Job Description
Position : General Manager, Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority
Location : Edmond, Oklahoma
Reports To : Board of Directors
About OMPA :
The Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority (OMPA) was created by the Oklahoma Legislature in 1981 to provide reliable and economical electric power to municipalities and public trusts operating municipal electric systems. Today, OMPA fulfills its mission by providing electricity to 43 member communities across Oklahoma serving a population of approximately 250,000 people.
With annual revenues exceeding $200 million, OMPA is nationally recognized for its commitment to public power values, innovative energy solutions, and strong member partnerships. The Authority employs an average of seventy-nine employees.
OMPA’s power supply portfolio is diverse, including wind, hydroelectric, natural gas, solar, landfill-to-gas, and coal resources. The Authority owns and operates three power plants and holds joint ownership in other generating facilities. Recent projects in OMPA’s power portfolio include the 120 MW North Fork Solar Project.
OMPA headquarters is in Edmond, Oklahoma and has additional offices in Ponca City, Marlow, and Fairview, Oklahoma.
About Edmond, Oklahoma :
- Location & Growth : Edmond lies north of Oklahoma City and has a population of approximately 96,000.
- Affluent & Educated : The median household income is about $102,000, with strong per capita earnings and a workforce boasting high educational attainment.
- Family-Friendly & Safe : Known for its high-performing schools and low crime rates, the lowest among Oklahoma’s top ten cities, Edmond is ideal for families and professionals .
- Quality of Life : Edmond features more than thirty-three public parks, extensive trail systems, Lake Arcadia for outdoor recreation, art festivals, local dining gems, and cultural hotspots such as the UCO Jazz Lab; Edmond blends a small-town charm with big-city amenities .
- Economic & Educational Anchors : Edmond is home to the University of Central Oklahoma (with 13,000 students) and benefits from a dynamic mix of industries and a strong local economy .
Position Overview :
OMPA seeks an experienced and visionary General Manager to provide strategic leadership and guide the Authority’s operations and future direction. Reporting to an 11-member Board of Directors, the General Manager serves as OMPA’s Chief Executive Officer, overseeing power supply, transmission, financial management, and support programs. The role is central to advancing OMPA’s mission, maintaining strong member relationships, and representing the interests of public power at state and national levels.
The General Manager provides direct supervision to department heads, including the Assistant General Manager, Director of Engineering, Director of Operations, Director of HR / Administration, Manager of Member Services, Power Production Manager, Manager of Environmental, Compliance and Safety, and an Executive Assistant.
Key Responsibilities :
Provide executive oversight of OMPA’s departments, including Finance, Engineering, Operations, Environmental, Power Production, and Member Services.Lead strategic planning, power supply management, and organizational development.Manage policy implementation, budget development, and financial performance.Represent OMPA before regulators, legislative bodies, and industry organizations such as APPA, MESO, FERC, and the Southwest Power Pool.Oversee power supply contracts, legal, and regulatory compliance, and transmission agreements.Foster positive relationships with member municipalities and external stakeholders.Ensure operational excellence, transparency, and adherence to public power values.Ideal Candidate Will Have :
Vision and Strategic Orientation : Provides a long-term outlook on the future needs of OMPA and its members; forward thinker approach to innovation, finance, and governance.Change & Risk Leadership : Anticipates and effectively manages change and risk throughout the organization.Analytical Thinking : Applies systematic and conceptual thinking to develop solutionsIndustry Knowledge : Extensive knowledge of the utility industry, public power, and electric utility operations, including generation, transmission, and distribution and uses it to guide OMPA’s future direction.Leadership & Engagement : Strong leadership skills, with proven success in engaging Boards, staff, and municipal stakeholders.Communication Skills : Listens, relates, and communicates clearly in both formal and informal settings.Financial & Regulatory Knowledge : Familiarity with tax-exempt financing, power supply contracting, and FERC regulatory frameworks.Team Building : Creates and fosters constructive working relationships and cohesive teams.Motivation & Influence : Inspires others to achieve outcomes aligned with OMPA’s vision, mission, and values.Safety Focus : Promotes and ensures the highest standards of safety across the organization.Financial Acumen : Strong understanding of budgeting, financial risk, and opportunities.Qualifications :
Education : Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Business, Finance, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.Experience : Preferred 10 years of senior-level management experience in the electric utility or public power sector, including executive oversight of complex operations. Minimum 5 years of direct leadership experience required.Knowledge : Deep understanding of electric utility operations, tax-exempt financing, regulatory frameworks, FERC policy, SPP markets and operations, and power supply contracting.Leadership : Demonstrated skills in leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement. Municipal utility experience is highly desirable.Compensation & Benefits
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. OMPA offers a comprehensive executive benefits package, including participation in the Oklahoma public retirement system (Pathfinder), comprehensive health insurance, and other employee benefits consistent with public sector leadership positions. Reasonable relocation expenses will be covered. Applicants should fee free to reach out to Andrea Simmons at asimmons@ompa.com to inquire about potential starting salary range and to receive more information about the benefits package offered.
How to Apply
Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, résumé, and references by October 24 th , 2025, to :
Career Center | RecruitmentOr by mail to Oklahoma Municipal Power AuthorityAttn : General Manager Search, PO Box 1960, Edmond, OK 73083
Or email application materials to : Andrea Simmons (asimmons@ompa.com)Resumes will be reviewed on a rolling case by case basis. Final candidates will be subject to background checks and pre-employment screenings.
Conduct interviews with selected candidates - Target Date : November 2025Compensation and employment negotiations completed - Target Date : January 2026Selected candidate to start at OMPA - Target Date : Late February 2026Fees and Expenses
Candidates’ reasonable travel expenses incurred to attend requested interviews may be reimbursed subject to applicable OMPA policy.