Director of Energy Efficiency Programs

Company Overview:

Walker-Miller Energy Services is a 24-year-old Certified B Corporation and trusted partner with deep roots in the energy industry.  Through an equity lens, the company provides thought leadership to utilities, municipalities, businesses, and communities to help achieve energy reduction goals and drive the benefits of clean energy to all communities.

Headquartered in Detroit, MI, Walker-Miller Energy Services, one of the largest African American and woman owned energy efficiency companies in the United States, led by Carla Walker-Miller, Founder and Chief Executive Officer.  Walker-Miller’s commitment to Empower People and Enrich Communities is the bedrock of a unique, people-centered culture that values all people and normalizes diversity, equity, and inclusion as a strength.  With a team that reflects the rich diversity of this country, Walker-Miller designs and implements energy efficiency programs, sources products, trains inclusive workforces, develops outreach strategies and provides innovative research and development.  Our goal is to act as a bridge to equity as this country transitions to a new low carbon reality.  Our efforts help decrease energy burdens, drive equitable access to clean energy jobs, invite diverse businesses into the clean energy economy and serve the needs of asset limited income constrained communities with compassion.

Our operating philosophy is reflected in our core values. We refer to them as BEHIVE:

B - Boldly Go

E-  Embrace Equity

H - Humble Confidence

I - Inclusive Stewardship

V - Value Reputation

E - Extraordinary Experience

Position Summary:

This role holds significant importance within our organization and is an integral part of our Leadership Team. The main responsibilities include overseeing statewide operations for assigned clients and their programs, as well as expanding our company’s implementation services with existing and new clients. Additionally, the role involves building and leading a team of Portfolio and Program Managers and staff to deliver top-notch utility energy efficiency programs. As the Director of Illinois & Minnesota Energy Efficiency Programs, you will oversee client relationships and team members, subcontractors, and vendors to ensure all expectations of the programs are met. In this role, you are responsible for growth, overall operations and the successful management of productivity, financial outcomes of all contracts, quality control, and safety. This position will also be responsible for the implementation of new programs as a result of new business awarded through various channels.

Essential Responsibilities: This list of responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary from time to time.

• Lead, coach and develop a team of portfolio and program managers who oversee energy efficiency programs within the State of Illinois & Minnesota, based on a core value driven culture that encourages top performance with compassion.
• Design go-to-market strategies to attract customer participation in Energy Efficiency programs
• Have knowledge and understanding to leverage policies from federal and/or state governments to increase funding and/or braiding of funds
• Familiar with Trade Alley recruitment strategies
• Recommend alternative strategies for underperforming savings goals
• Provide innovative solutions in program design and implementation
• Understanding of measure mix to successfully implement programs
• Ability to develop comprehensive plans, detailing approaches for various program designs
• Have knowledge of Evaluation, Measurement & Verification principles
• Provide direction and solutions to achieve program cost effectiveness
• Manage and grow program scope with existing clients
• Manage and develop a trusted advisor relationship with key accounts, customer stakeholders and executive sponsors
• Serve as the lead point of contact for all customer account management matters by assisting with challenging client requests or issue escalations
• Forecast, deliver on and track key account metrics (e.g. energy savings and incentive spend, monthly program results and financial forecasts)
• Clearly communicate the progress of monthly/quarterly initiatives to internal and external stakeholders
• Communicate customer issues with the operations team and devise ways of improving the customer experience, including resolving problems and complaints
• Negotiate contracts and close agreements to maximize profits
• Continuously updating job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations

Basic Qualifications:

•  Bachelor’s degree required in energy, engineering or business or other related fields. Advance degree preferred.
• 7+ years proven success in the energy efficiency industry. 
• 5+ years of program management experience
• 5+ years’ experience in managing and expanding utility and business partner relationships.
• Experience leading a team, motivating employees and generating results in an environment of multiple locations across several states.
• Demonstrated experience in managing multi-million-dollar contracts, key account client relationships, business development, and staff and resource management and P&L management. 

• Experience in managing and building high level utility relationships.

• Strategic, hands-on leadership with exceptional organizational, communications, and people management skills
• Demonstrated ability to communicate, present and influence credibly and effectively at all levels of the organization, including executive and C-level.
• Experience leading and motivating a team to generate results. 
• Proven track record of successful business development expertise 
• Experience in delivering client-focused solutions based on customer needs.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects at a time while paying strict attention to detail.
• Excellent listening, negotiation, and presentation skills
• Self-motivated and able to thrive in a results-driven environment.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Encourage a positive work environment and culture for all team members.
• Experience with at Microsoft Office Suite

Licenses & Certifications

• LEED Accreditation preferred
• CEM (Certified Energy Manager) preferred
• PMP preferred

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Required to sit, stand, walk; talk and hear.
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds
• Noise level is typically low to moderate
• Position located in the Chicagoland area
• Travel required

Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

The above information describes the general duties and requirements necessary to perform the principle functions of the position. This shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the duties and requirements that may be necessary in this position.

Pay Transparency: This compensation range is provided as a reasonable estimate of the current starting salary range for this role. If this opportunity includes multiple job levels, the salary information represents the job level minimum and the job level maximum. There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

A team member may be eligible for additional pay, premiums, or bonus potential. Walker-Miller Energy Services offers eligible employees health, vision and dental insurance, retirement, and tuition reimbursement. 

 Compensation Range: $165,000-$185,000/annually 

Walker-Miller Energy Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Walker-Miller Energy Services, we Embrace Equity by encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds and identities to apply for open positions! We have several optional questions about candidates’ demographics, but they do not impact hiring decisions. In fact, all candidate demographic data is anonymized for compliance purposes and to reduce unconscious bias in the hiring process, so none of the information collected here will be attached to your individual application. We ask for this information because Walker-Miller is committed to inclusive recruitment practices, so we hold ourselves to a high standard in developing a candidate pool that is diverse in background, experience, and perspective.

Walker-Miller Energy Services participates in E-Verify. Which confirms employment authorization of all newly hired employees and most existing employees through an electronic database maintained by the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security. For new hires, the E-Verify process is completed in conjunction with the Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification on or before the first day of work. E-Verify is not used as a tool to pre-screen candidates. For up-to-date information on E-Verify, go to www.uscis.gov and click on 'E-Verify' located near the bottom of the page.

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