ABOUT THE ROLE

The Manager – Digital Transformation, Utilities will serve as the central coordination and execution member for advancing digitalization across distribution utilities within the Grids of the Future portfolio. This is a high-impact, cross-functional role that bridges strategic programme delivery, stakeholder engagement, technology deployment, and institutional capacity building. The incumbent will work closely with distribution companies (DISCOMs), grid operators, government energy ministries, multilateral institutions, technology vendors, and civil society organisations to drive measurable transformation outcomes at scale.

The role demands equal command of sector-specific technical knowledge — particularly in distribution utility operations, grid modernisation, software engineering, and energy data infrastructure — and of the human and organisational dimensions of large-scale digital change. The successful candidate will be equally comfortable presenting a roadmap to a utility board, reviewing a technical architecture with an engineering team, negotiating a data-sharing protocol with a regulator, and steering a cross-vendor delivery sprint.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Digital Transformation Strategy and Programme Delivery

• Lead the design and execution of multi-year digital transformation roadmaps for distribution utilities, covering smart metering (AMI/AMR), SCADA/DMS upgrades, outage management systems (OMS), and integrated asset management platforms.
• Develop programme charters, milestone frameworks, KPI dashboards, and risk registers aligned with organisational priorities and donor/funder reporting requirements.
• Translate high-level transformation mandates into actionable work plans with clear ownership, resource allocation, and dependency mapping across technology, operations, and regulatory workstreams.
• Track and report programme progress to senior leadership, boards, and international stakeholders; prepare Board-ready briefings, donor reports, and policy submissions.
• Manage budget cycles, procurement processes, and contract oversight for digital initiatives, including vendor selection, SoW review, and performance monitoring.

Distribution Utility and Grid Digitalisation

• Provide technical advisory and implementation support to distribution utilities on grid digitalisation: smart grid architecture, IoT sensor deployment, SCADA integration, geographic information systems (GIS), and field force automation.
• Advise on regulatory and commercial frameworks for digital utilities: cost-of-service tariff mechanisms, regulatory asset base treatment of digital capex, and benchmarking against international best practice (EU DSO model, India RDSS, African utility digitalisation programmes).
• Support utilities in adopting advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), prepaid metering, distributed energy resource management systems (DERMS), and virtual power plant (VPP) frameworks.
• Facilitate utility-level data governance frameworks — meter data management systems (MDMS), data lakes, and secure data exchange protocols — in compliance with applicable data protection law including the India DPDP Act 2023.
• Assess AT&C loss reduction opportunities through digital interventions including smart billing, automated fault detection, and AI-powered loss analytics.

Software Engineering Oversight and Technology Delivery

• Engage directly with engineering teams — internal and vendor-side — on software architecture, integration design, API specifications, and release planning for utility digital products.
• Oversee technical delivery of software products, platforms, and integrations: sprint governance, code quality standards, DevOps/CI-CD pipeline management, and technical debt prioritisation.
• Review and provide input on system design documents, technical specifications, and vendor software proposals; ensure proposed solutions are robust, scalable, and fit for utility operating environments.
• Bridge the gap between business requirements from utility stakeholders and engineering execution, ensuring technical teams have clear, well-specified backlogs and utility counterparts understand delivery constraints.
• Evaluate build vs buy vs configure decisions for utility digital components and guide procurement accordingly.

Big Data, AI and Advanced Analytics

• Oversee the design and deployment of big data infrastructure for utilities: data pipelines from smart meters, SCADA systems, weather APIs, and demand-response platforms into centralised analytics environments.
• Champion the use of AI/ML models for demand forecasting, predictive maintenance, fault detection and classification, energy theft detection, and customer segmentation.
• Evaluate and onboard AI product vendors, conducting technical due diligence on model performance, data infrastructure requirements, integration APIs, and explainability standards.
• Establish model governance protocols including data quality standards, bias audits, retraining schedules, and version control to ensure trustworthy AI deployment in critical infrastructure.
• Build internal capability through training programmes, Centre of Excellence frameworks, and knowledge management platforms so that utilities can eventually self-sustain AI-driven operations.

Change Management and Organisational Transformation

• Design and lead structured change management programmes using established frameworks (Prosci ADKAR, Kotter 8-Step, or equivalent) to drive adoption of digital systems within utility workforce structures.
• Conduct stakeholder mapping, change readiness assessments, and impact analyses for each transformation initiative; develop communication and engagement plans for different audience segments.
• Partner with utility HR and L&D functions to design digital skilling curricula for field engineers, billing teams, control room operators, and senior management.
• Manage change fatigue and resistance in large bureaucratic organisations; coach utility leadership on digital culture and agile ways of working.
• Track adoption metrics, benefits realisation, and behavioural change indicators alongside technical deployment milestones.

Ecosystem Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary relationship manager for technology companies, solution providers, system integrators, and platform vendors operating in the utility digital space.
• Coordinate with government bodies (Ministry of Power, CERC/SERCs, BEE, ISA, IRENA, SEforALL, and comparable regional bodies) on policy alignment, regulatory sandbox proposals, and joint programme design.
• Represent GEAPP's Grids of the Future team at industry forums, utility roundtables, and international energy conferences; build and maintain a professional network across the utility digital ecosystem.
• Facilitate consortium arrangements between utilities, technology providers, and financiers for large-scale digital infrastructure deployments.
• Support knowledge-exchange partnerships with peer organisations, development finance institutions (AfDB, ADB, WB, IFC), and bilateral aid agencies engaged in utility digitalisation.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

• Design and operationalise MEL frameworks for digital transformation programmes, including theory-of-change mapping, logframe development, and results measurement.
• Oversee collection, validation, and analysis of programme data; produce periodic performance reports and impact assessments for internal governance and external accountability.
• Embed continuous improvement cycles including retrospectives, lessons-learned documentation, and adaptive management into programme delivery processes.

REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Bachelor's degree (mandatory) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, or a related technical field.
• Master's degree (strongly preferred) in Energy Systems, Technology Management, MBA, Public Policy, or equivalent.
• Relevant certifications (desirable): PMP / PgMP, PRINCE2, Prosci Change Management, AWS/GCP/Azure Data, SAFe Agile, TOGAF, or utility-specific credentials such as IEEE Smart Grid certifications.

Professional Experience

• Minimum 7–9 years of progressive experience spanning software engineering, digital transformation, and programme management, with at least 3 years directly in the energy or utilities sector.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully managing end-to-end digital transformation programmes from concept through commissioning — ideally within a distribution utility, energy ministry, multilateral organisation, or consulting firm serving these clients.
• Hands-on software engineering background: experience in designing, building, or overseeing development of enterprise-grade software products, APIs, data platforms, or utility-facing applications, with the ability to engage credibly with engineering teams on architecture, code quality, and delivery.
• Hands-on experience with distribution utility operations: understanding of T&D network operations, OMS/DMS/EMS/GIS systems, meter-to-cash processes, and commercial billing systems.
• Experience working with or within a DISCOM, state power utility, or equivalent regulated energy entity is strongly preferred.
• Prior exposure to climate finance, green energy, or international development programming is advantageous.
• Must be based in New Delhi or willing and able to relocate to New Delhi prior to joining. The role involves regular in-person engagement with government bodies, utility leadership, and partners in the National Capital Region.

Technical & Sector Knowledge

• Digital Transformation

  • End-to-end transformation architecture: technology assessment, solution design, vendor management, and change delivery.
  • Digital maturity modelling and diagnostic frameworks for utilities.
  • Experience deploying at least two of: AMI, SCADA/DMS, ERP (SAP IS-U or Oracle CC&B), GIS, field force automation, or customer self-service portals.

  Software Engineering

  • Solid foundation in software engineering principles: system design, APIs, microservices architecture, DevOps/CI-CD pipelines, and cloud-native development.
  • Proficiency in at least one backend language (Python, Java, Node.js, or equivalent) and familiarity with frontend frameworks sufficient to review and guide development teams.
  • Experience managing or working alongside engineering squads: sprint planning, code review culture, technical debt management, and release governance.
  • Hands-on exposure to building or integrating utility-facing software such as billing systems, MDMS, mobile field force apps, consumer portals, or grid management dashboards.
  • Ability to evaluate vendor software on technical merit by reviewing architecture diagrams, integration specs, and API documentation without relying solely on vendor claims.

  Programme and Project Management

  • Strong command of PM methodologies: Waterfall, Agile/Scrum, and hybrid approaches.
  • Experience managing multi-workstream, multi-stakeholder programmes with budgets exceeding USD 2 million.
  • Proficiency in PM tools such as MS Project, Jira, Smartsheet, or Asana.
  • Risk management, issue escalation, and executive reporting across complex programme portfolios.

  Change Management

  • Structured change management methodology (ADKAR, Kotter, or equivalent) applied to technology adoption in large organisations.
  • Communication planning, training design, and benefits realisation tracking.
  • Experience managing union-heavy or government-owned utility environments preferred.

  Big Data and Data Engineering

  • Understanding of data pipeline architecture: ingestion, storage (data lake/warehouse), transformation, and visualisation layers.
  • Familiarity with AMI/MDMS data flows, time-series energy data, and GIS data integration.
  • Exposure to cloud data platforms (AWS S3/Glue/Redshift, GCP BigQuery, Azure Synapse) and BI tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or Looker.
  • Data governance: data dictionaries, data quality management, and master data management in a utility context.

  AI and Machine Learning Products

  • Working knowledge of AI/ML application areas for utilities: demand forecasting, predictive maintenance, energy theft detection, fault classification, and customer analytics.
  • Ability to evaluate AI vendor proposals including model performance metrics, training data requirements, integration feasibility, and explainability.
  • Experience establishing or contributing to an AI governance or model risk framework.
  • Familiarity with LLMs and generative AI use cases relevant to utility back-office and field operations.

  Distribution Utility Domain Knowledge

  • Deep understanding of the distribution utility value chain: generation procurement, transmission interface, distribution network operations, commercial metering, billing, and consumer interface.
  • Familiarity with AT&C loss reduction programmes, RDSS (India), or comparable international grid investment frameworks.
  • Understanding of DER integration challenges: rooftop solar, EV charging load management, net metering, and DERMS deployment.

  Stakeholder and Partner Coordination

  • Ability to manage diverse, cross-sector stakeholder ecosystems: regulators, utilities, government ministries, technology vendors, financiers, and civil society.
  • Experience structuring and managing partnerships, MoUs, data-sharing agreements, and consortium arrangements.
  • Comfort engaging at senior leadership, board, and ministerial levels as well as at technical working-group level.

  Additional Desirable Skills and Attributes

  • Knowledge of regulatory structures: tariff orders, CERC/SERC proceedings (India), or equivalent national regulatory frameworks in other jurisdictions.
  • Cybersecurity awareness for OT/IT convergence environments: IEC 62351, NERC CIP standards, and secure communications for SCADA and AMI networks.
  • Understanding of climate finance instruments relevant to utility infrastructure: concessional loans, green bonds, results-based financing, and blended finance structures.
  • Experience with international development organisations (World Bank, ADB, USAID, GIZ, FCDO) and their programme design and reporting norms.
  • Familiarity with ISO 55000 (Asset Management) in the context of utility digitalisation.
  • Knowledge of open-source platforms relevant to energy: OpenADR, OpenDSS, FIWARE, or OSCP for EV/charging management.
  • Experience with regulatory sandbox design or innovation facilitation in regulated utility environments.
  • Prior experience as a CTO, VP Engineering, or Head of Digital in an energy sector organisation is a strong differentiator.
  • Multilingual capability is an advantage, particularly Hindi or other languages relevant to GEA's programme geographies.

Skills & Competencies

• Systems Thinking: Ability to see technical, commercial, and institutional dimensions of utility transformation as an integrated whole; designs solutions that address root causes rather than symptoms.

  Influence Without Authority: Achieves alignment and action across government bodies, utility management, and vendor partners without direct reporting lines.

  Adaptive Leadership: Navigates ambiguity in complex, politically sensitive environments; adjusts approach based on stakeholder dynamics and evolving programme context.

  Data-Driven Decision Making: Defaults to evidence and quantitative analysis while remaining sensitive to qualitative and contextual factors that shape utility organisations.

  Communication Excellence: Translates technical complexity into clear, compelling narratives for non-technical audiences; equally effective in boardrooms, field visits, and policy forums.

  Delivery Orientation: Strong bias for action and accountability; builds structured tracking mechanisms and holds self and others to agreed milestones and standards.

  Collaboration and Inclusion: Builds high-performing cross-functional teams; actively includes diverse perspectives from utility field staff to senior ministry officials.

Work Environment and Travel

• Primary base: New Delhi, India. Candidates must be based in or willing to relocate to New Delhi before joining.
• Regular in-person engagement with government ministries (Ministry of Power, MNRE), DISCOMs, and NCR-based partners is integral to the role.
• Hybrid work arrangement; significant presence at utility sites, government offices, and partner locations required.
• Domestic and international travel expected at 30–40% annually, including visits to utility field sites, state capitals etc.
• Must be comfortable working across time zones to coordinate with multilateral partners, development banks, and government counterparts.
• Professional development allowance for certifications, conferences, and executive education