Capital Budget Manager

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage the annual capital budgeting process for all company districts and subsidiaries, overseeing approximately $450M in annual capital expenditures and $1.2B+ in three-year capital budgets.

• Lead the preparation, forecasting, administration, and reporting of capital budgets, ensuring alignment with company financial objectives and strategic priorities.

• Oversee the development and management of three-year capital budgets supporting California General Rate Case (GRC) filings, including more than 1,200 capital projects per GRC cycle.

• Serve as the company's technical lead for capital budgeting standards, processes, systems, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Act as the primary budget administrator for PowerPlan, overseeing project funding approvals, work orders, system enhancements, and user training.

• Review and approve capital funding requests, specific capital projects, non-specific work orders, and blanket work orders.

• Oversee the company's capital cost estimating program, including estimating methodologies, cost databases, cost catalogs, consultant coordination, and quality assurance.

• Partner with Engineering, Operations, Finance, Rates, and district leadership to develop, maintain, and monitor capital budgets and project forecasts.

• Analyze capital spending, budget-to-actual performance, project schedules, and forecasting trends to identify risks and opportunities for improvement.

• Support GRC proceedings by preparing capital budget documentation, responding to regulatory data requests, and assisting with CPUC and Cal Advocates inquiries.

• Collaborate with the Rates department on GRC submissions, settlement negotiations, project approvals, and regulatory reporting.

• Provide financial analysis and recommendations related to capital investment priorities, project funding, and GRC Earnings Test requirements.

• Oversee annual project validation processes, capital spending forecasts, project close targets, and carryover reporting.

• Prepare and present capital budget proposals, financial forecasts, and investment recommendations to senior leadership, company officers, and Board members.

• Manage and develop staff, including workload prioritization, performance evaluations, training, and professional development.

• Develop and deliver training materials, workshops, and process documentation related to capital budgeting systems and best practices.

• Support strategic planning initiatives and continuous improvement efforts within the Capital Planning and Engineering departments.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Financial Management, Economics, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field.

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in capital budgeting, financial forecasting, financial analysis, reporting, capital portfolio management, or related disciplines.

• Strong knowledge of capital project budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and budget-to-actual analysis.

• Experience managing large capital budgets and overseeing multiple projects or investment portfolios.

• Knowledge of capital project planning, cost estimating methodologies, project controls, and financial reporting.

• Experience administering or supporting PowerPlan or comparable enterprise capital budgeting systems strongly preferred.

• Understanding of CPUC regulations, General Rate Case (GRC) proceedings, regulatory filings, and utility capital budgeting processes.

• Familiarity with engineering and project management practices related to infrastructure planning, design, construction, and operations, preferably within water, wastewater, or utility environments.

• Experience developing and maintaining capital cost estimates, cost databases, and estimating standards preferred.

• Previous management or supervisory experience desirable, including staff development, performance management, and workload prioritization.

• Ability to analyze complex financial information, identify budget variances, develop forecasts, and provide actionable recommendations.

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate financial information to senior executives and stakeholders.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with Engineering, Operations, Finance, regulatory agencies, consultants, vendors, and cross-functional teams.

• Demonstrated leadership, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

• Ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and exercise independent judgment.

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation desirable.

• Valid California Driver License required.

• Ability to work onsite at an assigned company office.