewable power generation and storage, continuing the integration and evolution of grid modernization solutions and ensuring continued industry leadership in areas of safety, energy efficiency, grid resiliency and sustainability.
• Politically adept; able to interact effectively at Board level, as well as the highest reaches of relevant state, national and international government & regulatory bodies.
• Effective team builder and mentor who actively seeks and encourages alternative perspectives, diversity & inclusiveness.
• Knowledgeable of relevant government and regulatory requirements; key relationships with other municipal and investor-owned energy utilities in complex and dynamic market regions. Specific experience in California will be considered a plus.
• Ability to work with a structured governance model in which the board sets policy with desired outcomes and measures success, while clearly delegating the "how" to the CEO/General Manager.
• Collaborative leadership style: ability to harness the strengths, insights and capabilities of the organization, the Board, and the broader stakeholder community.

Education

An undergraduate degree is required, and an advanced degree is desired.

Compensation

The salary range for our CEO role is competitive, commensurate with experience and reflects the significant responsibilities of the position. SMUD expects the successful candidate’s starting salary to be from $700,000 to $1,100,000.

SMUD is a CalPERS agency. As a member of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), SMUD offers eligible employees access to a defined benefit pension plan along with other valuable retirement and health benefits. This program helps provide financial security both during your career and after retirement. To learn more about CalPERS and the benefits it offers, please visit www.calpers.ca.gov.

SMUD provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. SMUD complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

SMUD expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of SMUD employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.

Direct Inquiries/ Information

[email protected]