Director, Regional System Operation - Oahu

HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC CO.; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 184,000 - 243,000; Full time

Job summary

Hawaiian Electric Companies in Honolulu seeks a Director for the P NW GM SYSTEM OPERATION Division. The role leads regional operations, improves safety and reliability, and drives strategic initiatives.

The incumbent manages staffing, budgeting, and program delivery to ensure high customer value while upholding WeConnect standards. Requirements include extensive leadership experience, deep utility knowledge, and the ability to oversee regulatory activities and emergency response planning in a

Qualifications

• Management knowledge from college-level courses in organizational behavior, accounting, finance, economics, statistics or HR.
• Engineering knowledge from advanced college coursework or related electric utility experience.
• Strong understanding of energy and electrical utility operations and OT interfaces.

Responsibilities

• Lead regional divisions to ensure safety, reliability, and customer service excellence.
• Oversee policy development and strategic programs aligned with the transformation plan.
• Manage staffing, budget, forecasting, and procurement to sustain operations.
• Coordinate cross-area projects, procedures, and operator training for performance.
• Represent the division in regulatory or legal proceedings and with the public.

Skills

Supervisory leadership

Communication skills

Conflict resolution

Team collaboration

Training ability

Job description

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Company: hawaiianel

We recognize our competitive advantage -- our people. We believe in our people, who share our vision of meeting the needs of our employees, customers, and communities and who carry out the continued success of the company.

Our employees are committed to the company's foundational values: integrity, excellence, teamwork, environmental stewardship, and community commitment. In turn, we invest in our employees, providing opportunities for challenge and advancement and offering a competitive compensation package.

Applications will be screened based on the information provided; in order to assist us in determining qualifications, please upload a current resume and take some time to update your employment information, certifications, etc. The information will flow over to your profile.

Posting End Date: This position will remain open until filled. Early applications are highly encouraged.

Brief Posting Description

The P NW GM SYSTEM OPERATION Department of the P GM SYSTEM OPERATION Division at Hawaiian Electric Company has 1 Management vacancy available. (Role: Director)

Job Function

Develops and executes process area business strategy and alignment framework; prepares and implements comprehensive business plans to facilitate achieved outcomes. Oversees all process area business operations to ensure the delivery of safe, reliable, cost-effective, clean energy across all service territories. Fosters exceptional customer service, champions change, and ensures process area goals, objectives, and results complement our strategic transformation plan.

Essential Functions

• Regional System Operation Management
  • Leads the regional divisions in ensuring the execution of safety and operational excellence, optimal system reliability, operating requirements, and business continuity. Ensures exceptional customer service through 1) leading the development of programs and activities to ensure the delivery of safe, reliable and economical electric service, and upholding power quality to customers to ensure high customer value, 2) enforces continuous improvement best-practices such as LEAN Six Sigma to enhance and achieve high performance with a safety mindset and operational excellence, 3) ensures staffing requirements, resources, forecasts, and procurements are slated according to budget to sustain operative business continuity, 4) cultivates change through continuous improvement plans to ensure employee competencies and system operating tools are ahead of the technology evolution in our ever-changing industry, and 5) supports our Company’s service promise & standards, WeConnect philosophies and decision priorities, and core values permeate through the division’s daily activities.
• Strategic System Operation and Geospatial Operation
  • Oversees the development and implementation of policies, programs, and strategies in support of the company’s strategic transformation plan. Ensures initiatives are in compliance to safety, regulatory, environmental, corporate policies, PPAs, and paralleling agreements. Establishes the key performance metrics and goals, develops, and provides the associated reports identifying trends, and opportunities for continuous process improvement.
  • Manages the interdependences between employee training and development and operational performance to meet current business needs with emerging technologies.
• People and Regional Division Management
• Leads the Regional personnel and resources, employee engagement, collective bargaining agreement contractual interpretations, two-way communication, performance appraisals, recognition of employee achievements, safety and/or disciplinary actions.
• Provides oversight by participating in collaborative efforts across process areas regarding projects, initiatives, committees, processes, or possible changes to operating procedures or to the operations of the electrical grid in each service territory. Primary spokesperson to address escalated customer complaints regarding electrical services (e.g., complaints made to Executives, PUC, or CA or through other public liaisons).
• Represents the Division in regulatory and legal proceedings such as rate cases, formal investigations, grievances/arbitrations, and/or union contract negotiations. Serves as a company representative to the public on operational matters.
• Serves as key General and Command Staff roles in the IMT organization and ensures System Operation Branch personnel are ICs certified and organizationally structured within the NIMS framework. Oversees the establishment of the sufficient blackstart capabilities and system restoration plans across all service territories; oversees the system activities during a system restoration event.
• Participates in Company emergency response activities as assigned, including any activities required to prepare for such emergency response.

Basic Qualifications

Knowledge Requirements

• Proven management knowledge normally acquired through college level courses in organizational behavior, accounting, finance, economics, statistics, or human resources.
• Thorough engineering technical knowledge normally acquired through advanced college level courses, or a combination of such courses and work experience in an electric utility organization.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of energy and electrical utility operations and associated interdependencies of operational technology solutions, architecture, and interfaces.
• Thorough knowledge of policies and procedures in such documents as Company/Union agreement, Accident Prevention Manual, General Information Manual etc.

Skills Requirements

• Demonstrated strong supervisory/leadership skills including effective written, oral, and listening communication skills; conflict resolution skills; the ability to work with a variety of individuals and the willingness and ability to train.
• Demonstrated in-depth analytical and administrative skills; excellent organizational, entrepreneurial, and collaborative skills to grow the business unit.
• Demonstrated strong adaptability, ability to navigate transformation and drive changed behaviors in a demanding work environment and innovation skills to create an agile workforce to rapidly changing priorities and emerging technologies.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license issued by the State of Hawaii or another U.S. state. Must meet the standards for driving positions stated in the Hiring Standards for Driving Positions policy. These standards may be adjusted periodically to meet business and safety needs.

Experience Requirements

• Extensive (10+) years of supervisory experience.
• Extensive (10+) years of technical experience in system planning, engineering, operations, or construction.

Role: Director

Number of Vacancies: 1

Location: Honolulu - Oahu

Hiring Range: The hiring range for the Director, Regional System Operation [Req ID 10680] position is $183,500.00 to $243,100.00. The person selected will be placed according to his/her skills and qualifications.

About Hawaiian Electric Companies

Hawaiian Electric Companies provide electricity and services to 95 percent of the state's 1.4 million residents. The company is also one of the state's leading employers and a major contributor and supporter of community and educational programs.

The demand for power that has fueled the growth of the Hawaiian Islands has been met by Hawaiian Electric Companies for well over a century. And as the next millennium unfolds, the company is committed to providing quality service and seeking clean local energy sources to power generations of Hawaii families and businesses to come. Visit us at http://hawaiianelectric.com.

Applicant Certification

• By submitting an application for the position, candidates:
  1. Authorize the Hawaiian Electric Companies to confirm all statements contained in the application and/or any materials submitted and made a part of the application as they relate to the position and to the extent permitted by law;
  2. Authorize and consent to, without reservation, the Hawaiian Electric Companies sharing any and all information regarding previous or present employment, educational training or personal information from their records and from any other source with the hiring department or subsidiary company;
  3. Release, discharge, and hold harmless, Hawaiian Electric Companies, from any and all liability for any damage which may be claimed as a result of furnishing such information to the hiring department or subsidiary company;
  4. Authorizes release and transfer of all personnel records to be maintained by the hiring company in the event of an inter-company transfer; and
  5. Authorize, direct, and consent to Hawaiian Electric Companies and/or its authorized agents to conduct investigations into candidates' background. These investigations may include, but are not limited to searches for information about applicants; record of criminal convictions to the extent permitted by law, education records, professional certifications, personal character references, and employment history.

EEO Statement

Hawaiian Electric Companies is an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Hawaiian Electric Companies complies with all applicable laws, including Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Any request for reasonable accommodation needed during the application process should be communicated by the candidate to the HR Service Center at [phone].

Affiliate Disclaimer

The relationship between Hawaiian Electric and unregulated, energy-related affiliate companies is governed by the Affiliate Transaction Requirements (ATRs) established by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The ATRs were established with the PUC's Decision and Order No. 35962 issued on December 19, 2018, and subsequently modified by Order No. 36112, issued on January 24, 2019, in Docket No. 2018-0065. With Decision and Order No. 42409, issued on March 23, 2026, in Docket No. 2025-0391, the PUC indefinitely suspended certain sections of the ATRs.

The ATRs address many issues related to Hawaiian Electric's interactions and transactions with Affiliates and Affiliate-Related Entities. If you'd like more information about these rules/regulations, you can email [e-mail] .