This role sits at the center of some of OPPD's most complex and high-impact customer partnerships. As a Lead Program Manager, you will lead strategic engagements with large, sophisticated customers whose energy needs directly influence long-term infrastructure, generation planning, and enterprise strategy. Lead development and execution of long-term (5-20 year) strategic partnerships with large industrial, military, and biotechnology customers Serve as the primary relationship owner, building and maintaining executive-level (C-suite) partnerships across customer organizations Negotiate, structure, and manage complex commercial agreements, including energy supply, infrastructure development, and partnership models Translate customer technical and operational energy needs into actionable business solutions aligned with OPPD strategy Develop and execute multi-year strategic account plans, including forecasting, growth planning, and risk management Partner cross-functionally with internal teams (engineering, operations, planning, finance, legal) to align solutions and deliver results Lead high-impact initiatives related to generation development, load growth, and infrastructure expansion Represent the customer perspective internally while balancing operational reliability, financial performance, and long-term strategy Analyze market trends, regulatory environment, and customer industry dynamics to identify opportunities and risks Support enterprise planning through long-term forecasting and strategic input into resource planning and capital decisions Provide leadership during critical customer situations, ensuring rapid coordination and resolution of high-impact issues Why This Role Matters This role is critical to supporting OPPD's growth strategy as demand from large industrial, military, and emerging sectors continues to accelerate. These partnerships go far beyond traditional account management - they involve long-term infrastructure planning, large-scale energy solutions, and strategic collaboration that directly impacts regional economic development and OPPD's future energy portfolio. This position plays a key role in enabling OPPD to partner with customers on utility-scale solutions, including generation development, reliability initiatives, and innovative energy strategies. What Makes This Role Unique This is a highly visible, high-impact role that requires a unique blend of business strategy, energy expertise, and relationship leadership. Candidates should be comfortable operating in complex environments, influencing at senior levels, and driving outcomes that shape long-term partnerships and infrastructure decisions. Qualifications Required: Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred 12 years of energy strategy experience OR 12 years of experience within a relevant customer industry (e.g., military, biotech, industrial, or large-scale commercial operations) Deep understanding of how energy influences customer strategy, operations, and long-term planning Demonstrated experience with complex contract negotiation, commercial structuring, and partnership development Ability to translate technical energy needs into business solutions Strong understanding of market trends, competitive landscape, and regulatory environment Proven ability to build and maintain executive-level relationships Strong cross-functional leadership skills with the ability to influence without direct authority Experience with long-term forecasting, planning, and strategic decision-making Preferred: Knowledge of customer decision-making structures (formal and informal) and how to influence them Working knowledge of OPPD strategy, policies, and internal processes Understanding of utility financials, including capital planning and O&M decision-making Experience with long-term strategic customer planning and account management Industry experience related to military installations, biotechnology, large-scale industrial operations, or energy-intensive sectors Regulatory and operational knowledge related to energy markets and infrastructure planning Closing Statement Salary Grade: S 7 Min: $121,013 Mid: $151,266 At Omaha Public Power District , we're passionate about three things: power, the people who make it, and the people who rely on it.