Operations Manager

Sterling St James LLC; Omaha (NE); On-site; USD 220,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterling St James LLC seeks a Director of Operations to oversee the safe, reliable, and profitable operation of multiple power generation facilities. You will lead operations, maintenance, engineering, and staff management while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.

The role requires high-level independent judgment in a complex environment, interacts with regulators and external partners, and drives continuous improvement and capital planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field is required (highly desired).
• 10+ years of experience in power generation operations and/or maintenance, including gas turbine facilities.
• MBA or strong business experience in independent power producers is preferred.
• Experience with environmental compliance, budgeting, contract administration, and organizational development.
• Strong leadership and communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Drive continuous improvement in plant safety, reliability, efficiency, and profitability.
• Lead, develop, and manage plant staff to align with standards.
• Oversee daily operations to meet production and performance targets.
• Ensure safety, environmental, regulatory, and contractual compliance.
• Manage hiring, performance, compensation, and personnel practices.
• Develop, manage, and control budgets, forecasts, and expenditures.
• Administer O&M, PPAs, LTSA, and utility agreements.
• Plan and oversee plant outages for production, cost, and schedule optimization.
• Provide hands-on operational and technical support as needed.
• Lead risk assessments and apply market knowledge for decisions.
• Direct system upgrades and operational improvements.
• Lead asset transitions related to acquisitions or changes in O&M providers.
• Engage regulators and the local community.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Budgeting

Cost control

Regulatory knowledge

Risk management

Team development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

MBA (preferred)

Job description

Job Summary:

The Director, Operations is responsible for the safe, reliable, and profitable operation of multiple power generation facilities. This role oversees operations, maintenance, engineering, and staff management while ensuring compliance with all safety, environmental, and contractual requirements. The Director leads operating strategy, drives continuous improvement, benchmarks performance, and supports development and acquisition activities through O&M expertise.

Scope of Responsibility:

This position requires high-level independent judgment and decision-making in a complex operational and regulatory environment, under general guidance from the Senior Vice President of Operations. The role involves interaction with internal leadership as well as external stakeholders, including regulators, government agencies, and third-party partners.

Essential Job Functions:

• Drive continuous improvement in plant safety, reliability, efficiency, and profitability using best-in-class practices.
• Lead, develop, and manage plant staff to ensure alignment with facility, company, and industry standards.
• Oversee daily facility operations to meet or exceed production and performance targets.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, regulatory, and contractual requirements, including permitting and reporting obligations.
• Manage hiring, performance management, compensation processes, and personnel practices in compliance with company policy and applicable laws.
• Develop, manage, and control facility budgets, forecasts, and expenditures in alignment with long-term maintenance plans.
• Administer and ensure compliance with O&M Agreements, PPAs, LTSA agreements, and utility agreements.
• Plan and oversee plant outages to optimize production, cost, and schedule performance.
• Provide hands‑on operational and technical support as needed, including evaluation of equipment issues and coordination of external resources.
• Lead risk assessments and apply market and industry knowledge to inform operational decisions.
• Direct system upgrades, modifications, and operational improvements.
• Lead transitions related to asset acquisitions, divestitures, or changes in O&M providers.
• Serve as a liaison with regulatory agencies and the local community, promoting positive relationships and community engagement.
• Complete special projects as assigned and maintain reliable, predictable attendance.

Basic Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field (highly desired)
• 10+ years of experience in power generation operations and/or maintenance, including significant experience with gas turbine facilities

Preferred Requirements:

• MBA or strong experience with the business and commercial aspects of independent power producers
• Demonstrated expertise in environmental compliance, budgeting and cost control, contract administration, and organizational development
• Proven ability to develop innovative solutions to technical, operational, and business challenges
• Strong leadership, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical audiences