Sr Business Process & Technical Architect

Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy knows job number one is to keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.  

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship, e.g., H-1B, TN, etc. Please do not apply if you need immigration sponsorship for a work visa now or in the future, including sponsorship for H-1B, TN, etc., now or in the future. We are unable to hire individuals with CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT for this position as the position is not eligible for participation in the H-1B lottery program and is not eligible for current or future immigration sponsorship for a work visa.

Location

This is an onsite position assigned to One Energy Plaza located in Jackson, MI.  The selected candidate must be within a commutable distance or willing to relocate (relocation package is available for those that qualify). 

General Summary 

This posting is to fill two openings one the Finanance Transformatino & Technology team.

The Finance Transformation & Technology (FT&T) team is dedicated to modernizing the financial operations of the Controller’s organization. Our primary goal is to reduce operational effort by 30% by 2030 through the strategic streamlining and automation of processes and tools.

Department Objectives:

• Launch initiatives focused on modernizing financial operations
• Simplify complex processes to enhance productivity and accuracy
• Integrate advanced automation technologies to handle repetitive and time-consuming tasks
• Develop and deploy automated tools to ensure consistency and reduce manual errors
• Ensure seamless integration of new tools with existing systems for optimal performance
• Continuously monitor and assess the impact of implemented changes
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement to sustain long-term efficiency gains
• Equip team members with the skills needed to adapt to new technologies and processes

The Sr. Business Process & Technical Architect works closely with IT, business partners, vendors, and others to support both operational and strategic goals. This role advises Product Managers/Owners on planning and executing large projects as well as ongoing business improvement initiatives. The architect is responsible for the continuous improvement and error-proofing of processes and technology.

The position involves performing increasingly complex analytical or administrative tasks that require advanced knowledge, skills, and creative insight to successfully complete assignments. Tasks are often ambiguous and may require research, problem-solving, designing, prototyping, collaboration, negotiation, recommending, and implementing changes to cross-functional processes and procedures. The work is varied and complex, utilizing skills such as analysis, planning, design, research, coordination, strategy, facilitation, and communication with both internal and external stakeholders.

This role operates with substantial latitude for independent action or decision-making and frequently addresses matters that may have a significant impact on the company’s business. The Sr. Business Process & Technical Architect often leads projects or is designated as the subject matter expert on corporate initiatives. This individual possesses a high level of understanding of relevant processes and has earned the respect of peers within the department as well as counterparts outside the department and the company.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Collaborate with IT, business partners, vendors, and others to support strategic goals.
• Work closely with Product Managers/Owners on research, roadmaps, and business case development.
• Architect and design processes and solutions for complex problems that have significant business costs and impacts.
• Advise on options, risks, costs, benefits, and overall impacts.
• Coach others on business process and technology configuration and integration.
• Advise and coach on problem-solving for both containment and sustainment.
• Partner with IT, business partners, vendors, and others to support operational goals.
• Assist Product Managers/Owners with planning and delivering product releases.
• Advise on system upgrades to ensure ongoing support and sustainability.
• Collaborate on product backlogs and provide guidance on prioritization and interdependencies.
• Oversee and educate stakeholders on system and process health metrics to reduce waste and lead problem-solving initiatives.
• Coach on best practices for user acceptance testing, change management, validation, and delivery.
• Understand and communicate various business and operating models to drive organizational change.
• Support the creation and maintenance of standard work documentation.
• Perform other non-essential duties as assigned or as necessary.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Office, Teams, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Skilled at interacting with internal and external clients to identify, research, and analyze situations, and resolve advanced and complex problems.
• Possess advanced knowledge of utility practices and procedures.
• Demonstrates the ability to solve complex problems by applying new perspectives to existing solutions.
• Strong facilitation, organizational, and project management skills.
• Knowledgeable in Lean principles.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to interact effectively at all levels.
• Capable of working with minimal supervision.
• Experience using a combination of the following applications is preferred: SAP, SQL, Databricks, Alteryx, PowerApps, PowerAutomate and PowerBI

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, management information systems, computer engineering, or a business-related field, with at least four (4) years of experience developing test plans and test cases, conducting user testing, ensuring implementation readiness, and optimizing processes and systems—including proficiency with standard illustration tools.
  • (OR) Associate’s degree in computer science, management information systems, computer engineering, or a business-related field, with a minimum of six (6) years of experience developing test plans and test cases, conducting user testing, ensuring implementation readiness, and optimizing processes and systems—including proficiency with standard illustration tools.
  • (OR) High school diploma with at least eight (8) years of experience developing test plans and test cases, conducting user testing, ensuring implementation readiness, and optimizing processes and systems—including proficiency with standard illustration tools.
• Must possess an understanding of general risk principles and have experience assisting with risk and compliance reporting, including risk mitigation and risk evaluation.

Why should you join our team?

At Consumers Energy, we offer more than just a place to work. We foster a culture that supports career development, growth, and stability, and we take pride in offering our co-workers excellent benefits and compensation packages. We are deliberately creating an inclusive culture that makes our diverse team of co-workers feel valued, supported, and empowered every day. We're a company made up of thousands of people, all with different stories to share and work to do, but we stand united in our company purpose: world class performance delivering hometown service.

What we offer: 

• Competitive compensation packages
• Medical, Dental and Vision
• 401k with company match
• Paid parental leave
• Up to 13 paid Holidays
• Paid time off
• Educational Assistance Program

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: 

We, at CMS Energy, value Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. It is part of our DNA. We treat our employees with respect, we treat each other fairly and we value the opinions of others. We are passionate about building and nurturing an environment where everyone feels included. We don’t discriminate. We seek to learn about each other and better understand our unique differences. Our uniqueness makes us authentic. We create safe spaces where everyone can be who they truly are. We invite difficult conversations and uncomfortable topics. We value diverse perspectives; this is what makes us great together. We harbor an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to share their backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. Our Employee Resource Groups, Women in Energy (WE), Minority Advisory Panel (MAP), Pride Alliance of Consumers Energy (PACE), GENERGY, capABLE, Interfaith and Veterans Advisory Panel (VAP) are key enablers to living the values of our company culture: Caring, Empowered, Deliberate, Agility, and Ownership.

All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

#LI-JH1