Operations Planner Team Lead - Northern

Xcel Energy Inc; Arvada (CO); On-site; USD 510,000 - 511,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Spot On Bonus

Medical/Pharmacy Plan

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

401(k) plan

PTO

Job summary

Xcel Energy Inc. is seeking an Operations Planner Team Lead to oversee multi‑week scheduling, readiness, and coordination across regions.

The role focuses on optimizing resources, mentoring planners, and ensuring safety and regulatory compliance in a dynamic utility environment. Responsibilities include leading scheduling meetings, coordinating field operations, and driving continuous improvement while maintaining strong partnerships with leadership and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 8 years of experience in construction, design, maintenance, or operations, with 5 years in a senior planning role.
• Demonstrated mastery in scheduling, planning, and operational coordination within utility or construction industries.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other spreadsheet tools.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the rolling 0–12+ week schedule for designated regions or commodity areas, ensuring alignment with priorities, compliance, and resource availability.
• Coordinate equipment, materials, and third‑party services to enable timely work execution.
• Mentor and train Operations Planners/Sr. Operations Planners and other team members, providing guidance on scheduling practices and system use.
• Forecast personnel, equipment, and material needs; optimize allocation to maximize schedule adherence and safety.
• Analyze scheduling and work execution performance; lead monthly metric reviews and process improvements.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Leadership

Education

Associate degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Work management tools

Scheduling software

Mapping tools

Job description

Are you looking for an exciting job where you can put your skills and talents to work at a company you can feel proud to be a part of? Do you want a workplace that will challenge you and offer you opportunities to learn and grow? A position at Xcel Energy could be just what you’re looking for.

Position Summary

The Operations Planner Team Lead serves as the subject matter expert and leader for planning, scheduling, and coordinating operational work across multiple functional areas and regions. This role provides strategic oversight of multi-week scheduling and daily coordination activities, ensuring operational readiness, resource optimization, and compliance with safety and regulatory standards. The Team Lead mentors and develops planners, drives process improvements, and acts as a key liaison between field operations leadership, design, and external stakeholders. This position sets high standards for operational excellence and customer satisfaction while fostering collaboration and accountability across teams.

Essential Responsibilities

• Strategic Scheduling & Planning: Oversee development and maintenance of a rolling 0–12+ week schedule for designated regions or commodity areas, ensuring alignment with priorities, compliance, and resource availability. Identify gaps, resolve scheduling conflicts, and make recommendations for resource adjustments to optimize efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Facilitate quarterly planning meetings to forecast workload and resource needs.
• Operational Readiness & Coordination: Review all aspects of projects prior to assigning work, ensuring prerequisites (permits, locates, traffic control, vegetation management) are met. Coordinate equipment, materials, and third‑party services to enable timely work execution. Maintain visibility into real‑time work queues and manage exception work outside normal scheduling windows.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Mentor and train Operations Planners/Sr. Operations Planners and other team members, providing guidance on scheduling practices, system use, and operational standards. Set high performance standards and encourage continuous improvement across the team. Provide backup leadership to Operations Managers and act as a consultative resource for system improvements and process changes.
• Resource Management & Optimization: Monitor and forecast personnel, equipment, and material needs across multiple areas. Optimize allocation of contract and employee resources to minimize costs and maximize schedule adherence, safety, and compliance.
• Performance Analysis & Continuous Improvement: Analyze scheduling and work execution performance to identify opportunities for improvement. Facilitate monthly metric review meetings and lead process change initiatives to enhance operational efficiency. Drive adoption of standardized work practices and company initiatives for operational excellence.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Customer Focus: Build and maintain strong partnerships with supervisors, field leaders, and external stakeholders. Champion timely and professional communication with customers and stakeholders regarding scheduling and outages. Represent Distribution Operations in cross‑functional meetings and negotiate adjustments to meet customer and compliance deadlines.
• Accountability for Results: Ensure timely job closeout, accurate documentation, and financial stewardship of O&M and capital work. Oversee emergency response and storm restoration efforts, prioritizing safety and service reliability.
• All other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Associate’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 8 years of experience in construction, design, maintenance, or operations (utility experience strongly preferred), with 5 years in a senior planning role (e.g. Sr Operations Work Coordinator).
• Demonstrated mastery in scheduling, planning, and operational coordination within utility or construction industries.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Proven ability to lead teams, mentor staff, and manage complex work activities to meet operational deadlines and customer expectations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to foster collaboration across teams and departments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other spreadsheet tools; ability to retrieve and manipulate data from reporting tools.
• Knowledge of and ability to use a wide range of computer applications, including Microsoft products, work management, mapping, and scheduling/project management tools.
• Valid Driver’s License

Preferred Characteristics

• Openness to travel within area assigned
• Willing to work extended hours as needed

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Individuals with a disability who need an accommodation to apply please contact us at [e-mail].

Salary

Non-BargainingThe anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $37.30 to $52.23 per hour

Benefits

• Spot On Bonus
• Medical/Pharmacy Plan
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Account
• Health Care Reimbursement Account
• Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan)
• Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA)
• Transportation Reimbursement Account
• Short-term disability (STD)
• Long-term disability (LTD)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Transit programs
• Employee recognition program
• Pension
• 401(k) plan
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO)
• Parental Leave

Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.

In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation.You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Deadline to Apply: 08/30/26

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