Senior Vice President of Operations

Join our Growing Team and see why Summit Utilities, Inc was named as one of the Fastest Growing Denver Area Private Companies 2019 and 2020; Best Places to Work in Maine 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; and Best Places to Work in Arkansas 2020 and 2023, Oklahoma 2022 and 2023 and Missouri 2023. Summit was also recently named one of Forbes 2023 America's Best Small Employers. 

Summit is a growing natural gas utility providing safe, reliable and clean burning natural gas service to homes and businesses in Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.  Being part of the Summit team means embracing excellence and innovation, committing to safety each and every day, and doing all that we can to serve each other, our customers and the communities where we live. We aim to bring warmth and energy to everything we do. 

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Vice President of Operations based in Little Rock, Arkansas.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Vice President (SVP) of Operations is a pivotal member of Summit Utilities' executive leadership team, accountable for driving operational strategy, execution, and performance across the enterprise. This role provides executive oversight of Operations, Operations Support, Gas Supply, and Engineering, ensuring that Summit delivers safe, reliable, and sustainable energy for the communities we serve.

As a strategic partner to the CEO, COO, and Board of Directors, the SVP will shape operational priorities, steward critical infrastructure investments, and forge strong regulatory and stakeholder relationships. This executive balances near term operational excellence with long term innovation, positioning Summit to remain resilient, competitive, and customer focused in a rapidly evolving energy landscape.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Define and execute operational strategies that align with corporate objectives, regulatory requirements, and customer needs.
• Lead enterprise-wide operational excellence initiatives to drive safety, reliability, efficiency, and cost effectiveness.
• Oversee modernization of transmission, distribution, and system assets to ensure long term sustainability.

 Capital Stewardship & Financial Leadership

• Direct multiyear operating and capital budgets, ensuring disciplined fiscal management and alignment with growth priorities.
• Provide executive oversight of major infrastructure projects, modernization efforts, and system expansions, ensuring projects are delivered on time and under budget.
• Optimize allocation of workforce, technology, and capital resources to maximize value, resilience, and operational agility.

 Risk, Safety & Resilience

• Champion a safety-first culture fostering accountability and compliance at every organizational level.
• Identify, anticipate and mitigate operational, environmental, and safety risks, implementing robust controls and response frameworks.
• Lead the development, execution, and continual refinement of enterprise crisis response, disaster recovery, and resiliency plans.

 Regulatory & Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent Summit with regulators, policymakers, and industry associations engaging on relevant policy, safeguarding company interests, and maintaining regulatory compliance.
• Serve as an ambassador to external stakeholders, strengthening trust, transparency, and corporate alignment with community needs.
• Report operational performance, priorities, and emerging challenges to the Board and executive team at regular intervals and as needed.

 Leadership & Talent Development

• Mentor, coach and develop a high performing team of operational executives and senior leaders.
• Ensure succession readiness and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Foster an environment of fairness, respect, and broad organizational engagement throughout all levels of the company.

 EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE 

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (ABET accredited), Business, or a related field required, with a preference for Engineering.
• Advanced degree (MBA, MS Engineering, or equivalent) strongly preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in the natural gas or regulated utility sector, including 10 years in senior/executive operational leadership roles.
• Demonstrated expertise in large scale operations management, capital program execution, regulatory affairs, and enterprise risk management.

 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES  

• Deep knowledge of utility operations, safety standards, regulatory compliance, and industry best practices.
• Strategic business acumen with proven track record of success in operational transformation, financial oversight, and innovation.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence at the Board, regulatory, and community levels.
• Exceptional stakeholder management, communication, and negotiation skills for building partnerships with executives and external entities.
• Proven ability to champion continuous improvement and adoption of emerging technologies.
• Commitment to recruiting, developing, and leading high-performing, teams with broad representation in a dynamic, complex environment.

Summit offers competitive pay and medical/dental/vision and other benefits that provide flexibility, choice, and support to our employees when they need it most. We understand that home and family are essential pieces of your life, and our benefits are designed to support you both at work and at home.  

Summit Utilities, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability or veteran status.