Job Summary
The Director Gas Operations drives best-in-class Safety Culture, leads Operational Effectiveness initiatives to improve Operational performance, and drives Simplicity and Customer focus by assuring Operations is Brilliant in the Basics. The Director will develop clear strategic initiatives to improve Operational Performance through optimizing resource allocation, Compliance, Safety First, Customer focus, Employee Development through mentoring and coaching. Ensures that efforts are in accordance with all applicable company and regulatory requirements while ensuring safe, reliable service to customers in an efficient manner.
Essential Functions
Leads and sustains a culture of Safety Leadership and Goal Zero, ensuring safety considerations are fundamental to strategic, operational, and financial decision-making.
Demonstrates the ability to Make Safety Personal by consistently modeling “We Care” behaviors and reinforcing accountability at all leadership levels.
Champions Barrier Thinking by ensuring robust hazard recognition, effective risk mitigation, and prevention of hazards escalating into top events.
Establishes an environment of trust and transparency that encourages disclosure, near miss reporting, and learning from experience to strengthen organizational safety performance.
Provides leadership oversight of Damage Prevention strategies, promoting best‑in‑class excavation practices and external stakeholder engagement to protect communities and assets.
Translates enterprise and business unit strategy into clear operational priorities, annual work plans, and measurable outcomes.
Ensure operational performance objectives and OKRs—such as safety, productivity, efficiency, utilization, and reliability—are consistently achieved or exceeded.
Leverages performance dashboards and analytics to drive disciplined execution, timely course correction, and continuous improvement.
Ensures full compliance with local, state, and federal regulatory requirements, maintaining audit readiness and proactively addressing regulatory risks.
Accountable for the effective planning, prioritization, and stewardship of capital and O&M budgets, aligning resources to system risk, asset health, safety priorities, and long-term value.
Balances cost discipline with operational integrity, safety, and customer commitments to achieve sustainable performance.
Leads gas operations to deliver safe, reliable, and compliant service, supporting top tier customer satisfaction, community trust, and brand reputation.
Reviews, develops, and governs policies, procedures, and assurance programs to ensure alignment with organizational objectives, regulatory expectations, and industry best practices.
Build strong partnerships across the leadership team to align goals, clarify accountability, and deliver integrated enterprise outcomes.
Works collaboratively with cross functional partners to identify, recommend, and implement process improvements, technologies, and systems that enhance safety, efficiency, and resource utilization.
Promotes a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging learning, innovation, and the disciplined application of best practices.
Develops high performing leadership teams by setting clear expectations, providing coaching, and reinforcing accountability.
Proactively builds succession plans and bench strength by identifying and developing direct reports and emerging leaders.
Champions NiSource Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging initiatives, leveraging inclusive leadership practices to improve engagement, decision quality, and business results.
Performs other duties as required to support safe, reliable, and compliant gas operations.
Required Qualifications for Position
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant technical, engineering, or business discipline; or high school diploma with 10+ years of gas/electric utility experience with at least 5 years of experience leading utility operational functions is required, regardless of education level.
Demonstrated experience managing and developing leaders, including supervisors and/or managers, within an operational environment.
Proven ability to drive strategic direction
Possess a comprehensive understanding of methods, techniques and skills in the operations and maintenance of natural gas pipelines
Proven ability to plan, organize and effectively manage a large operations organization. Requires continuous availability to manage a 24x7 operation
Ability to develop rapport and trust with others and take action to build strategic relationships to achieve business goals
Effective analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Ability to make quick and practical operations decisions in limited time frames without jeopardizing employees and public safety
Demonstrated experience working with colleagues in a fast-moving environment, supervise multiple projects and take ownership, mentor, grow and lead a team
Strong communication and negotiation skills, and business acumen
Understanding of budgeting processes and ability to take decisions to work within budgets
Demonstrated knowledge of philosophy and process of Continuous Improvement
Possess personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to Company’s mission
Ability to travel approximately 25% to 50%+
Valid driver’s license
Preferred Additional Qualifications for Position
A master’s degree is highly preferred in Business Administration, Economics, Engineering, Environmental or related field.
Experience in leading a Field Operations or System Operations function or territory
Demonstrated ability to provide oversight, leadership and direction in the overall management of Gas Operations
Physical Demands
Standing - Occasionally
Walking - Occasionally
Sitting - Constantly
Lifting - Rarely
Carrying - Rarely
Pushing - Rarely
Pulling - Rarely
Climbing - Rarely
Balancing - Rarely
Stooping - Rarely
Kneeling - Rarely
Crouching - Rarely
Crawling - Rarely
Reaching - Rarely
Handling - Occasionally
Grasping - Occasionally
Feeling - Rarely
Talking - Constantly
Hearing - Constantly
Repetitive Motions - Frequently
Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination - Frequently
The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for the position.
As a public utility, NiSource is required to provide continuous service to customers at all times. To ensure we fulfill that obligation, employees may be required to work outside their normal work hours and perform tasks outside of their normal responsibilities in support of emergency operations.
Work Authorization
Authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.
Workplace Connection
Value inclusion within your day to day responsibilities by respecting others perspectives/convictions, engaging others opinions, creating a safe environment where people, ideas, and opinions are valued within your Team/Customers and external partners.
Respect the unique lived experiences within your Team/Customers and external work partners by valuing different world views, challenges, and cultures that represents all walks of life and all backgrounds.
Treat others with respect and consideration. Actively participate in creating and contributing to a positive work environment.
Equal Employment Opportunity
NiSource is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in each of its companies to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, veteran status, disability, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, childbirth or related medical conditions), genetic information, citizenship status, or any protected group status as defined by law. Each employee is expected to abide by this principle.
By applying, you may be considered for other job opportunities.
ADA Accommodations
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process or to perform the essential functions of the position, please contact OneHR at [email protected] or 1-888-640-3320
Safety Statement
Promote a safe work environment by actively participating in all aspects of our employee safety program. Report any unsafe conditions and take actions to prevent personal injuries. Support our interdependent safety culture by ensuring the safety of your co-workers. Stay focused on the task at hand and promote productivity through good work habits.
E-Verify
NiSource participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify program. As part of this process, we provide the following notices to all job applicants: These documents inform you of your rights and responsibilities under U.S. law. You can view or download them using the links below:
- E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) E-Verify Participation Poster English and Spanish
- Right to Work Poster (English and Spanish) If you have the right to work, don't let anyone take it away
Salary Range*:
$160,100.00 - $240,100.00*The salary offered to a candidate is based on several factors including but not limited to the candidate’s skills, job-related knowledge, and relevant experience, as well as internal pay equity.
Posting Start Date:
2026-05-15Posting End Date (if applicable):
2026-05-23Please note that the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical, engineering, or business discipline or high school diploma with 10+ years of gas/electric utility experience
- At least 5 years of experience leading utility operational functions
- Demonstrated experience managing and developing leaders within an operational environment
- Strong communication and negotiation skills
- Understanding of budgeting processes
- Effective analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
- Ability to travel approximately 25% to 50%+
What We Do
NiSource (NYSE: NI) helps energize the lives of its nearly 4 million natural gas and electric customers across six states. Our local utilities – Columbia Gas and NIPSCO – ensure that customers receive safe, reliable and affordable natural gas and electric service each and every day. Our business plan is focused on proactively investing in our energy infrastructure – approximately $1.4 billion a year – to ensure we meet and improve upon our customer commitments for the next 100 years. We employ more than 7,000 of our neighbors who are actively engaged in the communities we’re privileged to serve, making them great places to live and call home. NiSource is headquartered in Merrillville, Indiana – about 35 miles from Chicago – and we maintain a significant corporate presence in Columbus, Ohio. Our utility operations also span Kentucky, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia
