Pipeline Safety System Program Manager

Job Description

Provides strategic leadership and comprehensive oversight of PSE's Pipeline Safety Management System (PSMS) to ensure optimal system performance and regulatory excellence. This encompasses ensuring full compliance with federal and state program requirements and regulations, delivering executive-level status reporting and analytics, facilitating cross-functional stakeholder engagement and strategic decision-making processes, and spearheading continuous improvement initiatives that enhance operational effectiveness and safety outcomes.

Identifies, plans and manages PSMS related business initiatives and processes in support of continuous improvement activities that result in organizational change. Applies and mentors others on best practices for driving successful outcomes. Creates and implements change management plans that minimize stakeholder resistance. Partners across the business to drive a culture of safety throughout all functions of PSE’s gas systems. Develops strategies for damage prevention and public safety.  

Upholds the safety compliance standards inherent in PSE’s operating and/or field procedures related to work responsibilities. Promotes and supports a culture of total safety.

Demonstrates commitment to conduct business honestly, ethically and consistent with our core values and Code of Conduct. Ensures duties are performed in accordance with all regulatory compliance obligations. 

Job Responsibilities

• Leads PSMS initiative teams, sub teams, and/or associated consultants and vendors on a broad variety of complex, cross-organization goals with a focus on achieving sustainable results.
• Own and maintain the multi-year PSMS strategic roadmap, establishing long-term priorities, milestones, and maturity objectives aligned with corporate safety, operational, and regulatory goals.
• Lead the evolution of the PSMS program by identifying emerging risks, industry trends, regulatory developments, and best practices, translating insights into actionable improvement strategies.
• Lead enterprise-wide coordination of PSMS activities, facilitating collaboration among operational leaders, compliance partners, and subject matter experts to achieve program objectives.
• Ensure ongoing alignment of the PSMS program with API RP 1173 requirements, regulatory expectations, and internal governance standards through proactive assessment, planning, and oversight.
• Serve as the strategic advisor to executive leadership on PSMS priorities, maturity progression, compliance risks, and opportunities for organizational improvement.
• Provides coaching, direction and leadership support to team members in order to achieve employee, business and customer results.
• Develops, creates and maintains program plans that deliver business case objectives, and that integrate change management activities that promote a culture of pipeline safety. 
• Maintains and becomes the subject matter expert on RP-1173 requirements (an American Petroleum Institute, API, recommended practice).  Keeps up with all changes to RP-1173 as well as industry best practices on program implementation.  
• Partners with leadership to continuously drive the PSMS program to higher levels of maturity. 
• Facilitates the PSMS Council to ensure risks and actions are appropriately prioritized and implemented.
• Communicates effectively with leadership and PSMS key groups.  
• Updates and gathers input from the Executive Safety Committee, Gas/Electric Operations Directors, and the WUTC regarding program health and progress.  
• Actively gathers and monitors data/information integral to PSE’s PSMS. Uses information to maintain and distribute PSMS metrics and dashboards.
• Tracks the progress of improvement activities to close gaps or enhance the effectiveness of PSMS processes.
• Coordinates necessary stakeholder support for internal and external PSMS audits.
• Ensures highest priority management related to PSMS activities.
• Develops and implements strategies to address damage prevention and public safety issues.
• Participates in emergency response efforts as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering or technology; or equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.
• Seven (7) years of experience successfully leading/implementing multi-disciplined projects and initiatives.
• Seven (7) years of experience utilizing high-involvement process improvement or change management techniques/tools.
• Experience facilitating large groups.
• Ability to quickly build trust and value-based relationships with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Understanding of change management concepts and techniques. Strong coaching and influencing skills.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast paced environment.
• Ability to take initiative and work both independently and as a part of a team to drive results.
• Excellent communication skills at all levels with the ability to present information in a professional manner.
• Ability to prepare and present to the director/executive level.
• Ability to influence without authority.

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of RP-1173 requirements.
• Graduate degree/coursework.
• Experience in program management.
• Experience with safety or quality management systems.
• Natural gas industry experience (engineering, operations, project management, etc.).
• PMP certification. 
• Lean Six Sigma certification.

Additional Information