Seeking a highly organized, innovative, outcome-oriented leader to build upon Austin Energy’s industry leading customer offerings and execution. The successful applicant will have a deep technical understanding of demand side management and distributed energy resource program design, cost effectiveness metrics, customer engagement best practices, operational excellence and the ability to communicate effectively with elected officials, citizen commissions, C-suite executives and other City departments.
This position manages the Energy Efficiency Services (EES) business unit within the Customer Energy Solutions (CES) department. This position oversees upwards of 20 energy efficiency and demand response programs across Residential, Commercial and Industrial sectors with an overall budget of $30M, with ~$21M of that in incentives across all programs. This position supervises a staff of 46 full-time employees, temps, and contractors, with four direct reports, with and oversees multiple teams of contractors and vendors in order to successfully deliver the program.
Specific duties include:
Plans, directs, and coordinates the development and delivery of a range of programs and technical services to improve energy efficiency, resiliency, and demand response capabilities in new and existing residential, commercial and industrial buildings. To include:
Directs and manages the full program lifecycle (conceive, launch and sunset upon program success)
Directs and manages the use of data and technical assessments to continuously assess the performance of programs and technologies through a metrics-driven framework (cost effectiveness, equity, number of customers served, customer satisfaction, etc.) to ensure portfolio efficacy
Support evaluation of technology and program proposals by stakeholders using a consistent framework, and deliver decisions on behalf of the portfolio
Works closely with internal and external stakeholders, including City Council and citizen commissions, to educate and create alignment on high-level goals and outcomes
Manages annual O&M, CIP and incentive budgets including preparing short and long-term spending plans
Contract management – this position currently oversees 15 contracts with various terms and renewal periods, thorough oversight is required to ensure that they remain on track and that the required reviews and approvals are accounted for in the procurement schedule
Maintains a 12-18 month outlook on all items including major program updates, contract renewals, RFPs, council actions, etc. to ensure ample time for leadership input, review, and approval in advance of the deadline
Regularly prepares and presents reports and updates for Austin Energy management and public advisory committees
Manages promotional and outreach efforts to establish partnerships with contractors, vendors and trade allies to enhance customer services and participation to meet Austin Energy’s energy efficiency and demand response goals
Formulates specific plan objectives to achieve goals outlined in the Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to support desirable electric load shape changes and greenhouse gas emission avoidance through energy efficiency and load management programs and projects.
Lead department initiatives to integrate strategies and services across the CES organization in close collaboration with fellow directors. Identify ways to continuously integrate CES with other departments throughout the utility to ensure continuity of business practices, transparency in operations, and removal of information silos
Managing customer escalations in a responsive and timely manner
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with demand side management and distributed energy resource programs including budgeting, measuring effectiveness, program marketing and customer engagement.
Experience with the electric utility industry and the ERCOT market specifically.
Experience managing a large team and managing managers.
Experience engaging with and presenting to contractors, citizen commissions, elected officials, stakeholders, the general public and staff.
Experience with using data sets to develop systems for tracking and reporting on program and/or project progress, operations and provide business insights.
Experience with government agencies, including contracting and procurement processes.
Experience developing and maintaining systems for managing task and progress tracking for complex and competing priorities.
Experience with handling hostile conflict, uncertain situation, and engaging HR to help resolve personnel and performance issues.
Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Business Administration, Public Administration, Engineering, or in a field related to the job, plus seven (7) years related experience, two (2) years of which were in a supervisory or managerial capacity.
Education may substitute for experience up to two (2) years.
Austin Energy is more than just a power company. We are 1,700 of your friends and neighbors with a mission to safely deliver clean, affordable, reliable energy and excellent customer service — 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. As a community-owned utility, we’re a not-for-profit enterprise of the City of Austin that is focused on driving customer value in energy services. At Austin Energy, we are determined to use innovative technology to build a better Austin and to lead the way for clean, affordable energy.