Regional Program Lead - Utilities

We are seeking an experienced utility industry leader to serve as the Regional Program Lead for the deployment and expansion of PMO services within Xcel Energy. This individual will be responsible for leading the implementation, growth, and operational delivery of PMO support services while serving as a trusted advisor to Xcel leadership and key stakeholders.

This role requires a unique combination of utility industry expertise, established relationships within Xcel Energy, large-scale program leadership experience, and deep project management capabilities. The successful candidate will be expected to navigate the organization effectively, build executive-level relationships, identify opportunities to enhance PMO support, and lead a multi-disciplinary team supporting Xcel's capital delivery and operational initiatives.

The ideal candidate possesses extensive experience working directly for Xcel Energy or serving Xcel leadership in a consulting capacity and understands how the organization operates, makes decisions, and executes work.

• Serve as the primary PMO leadership representative supporting Xcel Energy.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with executives, project sponsors, and key stakeholders.
• Lead the implementation and expansion of PMO services, governance frameworks, reporting standards, and project controls processes.
• Drive consistency in project execution, risk management, forecasting, and portfolio oversight.
• Identify opportunities to improve performance and expand PMO capabilities.
• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team of project managers, project controls professionals, schedulers, analysts, and PMO support staff.
• Oversee resource planning, staffing strategy, utilization, and team development.
• Provide executive oversight of program performance, including scope, schedule, budget, risk, and resource management.
• Facilitate executive reviews, steering committees, and portfolio governance meetings.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years supporting Xcel Energy directly or in a consulting, professional services, or program delivery capacity.
• Strong understanding of Xcel's organizational structure, business processes, and operating environment.
• Established relationships within Xcel leadership organizations.
• Proven ability to influence and navigate large utility organizations.

• 15+ years in the electric and/or natural gas utility industry.
• Experience supporting transmission, distribution, substation, generation, gas delivery, grid modernization, or major capital programs.
• Demonstrated success leading teams or programs of 20+ direct and/or matrixed resources.
• Strong background building and scaling client-focused delivery organizations.

• Extensive experience managing large utility programs and capital portfolios.
• Expertise in PMO implementation, governance, portfolio management, project controls, and executive reporting.

• Former Xcel Energy employee in leadership, engineering, operations, project management, or PMO roles.
• Experience deploying PMO, project controls, or portfolio management functions within utility organizations.
• Background with engineering, consulting, EPC, or utility services firms supporting investor-owned utilities.
• PMP certification.
• MBA, Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or related degree.
• Experience supporting transmission, distribution, gas infrastructure, wildfire mitigation, grid modernization, or resiliency programs.

At ENTRUST Solutions Group, a Leidos company, we are driven by a commitment to innovation, technical excellence, and delivering the critical infrastructure that powers and connects communities. Together with Leidos, we are building a scaled, end-to-end energy and infrastructure organization focused on modernizing the grid, improving reliability, and helping utilities and network providers meet rising demand.

As an ENR top ranked firm, our team of more than 5,000 professionals brings deep technical expertise and advanced technology across electric, gas, and telecommunications infrastructure. We solve complex challenges for clients across North America and expanding markets, helping them strengthen reliability, expand capacity, and adapt to evolving infrastructure needs.

We foster a culture where innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement are expected, and where people are empowered to challenge convention, think boldly, and make an impact. Whether you are looking to grow your…