Chief operating officer Jobs in Fort Collins, CO

Posted Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 9 : 00 AM | Expires Friday, January 31, 2025 at 8 : 59 AM

Founded in 1975, Platte River Power Authority (Platte River) is a not-for-profit, community-owned public power utility that generates and delivers safe, reliable, environmentally responsible, and financially sustainable energy and services to its owner communities of Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland, Colorado for delivery to their utility customers.

Application window closes

Thursday, January 30 at 5 : 00 pm MT

Key responsibilities

• Strategic leadership : Develop and communicate the overall strategy for Platte River Power Authority, ensuring alignment with the organization's mission and vision.
• Communication and marketing : Create and implement effective internal and external communication and marketing strategies to promote the organization's goals and initiatives.
• Stakeholder engagement : Serve as the primary representative and liaison with external stakeholders, providing updates on industry trends and strategic direction.
• Public information officer : Act as the Public Information Officer, working closely with the General Manager / CEO and senior management team to manage public relations and information dissemination.
• Business strategy development : Lead the development of business strategies related to community and government affairs, human resources, safety, and efficiency works programs.

The CSO reports directly to the GM / CEO and will have regular interface with the Board of Directors. He or she will manage a division budget of approximately $25 million and a team of approximately 25 individuals responsible for strategic communications, marketing, public and external affairs, community relations, human resources functions including compensation, learning and development, payroll, talent management and acquisition, occupational health and safety, and Platte River’s emergency response team and services.

Other duties the CSO is responsible for include leveraging relationships and participating in various industry associations and organizations, such as the American Public Power Association and Large Public Power Council, and overseeing special projects as assigned by the GM / CEO.

The successful candidate

Qualified candidates must understand utility industry trends, including state and federal regulatory requirements at a detailed level, with demonstrated high-level understanding of utility operations, programs and service offerings, human resources, and safety programs. This senior leader must be able to balance daily operations with long-term strategic planning, prioritize competing demands, and maintain solid knowledge in applicable business areas.

Platte River’s next CSO must interface effectively with government officials, media, special interest groups, staff and community partners. A commitment to quality and continuous improvement, strategic innovative thinking are essential traits of our ideal candidate, as they must be able to lead and influence others, plan, and manage change, and facilitate stakeholder input processes to achieve consensus.

Alignment with the GM / CEO and others on the senior leadership team as well as key stakeholders within Platte River’s owner communities is critical. This leader must be a proactive and transparent communicator who understands and embraces the need for collaborative work across departments and functions.

Platte River requires a minimum of ten years of applicable and progressive leadership experience. In addition, qualified candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree, with a master’s degree considered ideal, in business, engineering, journalism, or a related field.

Compensation, benefits, and relocation

In addition to a competitive base salary, a relocation package will be offered as well as fringe benefits that include a 401(a) defined contribution plan, optional 457 deferred compensation plan, low-cost medical, dental and vision insurance options, typical paid time off and a comp time program.

Full pay range : $346,801 to $502,949 if annualized.

Anticipated hiring range

346,801 to $424,875 if annualized.

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