President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Vermont Gas Systems (VGS) is a pioneering natural gas utility committed to advancing clean energy solutions while delivering safe, reliable, and affordable energy with exceptional customer care. Serving more than 56,000 customers across Chittenden, Franklin, and Addison counties, VGS plays a vital role in supporting Vermont’s communities and energy future.

With a dedicated team of more than 150 employees, VGS is driven by a strong culture of safety, commitment to operational excellence, and advancing innovation to continuously meet the needs of its customers.  

VGS is a privately held company and, along with Green Mountain Power, is a subsidiary of Énergir, a diversified Quebec-based energy company. Énergir’s mission is to provide increasingly sustainable ways to meet the energy needs of the customers and communities it serves.  As part of the Énergir family, VGS benefits from the strength, resources, and strategic vision of a leading energy organization while maintaining a strong local presence and deep community connections. Together, VGS and Énergir are aligned in advancing sustainability, reliability, and long-term value for customers, employees, and stakeholders.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

We are seeking a President & CEO who will lead our organization through a complex landscape of  dynamic markets and innovative opportunities, while remaining within a regulatory framework. The ideal candidate will possess an understanding of the energy sector, particularly in natural gas and/or renewable energy, will be adept at navigating the evolving regulatory and political environment in Vermont, and will be passionate about exceptional service and a clean energy future. The ideal candidate will also have experience in entrepreneurial growth to guide the VGS’s expanding portfolio of innovative products and services. The ideal candidate will also be a proven people leader and skilled communicator with the demonstrated performance to lead a diverse team to achieve both short-term and long-term strategic objectives. This position reports to the VGS Board of Directors. As the senior executive of the Énergir subsidiary, the CEO also has a close relationship with Énergir management, including the Énergir Board of Directors, and is a member of the Énergir Group Management Committee.

WHAT ARE THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THIS POSITION?         

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement a comprehensive, dynamic strategic plan that aligns with parent company Énergir’s strategy and with Vermont's climate objectives while addressing affordability concerns. Foster a culture of innovation and sustainability within the organization. 
• Team Development& Culture: Cultivate a company culture that drives organizational performance – one that prioritizes employee safety, engagement, well-being,  inclusivity, and continuous learning and growth.  Lead, mentor, and inspire a diverse executive team, ensuring alignment and effective collaboration across the company. 
• Regulatory Navigation: Actively monitor and respond to government policy risks, including changes in federal incentives, state law and regulations, and local climate actions. Advocate for policies that support the growth of renewable natural gas (RNG) and other decarbonization initiatives. 
• Market Expansion: Identify and pursue new market opportunities, including unregulated services and alternative energy products as part of a growth, diversification and decarbonization strategy. Develop strategies to overcome barriers to entry and ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks. 
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including Énergir, government officials, regulatory bodies, community organizations, and customers. Communicate the VGS’s vision and initiatives effectively to foster support and collaboration. Collaborate with external partners to further State goals, including strategic electrification.
• Financial Oversight: Ensure the financial health of the organization by managing costs, optimizing pricing strategies, and exploring innovative funding opportunities. Address the impact of economic volatility on customer rates and service offerings. 
• Risk Management: Proactively identify and mitigate controllable and uncontrollable risks associated with supply chain disruptions, regulatory changes, and market competition. Develop contingency plans to address extreme weather events and other operational challenges. 

• Self-motivated leader with a team-oriented management style.
• Proven experience in a senior leadership role, preferably within the energy sector, with a passion for sustainability and renewable energy.
• Highly effective at connecting employees to the company vision and fostering collaboration of shared goals. Proven ability to inspire and motivate teams to achieve ambitious goals. 
• High ethical standards and commitment to an inclusive workplace culture.
• Demonstrated effectiveness to lead and connect with a diverse workforce, building trust and alignment across all levels of the organization – including professionals, technicians, and front-line employees. 
• Proven ability to flourish with flexibility and resilience in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment within a rapidly changing industry landscape.
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, environmental science, engineering, law, or a related field; advanced degree preferred. 
• In-depth understanding of federal and state energy policies, regulatory frameworks, market dynamics affecting the natural gas industry, and emerging trends in clean energy and sustainability. 
• Proven track record of developing and executing strategic initiatives that drive innovation and growth in a complex regulatory environment. 
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage and influence a wide range of stakeholders. 
• Proven ability to articulate complex concepts to a wide variety of stakeholders, including directors, internal staff, regulators, legislators, advocates, counterparties, and others.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a focus on data-driven decision-making. 
• Strong technology curiosity and aptitude to learn and leverage technology solutions for communication, analysis, and efficient workflows.
• Proven ability to produce timely and accurate work with attention to detail.