Description:

The Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) is accelerating the utility transformation to a carbon-free energy system. We collaborate with our members and other clean energy stakeholders to share best practices, educate and solve common challenges.We’re a nonprofit that provides the knowledge, people, and tools for utilities to advance their clean energy progress. SEPA focuses on three Pathways that we believe will have the greatest impact in the pursuit of a carbon-free energy system: Electrification, Grid Integration, and Regulatory & Business Innovation. SEPA is not a trade association, nor an advocacy group. Rather, we deliver information and community for regulators, utilities, and industry to make informed and effective decisions. Our offerings include:

• Research
• Working Groups
• Standards
• Data
• Facilitation
• Education

Position

The Director, Regulatory and Business Innovation is accountable for thought leadership, the P&L and oversight of the growing body of work focused on facilitating regulatory processes and sustainable utility business models needed to achieve a carbon-free future. This person must be adept at articulating value propositions for the work. The Director engages in setting the strategy for this focus area, articulating the value propositions for fundraising to build the body of work, as well as executing on offerings which could entail writing papers; creating workshops; speaking at events; executing on client-specific work; or creating frameworks, roadmaps or programmatic offerings. As an integral part of the SEPA Content team, the Director works collaboratively with colleagues across the organization to leverage team strengths and produce content on an array of topics that align with the organization’s mission.

A successful candidate will be someone who can think strategically and articulate value and can also dive

into execution to deliver on the various value propositions. The candidate must be proficient in consultative project execution, technical writing, public speaking, project management, strategic planning, and business development. This role involves having foresight to connect dots to address gaps that will ensure resilience as utilities transition to a carbon-free energy system.

This person will be the primary utility regulatory and business model expert for the organization, which includes:

• Providing leadership under SEPA’s matrixed structure for team members working on regulatory policy and business model innovation to accelerate the transition to a clean energy future.
• Monitoring programmatic, regulatory, and policy trends in this space and generates key industry insights from these trends.
• Supporting the development of and managing the budget for the pathway

The salary range for this position is $137,000 - $190,000 with the target being around $150,000 based on location and experience.

Requirements:

Pathway Project Leadership (20% of time)

• Identifies or supports the need for regulatory and/or business model change to enable the transition to a carbon-free energy system, helping to develop the expertise of SEPA colleagues on the topic.
• Serves as project leader for the focus area with responsibility for annual revenue targets.
• Identifies funding opportunities, develops proposals, and manages business development opportunities in Salesforce.
• Contributes to the organization’s annual strategy planning process and is responsible for developing the pathway revenue and expense budget, including funding strategy.
• Manages cross-functional team efforts and coordinates team meetings.
• Creates project charter, RACI chart and Gantt Chart for assigned projects.
• Works with SEPA’s Marketing and Communications team to define marketing strategy for regulatory and business innovation topics and project deliverables.
• Ensures accuracy and high quality of data and writing represented in each research output.
• Other duties as assigned.

Industry Engagement (30% of time)

• Proactively networks with and engages other members of the electric industry to raise awareness about SEPA and recruit them to join as members; works closely with the membership team on outreach and engagement strategies.
• Writes articles in external publications and for SEPA’s blog that positions SEPA as a thought leader in regulatory and business innovation.
• Represents SEPA externally by attending and speaking at key industry events to raise SEPA’s visibility and to establish credibility for our work.
• Serves as subject matter expert and leads or advises relevant SEPA Working Groups as appropriate

Project Execution (50% of time)

• Develops sponsored research and advisory service proposals on regulatory and business innovation topics to potential funders, and negotiates and executes contracts. Sample projects could include identifying changes necessary in regulatory constructs or business models, identification of possible solution strategies, and frameworks or roadmaps to achieve these changes.
• Develops regulatory strategy and business model requirements for client work.
• Creates project deliverables both within a team environment and acting as an individual contributor.
• Formulates foundation and research partnerships as needed to better position SEPA as a credible expert in regulatory and business innovation.
• Coordinates with research colleagues to provide peer review on research content related to other topics.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher, preferred with focus in business, economics, public policy, regulation emerging technologies, or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years work experience in electric industry with:
  • a demonstrated focus on regulation, energy markets, and utility business models
  • 5+ years experience actively participating in or supporting state regulatory proceedings
  • 3+ years experience related to the design and development of utility program, product, and service offerings
• Familiarity with foundation fundraising; existing foundation relationships preferred.
• Accomplished writer and speaker with demonstrated experience authoring publications and presenting findings at industry conferences or public forums.
• 3+ years of consulting experience preferred.

Attributes

• Skilled project manager. You are able to juggle multiple tasks, allocate and optimize resources, and manage timelines. You enjoy creating and implementing processes and procedures that uphold rigorous standards.
• Strong attention to detail. You are deadline-focused and understand the need for a quality product delivered on time. Your impeccable work style sets the standard.
• Good communicator. You have exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills, and the ability to translate technical content for non-technical audiences. You are an adept consensus builder who excels at convening groups of people to reduce barriers.
• Proactive and self-motivated. This is a key element of SEPA’s culture and is critical to our success. You think ahead, anticipate challenges, and take things from start to finish. You have a keen ability to determine what is working and what is not, and you take action to lead in the right direction.
• Flexible. With major changes occurring both internally and in the industry at large, you are able to adjust to changing priorities and operate effectively in a fluid and fast-paced environment.
• Results driven. You see the big picture, monitor your key performance metrics, and take the action necessary to produce bottom line results. You understand success in this role requires taking full strategic advantage of every opportunity.
• Collaborative work-style. With a wide range of stakeholders to support and/or guide, you possess a style that both complements the efforts and supports the needs of others. You have the ability to translate information, insights, and collaborative research opportunities into tangible benefits for SEPA members. You have a natural tendency to act as a “connector”, always looking to make connections between ideas and/or people to build something stronger in combination than either part on its own

What’s Attractive to the Right Candidate?

• Our organization thrives on innovation. Your work will help accelerate our nation’s transition to a clean and modern energy future.
• You will enjoy working in a collaborative and highly-supportive work environment with a great team of colleagues. You will be part of a team with a culture driven by these organizational behaviors:

Attitude: exude responsiveness and friendliness

Excellence: deliver high-quality work that members rave about

Ownership: take personal responsibility for SEPA’s success

Growth: seek out and embrace opportunities to grow SEPA and yourself

Balance: always examine all sides of an issue
Comradery: work hard with the team and have fun with the team
Transparency: communicate honestly, frequently, and openly

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

SEPA is committed to creating a diverse environment and is an equal opportunity employer. Employment is based on personal capabilities and qualifications. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected class as established by applicable law.

ADA Requirements and Disclaimer

This position description generally indicates the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act expected of an incumbent. This role requires the ability to use standard office equipment and learn new software applications as necessary. This is a largely sedentary role; however, some traveling may be required. This position description is not designed to cover a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of an incumbent. An incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.