Automation Operations Leader (f/m/d)

Job description

Job Description Summary GE Vernova is seeking a Global Automation Operations & Performance Leader to own the financial performance and investment governance of our global automation portfolio. This individual will be the key connector between the Automation Center of Excellence (COE), business units, and senior leadership — translating operational realities into rigorous financial insight, and ensuring automation investments are evaluated and tracked using disciplined metrics such as NPV, payback period, and ROI. A core focus of this role is to take complex, technical, and operational data (production metrics, downtime, throughput, quality/scrap rates, labor efficiency) and translating them into clear financial terms that leadership can act on. This individual will also implement the COE service offerings to govern automation projects through defined stage-gates, significantly reducing the risk of project failure and ensuring disciplined, high-quality execution across the global portfolio. Job Description Roles and Responsibilities Operational-to-Financial Translation Serve as the critical link between operational teams and financial reporting, converting operational KPIs (throughput, downtime, scrap/quality rates, labor productivity) into financial impact metrics (cost savings, NPV contribution, payback impact) Partner with business unit operational leaders to ensure automation business cases accurately reflect real-world operational data and constraints Build repeatable methodologies/tools to standardize how operational performance is converted into financial language across business units Investment Analysis & Financial Performance Own the end-to-end financial evaluation of automation investments across business units, including NPV, payback period, IRR, and ROI calculations Build and maintain standardized financial models/templates for business units being able to clearly segment investments and returns. Consolidate and report the health of the global automation investment portfolio , highlighting high-performing initiatives and underperforming/at-risk investments Develop benchmarks and hurdle rates for automation investment approval in partnership with COE and business units stakeholders COE service offerings and projects tollgate framework Design, implement, and own the COE service offering for automation projects, establishing clear swim lanes between the COE and the business units. Enable consistent KPI reporting through dashboards and visualization , giving stakeholders real-time visibility into tollgate status, project health, and portfolio performance Define criteria and deliverables required at each tollgate (e.g., business case approval, technical readiness, financial validation, go-live readiness, post-implementation review) Use the tollgate framework to proactively identify and mitigate risks, reducing the likelihood of project delays, cost overruns, or failure to achieve projected returns Drive accountability across business units by enforcing tollgate discipline, ensuring projects only progress when key operational and financial criteria are met Continuously refine the tollgate framework based on lessons learned and evolving best practices across the global automation portfolio Executive Communication & Reporting Prepare and deliver leadership-ready presentations summarizing automation investment performance and value unlocked (NPV realized, payback trends, ROI) and tollgate/project health across the portfolio Translate complex operational and financial data into clear, decision-ready insights for senior leadership Provide leadership with visibility into investment risk, project execution status, and value realization to inform future capital allocation decisions Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Engineering, or related field (MBA a plus) Significant experience in financial analysis, operations, investment/capital planning, or program management, ideally within industrial, energy, or manufacturing sectors Demonstrated ability to translate operational data into financial insights (e.g., converting downtime, scrap, or throughput data into cost/ROI impact) Strong hands-on experience with NPV, payback period, IRR, and ROI analysis for capital investments Experience designing or implementing stage-gate/tollgate frameworks for project governance and risk mitigation Experience building or leveraging dashboards/visualization tools for KPI and performance reporting Experience working within or alongside a Center of Excellence (COE) model or matrixed organization Proven track record presenting financial/investment performance to senior/executive leadership Must be fully authorized to work in the nation of the applicable work location English language proficiency, written and verbal, is required to successfully perform the duties of this role. Desired skills Strong understanding of manufacturing/operational KPIs (OEE, downtime, scrap rate, throughput, labor efficiency) and how they translate into financial outcomes Ability to "speak both languages" — operations and finance — and act as a translator between technical/operational teams and leadership Experience building tools/frameworks that standardize operational-to-financial reporting GE Vernova offers a great work environment, professional development, challenging careers, and competitive compensation. GE Vernova is an Equal Opportunity Employer . Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. GE Vernova will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable). Relocation Assistance Provided: Yes For candidates applying to a U.S. based position, the pay range for this position is between $122,600.00 and $204,400.00. The Company pays a geographic differential of 110%, 120% or 130% of salary in certain areas. The specific pay offered may be influenced by a variety of factors, including the candidate’s experience, education, and skill set. Bonus eligibility: discretionary annual bonus. This posting is expected to remain open for at least seven days after it was posted on August 18, 2026. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage; access to Health Coach from GE Vernova, a 24/7 nurse-based resource; and access to the Employee Assistance Program, providing 24/7 confidential assessment, counseling and referral services. Retirement benefits include the GE Vernova Retirement Savings Plan, a tax-advantaged 401(k) savings opportunity with company matching contributions and company retirement contributions, as well as access to Fidelity resources and financial planning consultants. Other benefits include tuition assistance, adoption assistance, paid parental leave, disability benefits, life insurance, 12 paid holidays, and permissive time off. GE Vernova Inc. or its affiliates (collectively or individually, “GE Vernova”) sponsor certain employee benefit plans or programs GE Vernova reserves the right to terminate, amend, suspend, replace, or modify its benefit plans and programs at any time and for any reason, in its sole discretion. No individual has a vested right to any benefit under a GE Vernova welfare benefit plan or program. This document does not create a contract of employment with any individual.