Energy and Utilities Senior Principal - Business Strategy

Verizon; Walnut Creek (CA); Hybrid; USD 139,000 - 265,000; Full time

Job summary

Verizon is seeking a Senior Utilities Principal to bridge complex grid and OT/IoT solutions with business goals across the U.S. MEU practice.

You will lead strategic growth, shape ecosystem partnerships, and drive Private 5G, NaaS, and SD-WAN initiatives for major utility clients. Engage with CIOs/CTOs and OT leaders, guide cross-functional teams, and contribute to Verizon's grid modernization and digital transformation efforts.

Qualifications

• Eight or more years of relevant work experience in the utilities sector or OT/IoT solutions.
• Bachelor's degree or four or more years of equivalent work experience.
• Willingness to travel.
• Deep utilities market knowledge with grid modernization, cybersecurity, and private networks.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic growth of Verizon's MEU practice with utility customers across the U.S.
• Initiate, guide, and execute pipeline opportunities with Client Partners and Regional Sales Leaders.
• Lead cross-functional teams in developing and implementing opportunities in Private 5G, NaaS, SD-WAN, and SASE.
• Engage in industry events, analyst discussions, and ecosystem partnerships to shape go-to-market strategy.
• Provide strategic guidance on grid modernization, cybersecurity, and OT/IT security for utilities.

Skills

Utilities domain knowledge

Private wireless networks

OT/IoT solutions

Executive-level engagement

Travel willingness

Solution design leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

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 OT/IoT solutions-or a combination of professional and/or military experience with specialized training.
• Willingness to travel.
• Demonstrated experience in the utilities vertical, with working knowledge of the concepts described below.

Required Expertise & Focus Areas

The successful candidate will have deep, practical knowledge of the U.S. utilities market, with particular expertise in:

• Grid Modernization & AMI: Deep understanding of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) upgrades, distributed energy resource management (DERM), and Field Area Network buildouts. Experience aligning Private 5G, NaaS, and SD-WAN solutions to utility reliability, geographic coverage, and resiliency requirements.
• Cybersecurity & OT/IT Security (NERC-CIP): Expertise in utility cybersecurity frameworks and NERC-CIP compliance standards. Knowledge of protecting critical infrastructure against ransomware and cyber threats, including identity and access controls, network segmentation, and OT security for SCADA systems and substation automation, is a plus.
• Private Networks for Utilities: Comprehensive understanding of the drivers for utility adoption of private LTE and 5G networks, including enhanced reliability, geographic coverage, security, and scalability for field operations, substation automation, and distribution automation use cases.
• Industrial IoT & Connected Assets (IIoT): Experience deploying IoT applications across grid assets such as smart meters, voltage regulators, connected substations, and drones. Knowledge of Intelligent Lighting, Field Area Networks, and Condition-Based Maintenance solutions is a plus.
• Federal Funding & Regulatory Programs: Familiarity with DOE Grid Resilience Grants, IRA and IIJA infrastructure funding programs, and FERC/state PUC technology requirements. Experience proactively aligning Verizon solutions with utility capital investment cycles ahead of procurement.
• Digital Transformation & SD-WAN/SASE: Experience guiding utilities in deploying workforce management, safety, and customer engagement applications. Fluency with SD-WAN, SASE, and secure remote access solutions that integrate with utility OT/IT environments and support utility CTO and CFO priorities.

This position may be based at most Verizon Hub locations across the United States.

Where you'll be working

In this mobile role, you'll primarily work from customer or field location(s), with occasional visits to a Verizon location for in-person training and meetings.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Equal Employment Opportunity

Verizon is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristics.

Benefits and Compensation

Our benefits are designed to help you move forward in your career, and in areas of your life outside of Verizon. From health and wellness benefit options including: medical, dental, vision, short and long term disability, basic life insurance, supplemental life insurance, AD&D insurance, identity theft protection, pet insurance and group home & auto insurance. We also offer a matched 401(k) savings plan, up to 8 company paid holidays per year and up to 6 personal days per year, paid parental leave, adoption assistance and tuition assistance, plus other incentives, we've got you covered with our award-winning total rewards package. Depending on the role, employees have the opportunity to receive compensation in the form of premium pay such as overtime, shift differential, holiday pay, allowances, etc. Newly hired employees receive up to 15 days of vacation per year, which grows with additional service. For part-timers, your coverage will vary as you may be eligible for some of these benefits depending on your individual circumstances.

The salary will vary depending on your location and confirmed job-related skills and experience. This is an incentive based position with the potential to earn more. For part-time roles, your compensation will be adjusted to reflect your hours.The annual salary range for the location(s) listed on this job requisition based on a full-time schedule is: $138,500.00 - $265,000.00.The annual salary range for the Illinois location(s) listed on this job requisition based on a full-time schedule is: $152,500.00 - $265,000.00.