Director, Enterprise Data Science & AI

Requisition ID # 165984 

Job Category: Accounting / Finance 

Job Level: Director/Chief

Business Unit: Information Technology

Work Type: Hybrid

Job Location: Oakland

Department Overview

The Enterprise Data Science (DS) & Artificial Intelligence (AI) organization supports the Data Science and AI practitioners in an enterprise-wide Hub & Spoke analytics adoption model. The Department works cross-functionally across the company to enable data driven decisions applying analytics, as well as improvements to relevant business processes and ultimately to drive PG&E’s transition to the sustainable grid of the future. Deployed to some of PG&E’s highest priority areas, the Department does not specialize in a traditional utility domain, such as asset management or program administration, but instead specializes in extracting useful insights from disparate data sets and facilitating actions informed by these insights.

This organization also listens to the needs of data science and AI practitioners across the company in a center of excellence (COE) model, is a thought leader in emerging industry practices, and builds standards, processes, tools, knowledge and best practices that meet the current and future needs of the enterprise. This team works on a wide variety of difficult problems, offering great variety in the work, and constant opportunity to explore and learn.

This team works on a wide range of difficult problems, offering great variety in the work, and constant opportunity to explore and learn. Current and past engagements include:

• AI Leadership. Act as the face of AI at PG&E, ensure AI success and lead IT AI committee, establish/maintain external relationships, stay abreast of latest developments, connect and align AI work across the company.
• AI Roadmap & Strategy. Lead collaborative efforts, help ensure execution of the roadmap and strategy.
• AI Governance across internal PG&E partners involved with COE owning and driving the work.
• AI Education & Best Practices. focused primarily on those in the data science job family but often extends to all coworkers.
• MLOps Program Ownership. Assist functional areas with best practices and tools to deploy and maintain AI.
• AI Consulting & Scoping. Assist functional areas as they build their AI strategy, provide technical review of vendor solutions, offer free workshops and scoping sessions.

Position Summary

PG&E is looking for a Director to lead this critical function. The successful candidate will be uniquely positioned at the forefront of utility industry analytics, and have the opportunity to advance PG&E’s triple bottom line of People, Planet, and Prosperity. Working as part of cross functional teams, including data engineers, data scientists, technologists, subject matter experts, and change management professionals – this individual will lead the development of data driven solutions for strategic decision making and operational processes. The responsibilities of the position include:

• Leads the Center of Excellence (COE) for data science
• Builds data science capability both within the COE and across the enterprise
• Directs multi-year strategy aimed at increasing the rigor of analytical models, methodologies, and visualizations/communications.
• Presents findings and makes recommendations to officers and cross-functional management
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with business units and external agencies.
• Accountable for department budget (expense, capital, and expenditures) and impact on customer affordability.
• Identifies gaps and overlaps in portfolio of quantitative models and data science applications needed to support company. Then directs the resolution of issues through development of appropriate analysis, model or tool.
• Identifies and implements process improvement at the department level.

This position is hybrid, working from your remote office and the Oakland General Office(OGO) based on business needs. 

Reporting Relationship

This position reports to the Vice President, Chief Data Analytics Officer.

Job Responsibilities

• Directs multi-year strategy aimed at increasing the rigor of analytical models, methodologies, and visualizations/communications.
• Builds and influences thought leadership on emerging data technology and trends.
• Advances the application of the most salient data tools and methodologies to drive business goals and customer value.
• Presents findings and makes recommendations to officers and cross-functional management
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with business units and external agencies.
• Accountable for department budget (expense, capital, and expenditures) and impact on customer affordability.
• Identifies gaps and overlaps in portfolio of quantitative models and data science applications needed to support company. Then directs the resolution of issues through development of appropriate analysis, model, or tool.
• Identifies and implements process improvement at the department level.

Leadership Qualities

PG&E expects its leaders to conduct themselves with the highest ethics and integrity and to embody specific leadership qualities.

Strategic Mindset

• Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies.
• Operating effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear.

A Leader in the Community and Industry

• Effectively building formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization.
• Anticipating and balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders.

Demonstrates Safety Leadership

• A safety champion in words and deeds with respect to both employee and public safety.
• Maintaining an environment of open dialog and free of retaliation.

Influences and Inspires

• Using various- communications that convey a clear understanding of the needs of different audiences.
• Maneuvering comfortably through complex policy, process, and people-related dynamics.

Optimizes Team Performance

• Building strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.
• Creating a climate where people are developed and motivated to do their best to help the organization.

Values Diversity and Creates Inclusion

• Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.

Fiscally Responsible

• Interpreting and applying understanding of key financial indicators to make better business decisions.
• Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.

Leads Ethically and in a Compliant Manner

• Sponsoring and sustaining a high integrity speak-up corporate culture which prioritizes ethics, safety and compliance.
• Building on necessary level of industry, company and subject-matter expertise, including laws and regulations.

Provides a High Level of Customer Service

• Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.

Background Qualifications

Minimum 

• Bachelor’s degree in applied sciences, sustainability, econometrics, statistics, mathematics, computer science, data science, environmental engineering, electrical engineering or other applicable discipline OR equivalent experience
• 10 years of relevant professional experience. A relevant master’s degree can be substituted for two years of experience; a relevant PhD can be substituted for five years of experience
• Leadership experience, job related, 5 years

Desired 

• Advanced degree in applied sciences, sustainability, econometrics, statistics, mathematics, computer science, data science, environmental engineering, electrical engineering or other applicable discipline
• Data Science people leadership, 5 years
• Utility industry experience, electric or gas, or other job-related, 7 years
• Experience in a leadership role, on complex, high risk projects
• Experience in strategic planning or other related efforts
• Demonstrated track record and proficiency in the following:
• Competency in anticipating and f communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Partners with leaders to drive high performance in their line of business. Develop deep understanding of business drivers and financial levers to provide strategic decision support.
• Ability to apply change management theories, concepts, methods, best practices and techniques as needed to perform at the job level.
• Applying knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization’s goals.