Director, Operational Performance & Planning

American Water Co.; Camden, Northern (NJ, KY); Hybrid; USD 175,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

American Water is seeking a Director of Operational Performance & Planning to lead the Operational Performance & Planning group within the Operational Excellence Team. You will design standardized metrics, report across enterprise levels, and drive continuous improvement in performance.

Ideal candidates bring 15+ years in Operations/Finance, with 5+ years in leadership and a Bachelor's in engineering/finance/accounting (MBA preferred).

Qualifications

• 15+ years of work experience in Operations or Finance.
• 5+ years in a leadership position with direct reports and matrix reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct the Operational Performance & Planning group within the Operational Excellence Team.
• Design and develop standardized operational performance metrics reported enterprise-wide.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to collect data for timely reporting.
• Publish reports for AW enterprise, state, and local leadership to monitor performance.
• Drive performance improvements and lead benchmarking against peers and industry standards.
• Forecast performance metrics and identify gaps and risks to future targets.
• Oversee multiple performance improvement initiatives across regions.
• Develop advanced analytics capabilities including workforce/resource planning.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Data analytics

KPI development

Stakeholder management

Project management

People management

Communication

Financial acumen

Education

Bachelor's degree (engineering/finance/accounting)

MBA preferred

Job description

Director, Operational Performance & Planning

Requisition ID: 110398

Share Our Purpose. Be Yourself. Feel Valued.

People are the heart of our business. As an American Water employee, you will be offered a competitive salary and health benefits package, along with opportunities to develop, grow, and evolve your career. Our benefits packages focus on key areas such as health & wellness, emotional & well-being, and savings for current & future goals.

We are Beautifully Different . We strongly believe having diversity across our company makes us more successful and helps us provide essential services to our customers. We are stronger because we embrace different ideas, viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds. American Water is the best choice for your next role! Click here for more information on our inclusion, diversity, and equity journey.

About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

For more information, visit amwater.com and joinAmerican Water on LinkedIn , Facebook , X and Instagram .

Position Information

$175,000 - $190,000

The base salary range represents a good faith salary range for this position. This position is eligible for annual incentive pay and has the opportunity for continued salary growth. If you are hired at American Water your base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as market, geography, skills, education and/or experience. At American Water, we are committed to pay equity.

In addition to compensation, you will be offered a comprehensive benefits package including 401(k),Defined Contribution Plan, EmployeeStock Purchase Plan, medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage, plus disability, paid time off, life insurance, voluntary benefits,health and wellness programs and much more!

American Water is also proud to offer employees learning opportunities and work experiences to grow profession

Primary Role

The Dir, Operational Performance & Planning is responsible for leading and directing the Operational Performance & Planning group within the Operational Excellence Team, responsible for the design and development of standardized operational performance metrics that are reported at the AW enterprise, State, and local District level to measure business performance accurately and reliably, using standardized sources of data.

Key Accountabilities

• Partner and liaise with internal stakeholders and functions to collect performance metric data required for accurate and timely reporting.
• Publish and present reports at different enterprise-levels that contain performance metric results to provide AW, State, and local District leadership with visibility into business performance across operations and related functions.
• Direct the analysis of performance metrics to gain insight into key drivers of business performance at the Service Company, State, and local District enterprise-levels. Partner with the business to identify root cause analysis of performance challenges and support corrective action planning to return performance to desired levels.
• Oversee and deliver a portfolio of business performance improvement initiatives amongst Service Company, State and local District leaders.
• Direct benchmarking of performance metrics to gain a sense for business performance relative to enterprise peers and overall industry standards.
• Develop forecasting of performance metrics to estimate future business performance at the enterprise-levels of the Service Company, to States, to local Districts, and identify gaps and risks to achieving future forecasts.
• Lead enterprise-wide projects and initiatives to drive continuous improvements in operational performance in key strategic areas of focus.
• Develop advanced analytical capabilities in new areas of the business, including workforce and resource planning, to identify opportunities for productivity improvements, support more effective resource planning to compliment financial planning, and understand the resource needs/impacts related to new company initiatives and changes in operational standards and requirements.

Knowledge/Skills

• Sound knowledge of utility/business processes.
• Working knowledge of new technology and current trends in water quality, water treatment, developer services and other related water resource management disciplines.
• Thorough understanding of, and ability to apply, key principles of P&L management, marketing, pricing, offer strategy, financial analysis, and technology principles.
• Expertise in the development of metrics, KPI's and overall business intelligence architecture.
• Strong operational expertise
• Strong understanding of data management, integrity, and controls
• Strong process, project, and program management skills
• Strong quantitative skills (e.g., analytical, technical, problem solving)
• Effective people management skills (e.g., planning, organizing, recruiting, controlling, and leading individual staff and teams)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills (e.g., fluency in report writing and presentations)
• Effective interpersonal skills (e.g., persuasion, negotiation, listening, cooperation, tact, diplomacy, problem solving, internal consulting)
• Leadership presence (e.g., ability to deal effectively and maintain collaborative relationships with Company senior management and other key stakeholders)

Experience/Education

• Bachelor's Degree required, preferably in engineering, finance, or accounting. MBA preferred.
• 15+ years of work experience in Operations or Finance required.
• 5+ years in a leadership position with direct reports and matrix reports

Travel Requirements

• As necessary, up to 10%

Other

• This is a people leader position with 3 – 4 direct reports and 8-10 matrix reports

Work Environment

• Primarily indoor office environment

Competencies

Manages Complexity Ensures Accountability Directs Work Develops Talent Builds Effective Teams Balances Stakeholders

Join American Water... We Keep Life Flowing

American Water is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based on his or her age, race, color, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, citizenship, or because they arean individual with a disability, protected veteran or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws.

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