Director of Wholesale Electric Operations

NMPP Energy, located in Lincoln, Nebraska, is seeking a Director of Wholesale Electric Operations to join our team. Use your skills, experience, and talents to provide strategic leadership and oversight of the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska’s (MEAN) wholesale electric operations, ensuring reliable, cost-effective, and compliant power supply for member municipal utilities. The role spans multiple market structures, including the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), and select non-RTO service areas.

Reporting to the Executive Director/CEO, this position serves as a key advisor to leadership and the Board of Directors on wholesale power supply strategy, market developments, resource adequacy, transmission issues, risk management, and long-term planning. While MEAN owns interests in generation and other assets, it does not directly operate facilities; the Director coordinates closely with asset operators, counterparties, member utilities, RTOs, and regulators.

The Director of Wholesale Electric Operations supports the mission of NMPP Energy by leading efforts in several key areas, including:

Wholesale Power Supply & Market Operations:

• Direct and oversee all wholesale power supply activities across SPP, MISO, and non-RTO environments.
• Develop and implement power supply strategies that balance cost, reliability, risk, and member needs.
• Oversee market participation in conjunction with a third-party service provider representing MEAN. Activities include day-ahead and real-time markets, bilateral transactions, and congestion management.
• Oversee policies and guidelines for operation, dispatch, and compensation of behind-the-meter or community-based generation resources contributing to agency resource adequacy that are dispatched when economically or operationally warranted.

Resource Planning & Resource Adequacy:

• Lead integrated resource planning and long-term power supply planning processes.
• Ensure compliance with SPP and MISO resource adequacy and planning reserve margin requirements, as well as obligations for non-RTO members.
• Evaluate new supply options, including PPAs, owned resources, market purchases, demand-side solutions, and emerging technologies.
• Coordinate planning assumptions and forecasts with member utilities, including load growth, electrification, and distributed energy resources.

Transmission & Infrastructure Coordination:

• Oversee transmission service arrangements, congestion mitigation, optimization analysis and cost allocation matters.
• Coordinate with transmission owners, RTOs, and stakeholders on transmission interconnections and regional planning initiatives.
• Assess transmission-related risks and opportunities impacting member costs and reliability.

Asset & Contract Management:

• Provide oversight of Agency ownership interests in generation and other assets, including performance monitoring, contract compliance, and financial impacts.
• Coordinate with third-party operators and asset managers to ensure alignment with Agency objectives.
• Negotiate agreements and coordinate with Legal for contract review and comment.
• Oversee administration of power purchase agreements, fuel arrangements (as applicable), and other contracts.

Compliance & Reliability:

• Ensure compliance with all applicable industry requirements, including NERC reliability standards, RTO tariffs, market rules, and regulatory obligations.
• Serve as the Agency’s senior operational contact with SPP, MISO, NERC entities, and other reliability organizations.
• Coordinates with Compliance in the development and maintenance of internal controls, policies, and procedures related to wholesale operations and compliance.

Strategic Planning, Risk Management & Board Support:

• Provide strategic analysis of wholesale market trends, regulatory developments, and emerging risks.
• Support enterprise risk management related to power supply, markets, transmission, and reliability.
• Prepare clear, concise reports and presentations for the Board of Directors and member utilities on operational performance, market conditions, board policies, and strategic initiatives.
• Support long-term organizational planning and special projects as directed by the Executive Director/CEO.

Budget and Financial Management:

• In conjunction with Accounting and Finance, assist in the development and management of wholesale power supply budgets, forecasts, and variance analyses, including inputs for multi-year planning and resource-related capital requirements.
• Support the development and evaluation of wholesale power rates, cost recovery and cost allocation methodologies and rate design impacts for member utilities.
• Assist with Agency financing activities related to generation ownership interests and rating agency presentations.

Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Contribute to organizational planning and strategic initiatives as part of the NMPP Energy leadership team.
• Lead and develop a high-performing wholesale operations team.
• Establish clear expectations, priorities, and accountability across the team.
• Build strong relationships with member utilities, peer agencies, regulators, consultants, and industry partners.
• Prepare and present clear, concise materials for the Board of Directors and member utilities.
• Advocate for market and regulatory outcomes that support reliable and affordable municipal power.

Skills & Qualifications You Need

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, economics, finance, business, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred; 10–15 years of progressively responsible experience in wholesale electric operations, power supply, or resource planning, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated success as a people leader, with experience building, leading, and developing high-performing professional teams.
• Strong understanding of municipal utility operations, joint action agencies, and public power structures.
• Experience operating in organized wholesale markets; SPP and/or MISO experience preferred.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate complex technical and market issues into clear guidance for executive leadership and boards.
• Knowledge of NERC reliability standards and compliance frameworks.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to effectively engage and support diverse member communities.
• Ability to travel periodically to member utilities, RTO meetings, regulatory forums, and industry conferences.
• Residence within reasonable daily commuting distance to Lincoln, Nebraska is required.

We Offer

• The opportunity to join a highly engaged team with a strong sense of purpose.
• Great benefits. Medical, dental, vision and life insurance as well as generous company contributions to your Health Savings Account. Your health matters – to us and to your family!
• Competitive 401(k) match. You put in 6%, we contribute 9%. Yes, 9! We want to invest in you and your future.
• Time to recharge. Generous PTO and 10 paid holidays.
• Flexibility that works. Hybrid work options give you the best of both worlds, time in the office and time at home.
• Support when you need it. Short-term disability and paid parental leave.
• An opportunity to never stop learning. Enjoy assistance for tuition, books and other fees.
• Caffeine perks. Coffee from The Mill is brewing all day long!

About Us

At NMPP Energy, our power is in our people. We are a nonprofit coalition of over 130 municipally owned utility systems across the Central and Mountain states. By bringing together energy professionals with shared needs, we create a synergy of support and resources that helps municipalities deliver safe, reliable, and affordable service to their communities.

Through an efficient framework of economical, cost-based services, we empower those responsible for ensuring energy is always available. We deliver wholesale electricity, wholesale and retail natural gas, and a range of utility services to member municipalities, many of which are small, rural communities.

The Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN) is one of four organizations within the NMPP Energy Coalition. MEAN is a not-for-profit entity that provides wholesale electricity supply and services to 69 participating communities across four states.