Job Description

PRIMARY PURPOSE

The Vice President, Generation Support – ILS is the senior executive accountable for providing strategic operational support to the VP(s)/Director(s) of Plant Operations and reports to the SVP of Power Generation-ILS. This role ensures the safe, reliable, compliant, cost-effective and consistent operation of Tallgrass’ generation sites. This position leads and aligns critical support functions including Safety, Environmental, Financial Business Partnership, Training and Reliability Engineering. The VP establishes governance frameworks, builds high-performing, cross-functional organizations, supports management of 3rd party O&M performance and enables successful transition from construction and commissioning to sustained operations. In addition, this position will directly aid in the vetting of new ILS generation sites as well as the various generation technologies that may occupy these sites. These technologies will include but are not limited to aeroderivative turbines, combined cycle gas turbines, reciprocating engines and BESS infrastructure.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Executive Leadership & Operational Support

• Serve as the strategic operations support partner to the VP(s)/Director(s) of Plant Operations across design, construction, commissioning, startup, and long-term operations for all of Tallgrass’ generation sites.
• Establish operating strategies, governance models, and priorities for support functions aligned with company objectives and asset performance goals.
• Provide executive-level oversight, escalation support, and coordination across internal teams, contractors, vendors, regulators, and external stakeholders.

Third-Party O&M Governance

• Partner in selection, negotiation, and ongoing management of the third-party O&M provider.
• Establish performance expectations, service level agreements, operating metrics, and governance processes.
• Ensure accountability for safety, reliability, environmental compliance, cost performance, and continuous improvement.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Provide leadership and direction for Safety, Environmental, Finance, Training, and Reliability Engineering functions.
• Optimize resource allocation, collaboration, and execution across teams supporting plant operations.
• Build organizational capability through leadership development, succession planning, and talent management.

Commissioning, Readiness & Asset Performance

• Lead strategic readiness efforts for startup, commissioning, commercial operation, and sustained operations.
• Develop & execute support functions in areas including safety systems, environmental compliance, training, reliability programs, financial controls, spare parts strategy, and operational processes.
• Establish reliability and asset management strategies utilizing preventive, predictive, and condition-based maintenance practices.

Safety, Risk & Compliance Leadership

• Champion safety culture, environmental stewardship, regulatory compliance, and operational risk management.
• Ensure company teams, contractors, and O&M partners meet or exceed applicable safety and compliance expectations.
• Provide executive support during incidents, outages, emergencies, and major operational events.

Financial & Performance Management

• Partner with the VP of Operations and finance to support operating budgets, capital planning, forecasting, cost control, and lifecycle optimization.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators related to safety, reliability, environmental performance, training, cost, and O&M execution.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance operational performance and reduce lifecycle costs.

Leadership Expectations

• Provide visible executive leadership and promote a strong safety culture.
• Build alignment across operations, engineering, finance, contractors, and corporate leadership.
• Translate complex technical and operational challenges into clear business decisions.
• Develop high-performing teams and create sustainable organizational capability.
• Operate effectively in a dynamic, high-growth environment requiring flexibility and decisive action.

Work Requirements

• Maintain regular site presence during construction, commissioning, startup, and ongoing operations at Tallgrass generating sites.
• Travel as needed for ILS needs, suppliers, corporate activities, regulatory engagements, and operational support.
• Remain available for critical operational matters outside normal working hours, as needed.

Other

• Work closely with the ILS Commercial and Capital Projects teams, leveraging experience, contacts and skillsets to foster new generation /data center development opportunities to include the evaluation of various combinations of generation technologies.
• Perform other duties and strategic initiatives as assigned by Tallgrass executive leadership.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• College level coursework in a science related curriculum or related industry / military training.

Experience/Specific Knowledge:

• 15-20+ years of progressive experience in large-scale power generation, with demonstrated career progression into executive leadership.
• 2+ years in VP-level or equivalent executive roles with direct P&L accountability for plant delivery, commissioning/startup, and/or operations of large, multi-GW assets.
• Proven track record delivering commissioning, performance testing, and acceptance for complex, multi-technology plants at an executive oversight level.
• Deep expertise in power generation technologies (combined cycle gas turbines, aeroderivative gas turbines, grid interconnection, BOP), energy storage, and carbon capture infrastructure.
• Advanced understanding of process safety (PSM/CCPS), electrical safety, high-energy systems, and industrial environmental regulations, with experience engaging directly with regulatory agencies at a senior level.
• Demonstrated experience building and scaling operations organizations from project execution through sustained operations, including CMMS (Maximo preferred), reliability programs, and condition-based maintenance strategies.
• Proven executive presence and experience engaging with boards, lenders, insurers, and other external financing/regulatory stakeholders.
• Exceptional ability to lead multidisciplinary, multi-site teams, manage senior contractor relationships, and drive influence across the enterprise without direct authority.
• Strong financial acumen, including budget ownership, capital planning, and life-cycle cost management at an enterprise scale.

Certifications, Licenses & Registrations:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record satisfactory to the company and its insurers.
• Preferred: NEBOSH, IOSH, OSHA 30, or other recognized safety leadership certifications
• Ability to obtain additional certifications as needed.

Competencies, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong safety leadership and commitment to safety culture.
• Exceptional stakeholder management, communication and negotiation skills. Ability to distill complex technical issues for executive audiences.
• Commercial acumen with experience managing budgets, forecasting and cost control for large projects and operations.
• Strong contract/commercial management skills: scope control, change management, claims mitigation.
• Effective people leader with demonstrated ability to recruit, build and retain high‑performing teams.
• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, high‑pressure environments and drive decisive action.
• Proficient with CMMS (Maximo), historian systems (OSI PI), Microsoft Office suite (Excel advanced), and standard asset management tools.
• Willingness and ability to be resident on site for extended periods during construction/commissioning and to travel as required

Physical Demands:

All the physical requirements listed below are those that may be necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Frequent sitting, standing, walking or moving throughout facility and construction areas; occasional climbing, stooping, kneeling, or crouching.
• Ability to access all plant areas and to use personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.
• Talking, hearing, close and distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.
• Occasional lifting of items up to 25 lbs. and frequent use of hands for typing, handling documents and tools.

Working Conditions:

• The VP Generation Support is expected to be on site regularly during construction, commissioning and early operations; residency on site during peak phases is required.
• Infrequent overnight and weekend travel to suppliers, corporate offices, regulatory meetings and other sites may be required.
• Required to carry a company cell phone and be available to respond during working and non‑working hours as necessary.
• The successful candidate will be required to clear a drug screen and complete background check (including credit report for certain roles) after an offer has been extended and prior to being employed.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Direct supervisory responsibility for site support personnel. Responsible for hiring, coaching, performance management and development of staff.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

Above the minimum requirements; not required but advantageous in this position :

• Prior experience as Plant VP/Director for multi‑GW power or large chemical facilities.
• Experience with combined cycle plant commissioning, aeroderivative commissioning, electrolysis/hydrogen production, battery energy storage systems and integration of multiple generation technologies on a private utility network.
• Experience implementing and optimizing Maximo CMMS at site level, and integration with condition monitoring tools and OSI PI.
• Prior exposure to CCUS or large‑scale emissions control technologies and permitting processes.
• Familiarity with utility interconnection, behind‑the‑meter (BTM) regulations and private use networks (PUN) operations. Including BESS and related infrastructure.
• Experience leading multi‑contractor environments and managing owner‑directed subcontracts in parallel with LSTK scope.
• Experience managing interactions with lenders, insurers and performance guarantee frameworks.
• Advanced Excel and data analytics skills, and experience with reliability engineering and root cause analysis methods.

Other responsibilities:

• Please note this job description is not designed to encompass or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Tallgrass is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, citizenship status, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected status. EOE/M/F/D/V

Tallgrass was named one of the Top Workplaces USA and highlighted in Colorado's Top Workplaces for the past seven consecutive years. Tallgrass is a leading energy infrastructure company focused on safely, reliably, and sustainably delivering the energy and services that power our nation and enable our quality of life.

At Tallgrass, we value our teams and strive to create an environment where employees feel respected, and their contributions are valued. We aim to support employees' physical, mental, and financial well-being through a comprehensive Total Rewards Program.

• Industry competitive pay
• Health insurance package options that include Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts
• Infertility Coverage
• Parental Leave
• 401(k) with up to a 6% match that vests immediately plus an employer discretionary contribution of up to 4%
• Wellness Programs and Mental Health Resources
• Employer-paid life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage
• Critical Illness & Accident Insurance
• Vacation, sick days, paid caregiver leave, volunteer and bereavement paid time off
• Identity theft protection
• Annual discretionary bonus
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Company-paid holidays and floating holidays
• Company vehicle (if applicable)
• Employee discounts; vehicles, tires, cellular plans, and more
• Networking and employee engagement events
• Personal development to grow your career with us based on your strengths and interests

Application Deadline: Recruiting timelines vary by position; however, all Tallgrass positions accept applications for at least five business days from the posting date. This position is open and still accepting applications.

Compensation: Compensation ranges are provided in good faith based on what we anticipate when researching wages for this position at the state and national levels. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This salary range may also be modified in the future.

Notice to External Search Firms: Tallgrass does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Unsolicited referrals and resumes are considered Tallgrass property; therefore, Tallgrass will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited referral. Approved vendors may be invited to refer talent for specific positions at Tallgrass's request only. A fully executed agreement with Tallgrass must be in place and current in these cases.

EEO Statement: Tallgrass complies with all Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) affirmative action laws and regulations. Tallgrass does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender Identity and expression, disability, veteran status, pregnancy status, or other status protected by law.