Project Manager, Customer Operations

Description

Job Summary:

The primary purpose of this position is to identify, understand and help improve business issues and processes for all of Retail Energy segment’s markets. The role will help drive entry into new markets or new acquisitions as well as any other new product or services. The incumbent defines and documents customer needs to produce functional requirements and provide functional subject matter expertise for development and customer facing teams. The Project Manager provides comprehensive test cases and oversees thorough testing compliant with SouthStar’s business processes. The position will be responsible for developing project plans for projects and tracking and reporting on milestones and status. The position will also be responsible for providing analytical support for measuring operational improvements. The Project Manager validates and improves customer requirements by verifying adherence to required functionality in delivered solutions, conducting (UAT) user acceptance testing, managing customer change requests and providing the customer with ways to improve their processes by effectively using SouthStar's applications.

Job Responsibilities & Accountabilities by Competency

Functional Expertise:

• Provide project management support for process improvement projects both in Customer Operations and throughout the Retail Energy segment, including idea conception, implementation and monitoring of results.

• Manages aspects of the project including research, analysis, documentation, design/development, testing, negotiation, problem resolution, training, status reporting, implementation, deliverables, project closing and post-rollout review/audit.

• Provide project management support for business and operational readiness related to the Retail Energy segment’s deployment into new markets. This includes coordinating resources from multiple functional areas in support of project requirements and tracking and reporting on progress of all new markets implementation projects.

• Provide project management support for business and operational readiness related to any Retail Energy segment acquisitions.

• Develops and presents project documentation with all project stakeholders.

• Provide project management support for business and operational readiness related to certain system enhancements for all of the Retail Energy segment’s systems and in all markets.

• Develop detailed project plans for implementations and track and report on milestones, dependencies, risks and mitigations.

• Provide regular inputs for Customer Operations business and budget planning and assist with the monthly budget process as needed.

• Assist in supporting call center, billing and back office operations for all markets as needed.

Business Acumen:

• Support system enhancement projects for all markets in the role of Service Quality owner as needed. This includes reviewing and providing feedback on business requirements, functional requirements, test plans, test scenarios, documentation and training materials.

• Assist with developing a long term strategy for systems and operations to support continued growth in all existing and new markets.

• Maintain knowledge of regulatory requirements and changes across all markets.

Engagement:

• Proactively communicate issues, concerns, status or questions to all stakeholders for projects as required in a timely manner.

• Provide liaison between Customer Operations, IT, Business Owners, and Vendors to roll out new operational processes and system changes.

• Liaise with other Retail Energy segment departments and Vendors to develop and launch new operational processes and process improvements as well as develop and implement system changes and enhancements.

• Interact with all levels and departments of the organization such as IT, business owners, and vendors to maintain and update project plans.

• Liaise with Call Center(s) and other departments as required, for providing information on new programs and launches as well as updates relating to system/program issues and changes.

• Serve as a member of each system’s Project Review Committee and advise the committees on projects timelines and priority.

Driving Results:

• Measure ongoing process improvements by creating and implementing associated statistics, reports and/or metrics.

• Provide analytical support in evaluating the Retail Energy segment‘s systems and operations as needed to identify and recommend process improvement opportunities.

Qualifications

Education, Certifications/Licenses:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of applicable experience

Preferred:

• MBA

• PMP Certification, working towards obtaining or approved equivalent which may include experience.

Related Work Experience:

Required:

• Strong communication skills, verbal and written.

• Manage projects independently with limited supervision. Manage all facets of multiple projects, in accordance with company's project management methodology. Manage the development and implementation process of a company's products and/or services.

• Coordinate departmental or cross-functional teams.

• Manage project from initiation through implementation and delivery. Provide planning and direction on schedules and monitoring budget/spending. Guide projects thru to completion on time, with agreed upon scope, within budget meeting and/or exceeding quality standards.

Preferred:

• Retail utility experience

Specific Skills & Knowledge:

Required:

• Strong project management skills

• Be highly organized and a good multi-tasker, take charge and know how to lead and be an effective communicator

• Ability to perform metrics creation, implementation, tracking and reporting for operational departments

• Experience with operational or system requirements gathering. Specifically, soliciting, documenting and reviewing requirements through to approval with multiple business owners.

• Ability to conduct trending and analysis to identify root causes and possible solutions

• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office applications such as Project, Visio, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access

• Ability to work with IT and manage Billing System enhancements by working with end users, defining scope of projects, define cost / benefit justification, define test plan, train end users, and document all processes for successful implementation

• Entrepreneurial focused with a big picture view of all processes

• Ability to lead by example

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; ability to communicate positively and professionally with customers, coworkers and vendors

• Highly service and results-oriented

• Strong relationship management skills

• Strong organizational and problem resolution skills

• Ability to manage and complete multiple high priority projects and activities with time sensitive deadlines

• Ability to work independently under moderate supervision; ability to also operate effectively as a team player, even if located remotely

Preferred:

• Advanced database knowledge (e.g. developing and executing SQL statements, importing data, etc.)

• Demonstrated leadership, team-building and employee management skills

• Contract and Vendor Management experience

• An understanding of business processes and billing systems.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

• This position requires occasional travel (5-20%). The incumbent may be required to travel on occasion.

• The incumbent works in hybrid work environment, in the office/on-site 2-3 days per week, and subject to change as business needs dictate.

Disclaimer:

This information describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this job. The description is not designed to be a comprehensive inventory of duties, responsibilities and qualifications required in the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to qualified disabled individuals for performance of essential duties and responsibilities.

Southern Company Gas provides for the energy needs of millions of U.S. households and businesses. As the largest natural gas-only distribution company in the United States, with more than 150 years of history behind us, we're working to ensure that Americans have access to an abundant, safely delivered supply of natural gas for decades to come. We offer our customers a wide range of energy services under one umbrella: seven regulated utilities as well as non-regulated businesses that offer retail, wholesale and storage services.

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is America's premier energy company, with 46,000 megawatts of generating capacity and 1,500 billion cubic feet of combined natural gas consumption and throughput volume serving 9 million customers through its subsidiaries . The company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy through electric operating companies in four states, natural gas distribution companies in seven states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale customers across America and a nationally recognized provider of customized energy solutions, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications . Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices that are below the national average. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, Southern Company and its subsidiaries are inventing America's energy future by developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, 21st century coal, natural gas, renewables and energy efficiency, and creating new products and services for the benefit of customers. Southern Company has been named by the U.S. Department of Defense and G.I. Jobs magazine as a top military employer, recognized among the Top 50 Companies for Diversity by DiversityInc, listed by Black Enterprise magazine as one of the 40 Best Companies for Diversity and designated a Top Employer for Hispanics by Hispanic Network. The company has earned a National Award of Nuclear Science and History from the National Atomic Museum Foundation for its leadership and commitment to nuclear development and is continually ranked among the top energy companies in Fortune's annual World's Most Admired Electric and Gas Utility rankings. Visit our website at www.southerncompany.com.

Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Job Field: Customer Service

Job Type: Standard

Primary Location: Georgia-Metro Atlanta-Atlanta

Operating Company: SouthStar Energy Services

Job Type: Standard

Travel (Up to...): Yes, 25 % of the Time

Work Location(s):

SouthStar Energy Services - 817 W. Peachtree St., NW (817AtlantaCODE)

817 W. Peachtree St., NW

Atlanta 30318

Req ID: SES2000020