Job Information
Avista Utilities Organization Development Program Manager in Spokane, Washington
Description
Closes: March 24, 2026
Job Description
We’re looking for a hands‑on Organization Development Program Manager professional who wants to work on meaningful, forward‑looking challenges without losing sight of the day‑to‑day employee experience.
This role is about helping the organization navigate real change: evolving skills, new technologies, shifting expectations of work, and the complexity that comes with all of it. You’ll design and lead programs that help leaders and teams adapt, reskill, and perform while keeping people at the center of the work.
You’ll operate with an enterprise‑wide view, partnering closely with HR colleagues and business leaders to turn strategy into practical, usable approaches. The work lives at the intersection of OD systems thinking, work design, culture, and digital change and it often involves figuring things out as you go.
What you’ll do:
Design and lead organization‑wide initiatives that support how work, skills, and leadership need to evolve—covering areas like workforce readiness, leadership development, organizational agility, and change capability.
Shape key parts of the employee experience, focusing on moments that matter and helping the organization make intentional choices about how work gets done and how we navigate the future.
Define what success looks like, using clear measures to learn what’s working, adjust course, and inform leaders’ decisions.
Manage complex programs end‑to‑end, balancing scope, timelines, budgets, and risk in an environment where priorities and conditions can shift.
Act as a trusted thought partner, bringing OD expertise, systems thinking, and evidence‑based practice to real business challenges. This role is trusted to frame problems, recommend approaches, and influence decisions—not just execute predefined solutions.
Share what you learn, translating insights into tools, guidance, and conversations that help leaders and teams take action.
This role is a great match if…
Are comfortable working in ambiguity and influencing without formal authority
Enjoy building new approaches, not just maintaining existing ones
Care deeply about practical impact, not just elegant or theoretical frameworks
Requirements Program Manager I:
Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Development, Organizational Psychology, Industrial–Organizational Psychology, Human Resources, Business, Sociology, Systems Thinking, or related field required.
Three (3)+ years progressively increasing responsibility in areas such as organization development, organization effectiveness or workforce transformation project/program management required.
Effective and flexible written and verbal communication skills, including presentation and public speaking required.
Demonstrated skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities required.
Ability to establish goals and objectives, effectively plan work activities, schedules, priorities, utilization of resources.
Ability to use appropriate technology to organize, synthesize, and communicate data.
Hiring Range: $88,336 to $114,838
Program Manager II includes the above requirements plus:
Master's Degree Preferred.
Seven (7)+ years progressively increasing responsibility in areas such as organization development, organization effectiveness or workforce transformation project/program management required.
Demonstrated ability to diagnose and address systemic organizational challenges.
Proven experience owning initiatives end‑to‑end from problem definition through pilot, measurement, and sustainment.
Ability to successfully develop and manage relationships at all levels of the organization and influence a variety of stakeholders.
Comfort translating digital and emerging technology (including GenAI) into practical implications for work design, leadership judgment, organizational and cultural readiness.
Bias toward experimentation, evidence, and learning using pilots and measurable outcomes to inform scale decisions
Comprehensive knowledge of budget principles, development, and administration.
Hiring Range: $100,378 to $131,496
Preferred Requirements
Exposure to skills‑based workforce approaches, workforce planning, and/or capability building tied to business outcomes.
Experience partnering with information technology departments.
Familiarity with responsible technology adoption, including risk, quality, and human‑in‑the‑loop considerations.
Project Management or Program Management experience.
Experience partnering with senior leaders as a trusted advisor or internal consultant.
Familiarity with responsible technology adoption, including risk, quality, and human‑in‑the‑loop considerations.
Understanding of utility operations or complex, regulated environments.
Other combinations of education and experience may be considered.
Hybrid work options are available for this role. The successful candidate will be required to work at our Spokane Washington, at least 3 days per week including Mondays and Tuesdays with additional day(s) determined by the manager.
We believe in‑person collaboration is essential for enterprise OD work that involves trust‑building, systems redesign, and deep partnership with leaders. Spokane offers a high quality of life, short commutes, and the opportunity to do meaningful, visible work without the congestion of larger metros.
We encourage you to apply as many of our positions have multiple levels to account for an incoming employee’s various knowledge, skills, and experience.
Complete an online application and attach your resume and cover letter to your profile. All documents must be attached to your application at the time of submitting your application for review. No documents can be attached after you click "Submit".
Total Rewards
At Avista, our employees are the foundation of our success. Their dedication drives the value we deliver to our customers and communities. That’s why we prioritize the physical, mental, and financial well-being of our team members and their families.
We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards program designed to support every stage of life and career. Our offerings include:
Affordable healthcare options including medical, dental, and vision coverage
Retirement benefits with an enhanced 401(k) match
Incentive programs rewarding performance and contributions
Competitive paid time off including holidays, personal days, and vacation
Life and disability insurance for added peace of mind
Wellness resources supporting mental and physical health
Education and development support including tuition assistance
Community giving programs encouraging employee engagement and impact
Other optional benefits from Legal insurance, Pet insurance, and more (Eligibility subject to Bargaining Unit affiliation)
To learn more, please visit our benefits website at https://avistabenefits.com/.
We are committed to maintaining a competitive and equitable total rewards package that attracts and retains a diverse, skilled, and engaged workforce.
In compliance with state laws, we provide the full salary range for each position, along with the typical hiring range based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity. The full salary range for this position is $88,336 to $162,614. Questions regarding compliance with this requirement can be directed to humanresources@avistacorp.com.
Pre-employment screening requirements Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a drug test, background check and motor vehicle records review.
Avista’s Commitment to Equal Opportunity Avista is a safe, inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds, and we are committed to Equal Opportunity Employment. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, sensory, mental or physical disability (unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification), Veteran status or any other classification protected by nondiscrimination laws.
Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/posters) . Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you require any special accommodations to participate fully in our recruitment process. Avista will make reasonable accommodation to assist a qualified person with a disability in the job application, interview process, and to perform the essential functions of the job whenever possible, where undue hardship would not be created for Avista. Please contact us at humanresources@avistacorp.com if you would like assistance.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.