Our mission (share it!):
Optiwatt’s mission is to reverse global warming through the advancement of home electrification. We make home energy usage cheaper, greener, and more simple by building towards the world’s largest network of connected homes to balance the electric grid. Our investors are some of the most active impact investing firms out there and we hold ourselves accountable to each other and the future generations of this planet. Do you want to straddle the intersection of technology and purpose on our growth trajectory to 1,000,000 homes and beyond? We hope so.
Our culture (thrive in it!):
"We're a small team of genuinely ethical people driven by helping others and our planet. And we love our virtual gaming tournaments." - Casey
"I love the people here like a family. We work hard and our laid-back culture is strong. It is a flat, collaborative organization, I pitch directly to the CEO and feel heard, even when it's outside my specialty." - Nina
"We love what we do, which makes it feel more like a fun weekend project than work. And after all the features have been deployed, we sometimes disc golf." - Danny
"The culture is fun, full of hope and excitement. The office is always full of jokes and discussion about how we can better ourselves and the electric grid." - Zoe
Your impact (grow it!):
Optiwatt works with North America’s top leading electric utilities to drive consumer education, electrification, and load management within our Optiwatt application. Our goals are to reduce the utilities overall cost of energy and customer service while increasing customer satisfaction and program participation. As the VP of Operations at Optiwatt, you will have a proven track record in high-growth environments and a deep understanding of operational strategy and execution. This role will be pivotal in ensuring our operations are efficient, scalable, and aligned with our business objectives. This role will also be critical in shaping the financial future of our company as we continue to expand.
Your primary directives at Optiwatt will be as follows:
Financial Strategy & Planning:
- Develop and execute financial strategies to support the company's growth objectives.
- Lead the annual budgeting process, including long-term financial planning and forecasting.
- Provide strategic recommendations to the CEO and executive team based on financial analysis and projections.
Operational Finance:
- Oversee all financial operations including accounting, FP&A, treasury, tax, and compliance.
- Ensure the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of financial reporting.
- Manage cash flow and capital structure to ensure the company has adequate liquidity.
Stakeholder Management:
- Serve as a key point of contact for investors, auditors, and regulatory bodies.
- Prepare and present financial performance reports to the board of directors and investors.
- Lead fundraising efforts and manage relationships with financial institutions and investors.
Operational Strategy & Execution:
- Develop and implement operational strategies to support the company's growth and objectives.
- Oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness across all departments.
- Identify and mitigate operational risks to ensure business continuity and resilience.
Process Improvement:
- Continuously evaluate and improve operational processes to enhance productivity and reduce costs.
- Implement best practices and innovative solutions to drive operational excellence.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational efficiency.
Cross-Functional Leadership:
- Collaborate with other executives to ensure alignment and integration of operations with overall business strategy.
- Lead and mentor operational teams, promoting a high-performance culture.
- Facilitate effective communication and coordination between departments.
Resource Management:
- Oversee resource allocation to ensure optimal utilization of assets and personnel.
- Manage budgets and financial planning for operational activities.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards.
Performance Metrics & Reporting:
- Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure operational success.
- Provide regular reports and updates to the CEO and board of directors on operational performance.
- Use data-driven insights to make informed decisions and drive operational improvements.
Executive Support / Administration:
- Act as a strategic advisor and confidant to the CEO, providing critical support on key business initiatives.
- Manage the CEO’s calendar, meetings, and communications to ensure optimal efficiency and effectiveness.
- Prepare and review documents, reports, and presentations for the executive team.
Requirements:
You are someone who is….
- Excited to work on any of the following; electric vehicles, smart thermostats, the electric grid, technology, climate change reduction
- Has 5+ years of experience in operations management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
- Has experience in a high-growth startup or technology company, preferably within a Series A or later stage.
- Has a proven track record of successfully managing and scaling operations in dynamic environments.
- Has a strong understanding of operational strategy, process improvement, and resource management.
- Has excellent leadership and team-building skills with a collaborative, results-oriented approach.
- Has superior problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
- Has outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and inspire at all levels of the organization.
Benefits:
Grow with us
We just closed our Series A and have investors from the most reputable names in venture capital and impact investing: Google Ventures, Navitas Capital, Urban Innovation Fund, and Active Impact Investments. We have our sights set on the stars, so if you're interested in growth potential, the sky's the limit here at Optiwatt.
We invest in your growth because we know that even if you aren’t with us forever, empowering you to better tackle climate change helps all of us. The best part of working in the clean technology industry is the enormous collaboration between companies, founders, investors, and yes, even utilities. Everyone is driven by the same goal: reduce global warming and move us towards a truly sustainable future.
We encourage you to step outside of your role and show us what you can do. Ask for opportunity and you will receive it, offer up ideas and you will be heard. We desire to match people with work that excites them the most, and we will support you in your journey to learn and grow to accomplish that goal.
If your resume doesn't quite fit these job requirements, please apply anyway and tell us where you think you could help us! Climate change and grid stability are enormous problems and we would love help from talented people with any background.
Shine with us
The salary range for this job is $150,000 to $230,000, plus equity compensation dependent on experience.
Optiwatt is a growing startup that offers competitive salaries and benefits to all employees, rivaling the giants of the tech world. Some of these amazing perks include:
- Ability to work fully remote, hybrid, or in-person in our following branches
- San Francisco, CA
- Denver, CO
- Columbus, OH
- Minneapolis, MN
- Stock options dependent on experience and salary flexibility
- Healthcare, vision, and dental
- $1,500 improvement or mental wellness purchase match
- 401k contribution and matching
- Every other Friday off
- Unlimited paid vacation/sick leave
- Yearly company retreats to far-away places
- Flexible work hours, and we mean it. We want you to work when you are most productive, no matter if you are a night owl, early bird, or live in a different US time zone.
- Paid career development opportunities (learn a skill!)
- $1,000 expensed home office supplies, work travel, team entertainment, etc. as necessary