Program Manager - Grid Intelligence

CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. 

Our Vision: Our vision is to become the most admired utility in the United States through the execution of our long-term growth strategy. We have an unwavering commitment to safely and reliably deliver electricity and natural gas to millions of people. 

Our Commitment: CenterPoint Energy is committed to creating an inclusive work environment where business results are achieved through the skills, abilities and talents of our diverse workforce.

At CenterPoint Energy, individuals are respected for their contributions toward our company objectives. We strive for an inclusive work environment across all levels that is reflective of the available workforce in the communities we serve. 

Job Summary

The Program Manager – Grid Intelligence is responsible for leading the planning, execution, integration, and delivery of the utility's next-generation Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI 2.0) program.

This position provides end-to-end program leadership across smart meters, communications networks, meter data management, grid-edge technologies, enterprise system integration, operational analytics, and business transformation.

The Program Manager will partner with cross-functional teams across Metering, Distribution Operations, Engineering, IT/OT, Telecommunications, Customer Operations, Cybersecurity, Supply Chain, Regulatory, Finance, and external technology partners. 

The role is accountable not only for successful technology deployment but also for ensuring AMI 2.0 capabilities produce measurable improvements in safety, reliability, customer experience, operational efficiency, grid visibility, and capital optimization.

Essential Functions

• Program Management & Execution — Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of the AMI 2.0 program, including scope, schedule, budget, resources, milestones, dependencies, risks, and deliverables to ensure successful implementation of program objectives.
• Cross-Functional Leadership — Partner with stakeholders across Metering, Distribution Operations, Engineering, IT/OT, Telecommunications, Customer Operations, Cybersecurity, Supply Chain, Finance, Regulatory, GIS, and other business areas to advance shared workstreams and program objectives.
• Systems Integration — Partner and coordinate integration between AMI and key utility platforms, including HES, MDMS, GIS, OMS, ADMS, SCADA, DERMS, CIS, asset management, work management, and analytics platforms.
• Grid Intelligence Enablement — Coordinate development and implementation of AMI 2.0 capabilities supporting Transformer Intelligence, Voltage Intelligence, Power Quality, Reliability Intelligence, DER Intelligence, Meter Health, and other grid-edge use cases.
• Vendor & Contract Management — Manage technology vendors, system integrators, contractors, and other strategic partners. Monitor contractual commitments, schedules, service-level agreements, technical performance, product quality, issue resolution, and vendor deliverables.
• Program Financial Management — Develop and manage program capital and O&M budgets, forecasts, expenditures, financial risks, and business-case assumptions. Identify opportunities to improve program economics and optimize investment.
• Risk & Issue Management — Establish and maintain program-level risk, issue, dependency, and decision-management processes. Develop mitigation strategies and escalate significant risks to appropriate leadership.
• Testing & Deployment Readiness — Coordinate laboratory testing, field pilots, system integration testing, user acceptance testing, vendor certification, cybersecurity validation, deployment readiness, and production acceptance.
• Operational Readiness & Transition — Ensure new AMI 2.0 technologies and capabilities are successfully transitioned into sustainable business operations, including processes, procedures, training, support models, system ownership, maintenance, and performance monitoring.
• Change Management & Stakeholder Engagement — Partner with business leaders and change-management teams to prepare employees and organizations for new technologies, processes, responsibilities, and ways of working resulting from AMI 2.0.
• Executive Reporting & Governance — Develop executive dashboards, program scorecards, steering-committee materials, status reports, and recommendations covering schedule, financial performance, risks, technology readiness, deployment progress, and realized benefits.
• Performance Management & KPIs — Establish and monitor program performance indicators including meter deployment, communications performance, data availability, system reliability, installation quality, meter health, operational adoption, and financial performance.
• Benefits Realization — Establish processes to identify, validate, measure, and track AMI 2.0 benefits, including O&M savings, avoided truck rolls, improved outage restoration, transformer optimization, voltage management, capital deferral, improved customer experience, and reliability improvements.
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation — Evaluate emerging AMI, grid-edge, DER, analytics, AI, communications, and distribution technologies and coordinate pilots or proof-of-concept initiatives that support the utility's long-term grid modernization strategy.

Education Description

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Information Technology, Project Management, or related discipline preferred

Experience

• 8–12+ years of utility, infrastructure, technology, or large-program experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex, cross-functional programs.
• Strong understanding of electric distribution operations and/or AMI technologies.
• Experience managing large budgets, schedules, vendors, risks, and executive stakeholders.
• Strong executive communication and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams across organizational boundaries.

We want you to know
Being a part of the CenterPoint Energy team is more than a career alone. It's an opportunity to make a positive impact. You will be an integral part of enabling everyday life and the pursuit of possibilities for the customers we serve and the communities we share. The vital services we provide are at the core of making our world work, and by sharing your energy with us, we'll create a better tomorrow together. 
 

What we bring to you

• Competitive pay
• Paid training
• Benefits eligibility begins on your first day
• Transit subsidies
• Flexible work schedule, paid holidays and paid time off
• Access to discounts at fitness clubs and an on-site wellness center at our headquarters in Houston
• Professional growth and development programs including tuition reimbursement
• 401(k) Savings Plan featuring a company match dollar-for-dollar up to 6% and a company contribution of 3% regardless of your contribution

Job Type: Full Time 
Posting Start Date: 11/11/2026​
Posting End Date: 11/18/2026

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a), and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability.

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