General Manager, Reading Municipal Light Department
Job Description
Job DescriptionGeneral Manager of Reading Municipal Light Department
Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) seeks a General Manager with exceptional leadership, management, communication, negotiation and strategic planning skills to lead the operations of a progressive utility with annual revenues of over $100 million.
The General Manager is responsible for all functions of the RMLD including Energy Services, Engineering and Operations, Human Resources, Accounting, Customer Service, Community Relations, and Information Technology. The General Manager reports to an elected Board of Commissioners and works with the Citizens’ Advisory Board, which is an appointed board representing the towns served by RMLD. The position is subject to Massachusetts General Laws, including Chapter 164 and interacts with elected officials and utility-related organizations at the federal, state and local levels.
The General Manager is responsible for developing and presenting the annual Operating and Capital Budgets, recommending electricity rates, ensuring reliable delivery of electric power, ensuring a diversified energy portfolio including renewable energy sources and developing short and long-term strategic plans. Operational oversight includes personnel management, including union negotiations, monitoring the power supply market and executing power supply purchases, capital project planning and maintenance, purchasing and bid oversight, and directing the use of legal and consulting services. It is critical that the General Manager have excellent communication and interpersonal skills to forge strong relationships with employees, commissioners, government officials and the general public at all levels.
RMLD is a municipal electric utility located 11 miles north of Boston serving 31,000 customers in four communities: Reading, Wilmington, North Reading, and Lynnfield Center. The Department has 89 employees, who are predominately union employees.
Candidates should be able to show significant experience in leading an electric utility with a minimum of 10 years’ experience at a senior level management position. Industry experience should include technical understanding of all aspects of electric utility, union and contract negotiation and strategic planning including peak power management. Municipal experience is a plus with a good understanding of local, state and federal requirements. Bachelor’s Degree in a related field is required. A Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Management or Public Administration is desired. Candidates’ names will not be made public until final round of interviewing.
Salary is negotiable, the expected salary range for this position is $225,000 to $275,000. The RMLD offers a comprehensive benefit package. Qualified applicants must submit resume, cover letter, and completed employment application (including references). Applications are due by Monday, August 25, 2025 at 12:00PM. Pre-employment contingencies include, but are not limited to, a background check, drug and alcohol testing – including marijuana, and a pre-employment physical exam.
Reading Municipal Light DepartmentJob Position DescriptionJob Title: General ManagerReports to: Board of CommissionersDivision: Executive
Group: ExecutiveJob Grade: ContractRevision Date: 8-2-22Reviewed By: Work Location: 230 Ash St OfficeUnion: Y☐ N x This Position Description presents illustrative work activities usually encountered by personnel filling this position. It is not meant to list all possible work activities in all possible work conditions. It is also not meant to define specific limits on work activities that may be performed by any person holding this position. Position descriptions may occasionally be changed to allow the RMLD to better meet the needs of the customers, reflect applicable laws and regulations, or otherwise implement Commission policies. All non-bargaining unit RMLD workers are “employees at will.”JOB SUMMARY:
The General Manager (GM) is responsible for the overall operation and management of the RMLD under the direction and control of the RMLD Board of Commissioners and subject to Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 164. The GM is responsible for planning, organizing and directing all staff and operations of the utility while ensuring the organization is focused on delivering reliable, low-cost, and increasingly non-carbon energy to its electric customers in the RMLD service territory.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Develop internal policies, plans, and programs to meet current and future needs of the RMLD. Plans, directs and organizes the activities of all personnel. Establish procedures and controls to implement board direction and formal votes.
- Direct as the designated representative for the RMLD Commissioners, the collective bargaining process with the AFSCME and IBEW unions. Administer salary and personnel programs for all non-union employees. Maintain an organization and staff appropriate to the continuing achievement of effective operations.
- Direct the preparation of operational and capital budgets and ensure that they fall in line with the organizational objectives.
- Work toward improving the RMLD's image through communication with external customers and ensuring customer satisfaction. Effectively interface with all local, state and federal officials, IOU and Municipal power agencies and related professional utility organizations. Stay current on all issues concerning local and public power.
- Participate in total quality management and related activities.
- Work off-hours as required to meet the responsibilities of the General Manager, including, but not limited to, representing RMLD at off-site, off-hour meetings extolling RMLD mission to local governments and third parties.
- Other related duties as assigned by a majority vote of the Board of Commissioners.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and/or Experience
Bachelor's degree in Engineering or an equivalent degree supporting an array of sophisticated technical and/or analytical skills. Master's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or any specialty that provides formal management education is preferred.
Effective utility administration, budget development and personnel management techniques required. Knowledge of GIS, SCADA, NESC and OSHA desired. Knowledge of FERC accounting principles desired.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Knowledge in Asset Management.
- Knowledge in planning, design, Grid Optimization, AMI, distribution automation, and technology integration.
- Knowledge and understanding of Demand Response and Demand Side Management (DSM) programs.
- Knowledge in protection & coordination of OH & UG distribution protective devices.
EXPERIENCE
10 years in any facet of an electric utility, privately or municipally owned.
10 years of electrical distribution planning and design preferred.
10 years of distribution automation experience preferred.
10 years experience in progressive leadership and project management.
JUDGMENT AND INITIATIVE
Ability to make personnel decisions and ensure that any actions made by the RMLD conform with Federal, State and Local laws.
Perform duties in accordance with established policies and professional standards; unusual policy questions involving interpretation or clarification usually reviewed with directors.
INDEPENDENT ACTION
Ability to assume ultimate authority and responsibility for the operation and management of the RMLD.
COMPUTER/MANUAL SKILLS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Essential: Must have strong computer skills. Must be able to attend storm emergencies and assist in varied tasks.
Light physical activity occasionally (carrying, lifting, etc.). Ability to increase physical exertion during storm duty.
SUPERVISORY
Delegate work and work priorities, evaluate employee performance and discipline employees.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Driver’s license valid in MA.
Applicants may access the required employment application in pdf format at www.rmld.com/application. If this link does not download the application, please copy it into a browser to download the pdf.
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