Senior Consulting Manager – Emergency Preparedness & Response (Utility Operations & Control Centre)
Houston, Texas, USA
About Cognizant Consulting
Cognizant Consulting is more than Cognizant’s consulting practice—we’re a global community of 5,000+ experts dedicated to helping clients reimagine their business. Blending our deep industry and technology advisory capabilities, we create innovative business solutions for Fortune 500 clients. And now, we’re looking for our next colleague who’ll join us in shaping the future of business and technology transformation.
About the Role
As a Senior Consulting Manager – Emergency Preparedness & Response (Utility Operations & Control Centre), you will make an impact by leading strategic emergency preparedness, operational resilience, and utility control center transformation initiatives for a large utility client. You will serve as a trusted advisor to senior client stakeholders while overseeing critical grid operations platforms, emergency response readiness, and operational excellence programs that support reliable utility operations before, during, and after major emergency events.
You will be a valued member of Cognizant Consulting’s Utilities practice and will collaborate closely with client leadership, control center operations teams, engineering, field operations, cybersecurity, information technology, and emergency management stakeholders to strengthen resiliency and drive operational improvements.
In this Role, You Will
- Lead Operations and Control Centre governance, strategy, and operational excellence initiatives supporting utility operations and emergency response.
- Oversee the performance, availability, and reliability of Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS), Outage Management Systems (OMS), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), and associated Operational Technology (OT) platforms.
- Serve as a senior operational leader during storm activations, emergency response events, and major restoration activities, ensuring effective coordination between control rooms, field operations, executive leadership, and emergency operations teams.
- Partner with cross-functional teams including Engineering, Telecommunications, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, and Operations to support system enhancements, integrations, testing, and modernization efforts.
- Develop, maintain, and continuously improve emergency preparedness plans, control center procedures, operating playbooks, and response protocols.
- Lead and facilitate emergency exercises, restoration readiness reviews, tabletop simulations, and after-action assessments to improve organizational preparedness and response effectiveness.
- Analyze operational and outage performance data to identify trends, determine opportunities for improvement, and enhance restoration outcomes.
- Act as a subject matter expert and escalation point for ADMS, OMS, SCADA, and utility operational technology solutions.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, NERC standards, utility operational procedures, and OT cybersecurity requirements.
- Partner with external organizations including regional transmission operators, utilities, emergency management agencies, and mutual assistance partners during large-scale events.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives, workforce readiness programs, operational resilience strategies, and organizational change initiatives.
Work Model
At Cognizant, we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible while ensuring we meet our client and business commitments.
This is an onsite position requiring four (4) days per week at the client location in Houston, Texas.
Regardless of your working arrangement, we are committed to supporting a healthy work-life balance through our wellbeing programs and employee support initiatives.
The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting and may change based on business and client requirements.
What You Must Have to Be Considered
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Emergency Management, Information Technology, Computer Science, Utilities Management, or a related discipline.
- 8+ years of experience within utility operations, emergency preparedness, control center management, operational resilience, grid operations, or utility consulting environments.
- Demonstrated experience leading or supporting utility emergency response activities, storm restoration efforts, business continuity programs, or crisis management initiatives.
- Hands-on experience with utility operational technology platforms including ADMS, OMS, SCADA, EMS, or similar utility systems.
- Strong knowledge of electric and/or gas distribution operations, utility network topology, outage restoration processes, and operational control center workflows.
- Experience leading cross-functional teams and coordinating multiple stakeholders during high-pressure operational or emergency situations.
- Strong executive communication, stakeholder management, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
- Ability to support emergency response activities requiring extended hours, weekends, holidays, and on-call participation as needed.
These Will Help You Succeed
- Experience with utility technology platforms such as GE, Schneider Electric/AVEVA, Oracle, Itron, Survalent, or comparable solutions.
- Utility consulting experience supporting electric, gas, or integrated energy clients.
- Experience integrating operational platforms with GIS, CIS, DERMS, AMI, telecommunications, or enterprise technology environments.
- Knowledge of grid modernization, distribution automation, distributed energy resources, and digital utility transformation programs.
- Experience working with FEMA Incident Command System (ICS), Emergency Operations Centers (EOC), and public-sector emergency management agencies.
- Familiarity with ERCOT operations, transmission organizations, and utility regulatory environments.
- Professional certifications including Certified Emergency Manager (CEM), Project Management Professional (PMP), NERC certifications, CISSP, or related industry credentials.
Why Choose Cognizant Consulting
Our consultants work at the intersection of business and technology, partnering with some of the world’s leading organizations to solve complex challenges and drive meaningful transformation.
At Cognizant Consulting, you will:
- Work on high-impact programs with leading utility organizations.
- Collaborate with industry-leading consulting and technology professionals.
- Build deep expertise in utility operations, resiliency, and digital transformation.
- Access world-class learning and development opportunities.
- Advance your career through a culture that values innovation, inclusion, and continuous growth.
Benefit
Cognizant offers a competitive total rewards package that includes:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
- Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts
- 401(k) Plan with Company Contributions
- Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program
- Wellbeing and Mental Health Resources
- Professional Development and Learning Programs
- Employee Recognition and Reward Programs
Benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and may vary based on employment status and location.
Post Closing Date
Applications will be accepted until August 30, 2026.
About Cognizant:
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, bridging the gap between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at cognizant.ai or @cognizant.
Additional employment information
Compensation information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email [email protected] with your request and contact information.
