Ava Charge Program Manager

About Ava Community Energy 

Ava Community Energy (Ava) is a Joint Powers Authority comprised of Alameda County and its incorporated areas, and the cities of Lathrop, Stockton, and Tracy. Ava’s charter is to provide its customers with low carbon, cost-effective electricity that integrates innovative energy products and maximizes local benefits through the development of local solutions, ranging from increasing access to rooftop solar to supporting the adoption of electric vehicles. 

Culture and Commitment to Diversity 

Ava believes in a vibrant culture that supports and nurtures a workplace that offers every individual the opportunity to attain professional goals and contribute to accomplishing our mission. We foster a culture of open communication, responsibility, curiosity, accountability, and teamwork. We want creative problem solvers who are excited to work in an entrepreneurial environment and grow our organization!  

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce that is reflective of our service area’s rich culture and communities. We welcome a diversity of experiences, perspectives, and skills. 

We strongly encourage people of all characteristics to apply and prohibit unlawful discrimination and harassment of any type based on age, religion, color, gender identity or expression, race, ancestry, or national origin, religion or creed, marital status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or characteristics, and those with a disability as protected by federal, state and local laws.

Position Summary

Ava is seeking candidates to join our growing agency and assume the following responsibilities as Program Manager of Ava Charge, our public electric vehicle (EV) fast charging network under development across our service territory.

Position Details

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead Cross-Functional Project Delivery: Manage cross-functional teams to launch and operate public EV fast charging sites, setting clear goals, timelines, budgets, and success criteria for the Ava Charge network.

• Oversee Full Program Lifecycle: Manage the delivery of complex public fast charging projects through the entire project lifecycle, from pre-development through construction and operations, and is responsible that all phases of the program are functioning and coordinated in a manner to achieve program goals.

• Coordinate Internal Communication & Planning: Establish, organize, and lead recurring meetings to ensure alignment, resolve communication gaps, and promote collaboration among subject matter experts (SMEs), team members, and external stakeholders.

• Manage Launch Timelines & Tools: Oversee project planning using Asana, ensuring timely execution, monitoring risk, and communicating status updates to team members and leadership in order to achieve target launch schedules of individual projects as the network grows.

• Ensure End-to-End Lifecycle Execution: Track tasks and progress across all stages of the project lifecycle, including internal efforts and external consultant contributions, to meet program goals and budgets.

• Identify Risks & Implement Mitigation Plans: Conduct ongoing risk assessments and collaborate with stakeholders to align objectives, manage conflicts, and maintain momentum.

• Contribute to Program Strategy & Documentation: Work with Product Managers and SMEs to integrate best practices and strategic planning into project execution; support documentation and knowledge sharing.

• Drive Operational Improvements: Identify process inefficiencies, implement improvements, and promote adoption of best practices across network development and operations.

• Track Performance & Costs: Lead the creation of dashboards and reports to monitor key performance indicators, program results, and costs; share insights with leadership during regular reviews.

• Collaborate Across Departments: Partner with internal teams (e.g., Regulatory, Engineering, Marketing, Analytics) to align on pricing, rate design, customer experience, and long-term planning.

Minimum Requirements:

• Extensive EV Charging Industry Expertise: Over 10 years of relevant experience, including at least 5 years in the EV charging industry, managing technical programs and public fast charging deployments.

• Proven Program & Project Leadership: Demonstrated success managing complex, cross-functional programs and initiatives with strong stakeholder engagement and consistent delivery against objectives.

• Technical Understanding of EV Infrastructure: Deep knowledge of EV charging systems, including infrastructure design, procurement, construction, operations, maintenance, and product lifecycle development.

• Strong Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Applies structured thinking to complex challenges; capable of exercising sound judgment, dispute resolution, and strategic planning in dynamic environments.

• Agile & Strategic Execution: Adept at navigating ambiguity—translating high-level goals into clear requirements, execution plans, and milestones across technical and operational teams.

• Effective Communicator & Team Player: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence without direct authority, align cross-functional teams, and manage organizational change.

• Hands-On Project Management Expertise: Proficient in project management methodologies, tools, and certifications, with a consistent track record of meeting deadlines and adapting to shifting priorities. Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is highly desired, but not required. Experience with Asana is also highly desired.

• Collaborative, Impact-Oriented Leadership: Recognized team player and leader who fosters group consensus, works independently, and thrives in high-pressure, fast-paced environments.

• Data-Driven & Results-Focused: Leverages analytics and key performance indicators to guide program improvements, performance measurement, and reporting.

• Flexible & Committed Professional: Willingness to travel and support meetings outside standard hours, with experience representing the organization and building partnerships with external stakeholders.

Compensation and Benefits 

The annual salary for this position is $161,058, with a Total Compensation of up to $177,163 annually based on performance.

Ava offers a generous benefits package which includes:

• Zero cost Individual, family, and domestic partner health insurance (medical, dental, vision)

• Life and AD&D, EAP, STD, and LTD

• Retirement with Employer Matching

• Social Security deferment plan

• Paid Time Off and Holidays

• Commuter Benefits

• Fertility & Adoption Benefits

• Pet Insurance

• Mental Health Support

• Flexible Spending Accounts (health and dependent care accounts)

• Paid Volunteer Days

• And More!

Location and Working Conditions 

This position will be based at Ava headquarters in Oakland, near BART. Ava's team has a hybrid approach inclusive of in-office and remote work. This role is expected to go into the office 2-3 days a week. We are not providing relocation or sponsorships currently.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Ava is dedicated to reasonably accommodate an applicant for known physical or mental disabilities so that the applicant may participate in the application process.  We will engage in a timely, good-faith interactive process with any employee with a known physical or mental disability to identify potential reasonable accommodations, if any, to enable the employee to perform the essential functions of their position.

• General office environment is primarily sedentary work which requires the following physical activities: standing, sitting, walking, reaching, lifting, finger dexterity, grasping, repetitive motions, talking, hearing and visual acuity. 

• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. 

• The noise level is usually moderate.

Licenses/Certificates 

Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver’s license or the ability to provide alternate transportation and a safe driving record. 

Working at Ava Community Energy 

Ava is committed to complying with applicable laws, including the Americans with Disability Act and Fair Employment and Housing Act, ensuring equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with a disability. Ava prohibits unlawful discrimination based on age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), genetic information or characteristics, gender identity, gender expression, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, marital status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, or on any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local laws.  Ava strives to maintain a COVID-free workplace, being fully vaccinated is a condition of employment (exemptions will be evaluated by legal counsel).

The information contained herein has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. The information also does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract, and these provisions are subject to change.