Energy and Utilities Senior Principal - Business Strategy

Cellco Partnership; Basking Ridge (NJ); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Verizon is seeking a Senior Utilities Principal to bridge complex technical solutions with critical business objectives within the MEU Practice of Verizon Business Group. You will drive innovation strategy for major enterprise clients across the U.S.

utilities sector and engage with C-suite leaders to shape partnerships and outcomes. You will lead cross-functional teams on grid modernization, Private 5G, NaaS, and cybersecurity initiatives, and collaborate across MEU, Public Sector, and IoT

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or 4+ years of equivalent work experience.
• Eight or more years of relevant work experience in utility or energy sector technology, private wireless networks, critical infrastructure sales, or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic growth of Verizon's MEU Practice for U.S. utilities clients including IOUs, MOUs, and electric co-ops.
• Lead pipeline development for Private 5G, NaaS, SD-WAN, and SASE initiatives with Client Partners and Regional Sales Leaders.
• Engage senior utility executives and analysts to shape go-to-market strategy and ecosystem partnerships.
• Provide guidance on grid modernization, critical infrastructure security, and digital transformation initiatives.
• Collaborate with Public Sector, Product, and IoT teams to identify repeatable solutions and deployment opportunities.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Executive stakeholder engagement

Grid modernization knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree or 4+ years experience

Tools

Private 5G

NaaS

SD-WAN

SASE

Job description

When you join Verizon

You want more out of a career. A place to share your ideas freely - even if they're daring or different. Where the true you can learn, grow, and thrive. At Verizon, we power and empower how people live, work and play by connecting them to what brings them joy. We do what we love - driving innovation, creativity, and impact in the world. Our V Team is a community of people who anticipate, lead, and believe that listening is where learning begins. In crisis and in celebration, we come together - lifting our communities and building trust in how we show up, everywhere & always. Want in? Join the #VTeamLife.

The Senior Utilities Principal serves as a vital bridge between complex technical solutions and critical business objectives, applying deep utilities industry expertise and strategic vision to deliver optimal customer outcomes within Verizon Business Group (VBG)'s Manufacturing, Energy & Utilities (MEU) Practice. This role is designed to initiate, drive, and manage the overall innovation strategy for key enterprise clients across the U.S. utilities sector.

Engaging directly with executive-level leaders-from C-suite to VP, including utility CIOs, CTOs, and Operational Technology (OT) leaders-the Senior Utilities Principal builds joint partnerships for grid modernization, critical infrastructure security, and digital transformation. This position serves as a key thought leader within VBG, strengthening Verizon's credibility through expert client engagement, business development, and strategic ecosystem relationships.

Core Responsibilities:

• Strategic Growth & Business Development
• Drive strategic growth of Verizon's business with Global Enterprise and Public Sector customers across the utilities sector, including Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs), Municipal-Owned Utilities (MOUs), and electric cooperatives, with a particular focus on grid modernization, Private 5G, Field Area Networks, and IoT segments.
• Initiate, guide, and execute pipeline opportunities for both existing run-rate business and strategic advanced solutions-including Private 5G, NaaS, SD-WAN, and SASE-in partnership with Client Partners and Regional Sales Leaders.
• Support large VBG utility opportunities and pipeline growth across key vectors, including grid modernization infrastructure, DOE/IRA/IIJA-funded programs, and connected asset deployments.
• Develop and deliver outcome-based solution frameworks that leverage cutting-edge Verizon utility solutions, communicating the value of mission-critical connectivity through a highly consultative, forward-thinking approach.
• Industry Engagement & Thought Leadership
• Actively participate in and lead discussions at key utility industry events and forums, including DistribuTECH, IEEE PES, Edison Electric Institute (EEI), and UBBA.
• Engage with industry analysts and represent Verizon at vertical marketing events, including speaking roles at conferences, webinars, and podcasts focused on grid modernization, Private 5G, and operational technology.
• Apply deep utilities expertise across client engagements, business development, and ecosystem relationships to shape Verizon's go-to-market strategy and deliver a forward-looking perspective that resonates with utility CIOs, CTOs, and OT leaders.
• Knowledge Sharing & Internal Collaboration
• Serve as a go-to source of utilities industry knowledge, disseminating grid modernization and operational insights across VBG channels to account teams and internal stakeholders, acting as a "force-multiplier."
• Provide industry guidance and sales support across MEU, Public Sector, and Federal teams pursuing DOE- and IIJA-funded infrastructure opportunities.
• Contribute to new product development by identifying and building repeatable solutions across grid modernization, connected assets, and operational security verticals.
• Collaborate with Public Sector, Product, and IoT teams to identify common solutions and execution opportunities, such as Field Area Network deployments and Private 5G critical infrastructure for shared utility and government accounts.
• Solution Design & Implementation Leadership
• Provide strategic guidance to clients on addressing complex grid and operational challenges through integrated Verizon solutions, including Private 5G, NaaS, SD-WAN, SASE, IoT, and cybersecurity.
• Lead cross-functional teams of solution architects, adoption specialists, and deal experts in developing and implementing opportunities across Investment, Principal, Strategic, and Public Sector utility segments.
• Build strategic partnerships with leading utility technology organizations including: Itron, Honeywell, Schneider Electric, and Siemens, to enable a comprehensive connected grid ecosystem.

You'll need to have:

• A bachelor's degree or four or more years of equivalent work experience.
• Eight or more years of relevant work experience in utility or energy sector technology, private wireless networks, critical infrastructure sales, or O