Job Description

SEE APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS BELOW.

The Board of Directors (Board) for Connexus Energy (Connexus) is seeking to fill the position of President & Chief Executive Officer. Connexus Energy is Minnesota’s largest member-owned electric cooperative with approximately 9,500 miles of line serving more than 145,000 members across nearly 1,000 square miles. Connexus is headquartered in Ramsey, Minnesota, just north of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Connexus service territory provides a balance of rural and city, which provides an abundance and breadth of activities from music, parks, restaurants, theater, sporting events, hunting, fishing, festivals, golf, and so much more! We tout an excellent education system, access to world-class healthcare, a strong sense of community, and a great place to raise a family. We hope you will take the time to consider this opportunity – we would love to consider you as the next leader of the Connexus team!

Connexus Energy is proud of its many accomplishments. In 2022 Connexus reached agreement with our generation and transmission provider (G&T) and transitioned from a member owner to a customer, allowing Connexus the flexibility and autonomy to design its own future resource portfolio. In 2023, we developed a ten-year resource plan to serve as a long-term roadmap for meeting the future energy needs of Connexus members. In 2024, we have seen the value of the new agreement and the resource plan as they have been put into action with outstanding results. Another recent accomplishment includes the cooperative being recognized by Fast Company magazine for innovative practices. Looking forward, Connexus is being considered for several Federal grants of which we are optimistically awaiting final word. Historically, Connexus ranks amongst the top utilities nationally for outstanding reliability, member satisfaction, and affordability. Our technology is leading the industry, and our staff is talented, committed, hard-working, and engaged. The culture is one of collaboration and respect, where employees are empowered to act and encouraged to be innovative.

Accountabilities of the CEO include:

• In conjunction with the Board, serve as the strategic leader, developing and driving business strategies and plans, ensuring alignment with short-term and long-term objectives.
• Lead and motivate a six-person executive team who are responsible for day-to-day operations. As CEO, ensure senior leaders are delivering on expectations of high performance, growth, and continuous improvement across all disciplines.
• Reporting directly to an eight-person Board of Directors; responsible for administering policies and directives established by the Board.
• Champion the development and growth of organizational talent and advance overall employee engagement.
• Responsible for keeping the Board well-informed and connected, providing them with ideas, options, and information to appropriately assess risk and opportunities that allow for well-informed and confident decisions, as well as keeping them abreast on the overall condition of the cooperative including member relations, financial, power supply, regulatory, risk, technology, operations, safety, and employee satisfaction.
• Foster a culture of innovation, improvement, results, and success in every function of the cooperative, and strengthen the company’s vision, culture and values.
• Direct and participate in matters dealing with legislators, lobbying groups, business partners, rating agencies, and other external partners and stakeholders.
• Lead the cooperative and the evolving business model, embracing new energy solutions and possibilities, as Connexus and other electric utilities across the state move toward 100 percent carbon-free by 2040.

Desired qualifications include the following:

• Master’s and/or bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, or a technical-professional area such as economics, engineering, finance, etc.
• Several years of increasingly responsible administrative, management, and supervisory experience.
• Deep industry knowledge.
• Member/customer focused, with the ability to instill that same member-focus culture throughout all levels of the organization.
• Commitment to safety.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, and experience in public presentations to diverse audiences.
• Strong people and relationship-building skills to form positive connections with individuals both inside and outside the organization.
• Possess the emotional intelligence to manage your own emotions as well as adapt your interactions to others appropriately.
• Experience in designing and implementing an organizational strategic plan.
• Ability to motivate, inspire and energize staff in the drive toward accomplishment of the cooperative’s goals and strategies.
• A working understanding of Board-CEO/Staff relations and a foundational commitment to mutual trust and respect.
• Long record of acting ethically, transparently, empathetically, and with the highest level of integrity.
• Strong work ethic, adaptable, and resilient in the face of challenging situations, changing priorities, and an evolving work environment.
• Commitment to the Seven Cooperative Principles.

All inquiries and applicant information shall be kept strictly confidential.

Application packages requested by October 18, 2024, and should include:

1. Cover letter with salary requirements
2. Resume
3. Written responses to the following questions:
   • Outside of what we can see from your resume, summarize what you believe are the key attributes you bring and that make you uniquely qualified to be the next CEO of Connexus Energy.
   • Describe any strategic planning experience you may have. Please also share one strategic initiative you were instrumental in identifying and leading for which you are especially proud.
   • Help us to get a picture of your leadership style and relationship building skills:
     • with direct reports and others across the organization, and
     • with members, and
     • with governmental agencies and officials.

Send all application materials to: Chair.Bator@connexusenergy.com

Questions should be directed to:

Fran Bator, Board Chair

Email: Chair.Bator@connexusenergy.com

-- Or --

Linda Maegi, Vice President of Employee Services

Email: Linda.Maegi@connexusenergy.com

Mobile: 763-218-9660

Total Rewards: Connexus Energy offers competitive salary and incentive programs and an attractive benefits package including medical, dental, life, company provided disability insurance, generous company contribution and match to 401(k), tuition reimbursement, and more.

An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer: Minorities, Women, Veterans, Disabilities

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or veteran status.

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