Director, Market Analytics, Research and Evaluation - Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

About NEEA 

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) is an alliance of more than 140 electric and natural gas utilities and energy efficiency organizations working on behalf of Northwest energy consumers to increase the adoption of energy-efficient products services and practices. Since 1997, the region has achieved the equivalent of enough energy to power more than 700,000 Northwest homes each year.  

The alliance is powered by harnessing the energy, brainpower, and innovative thinking of motivated professionals like you. NEEA places a high value on diversity, and welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, identities and fields of expertise, with or without previous experience in the energy industry. Are you talented, committed, and motivated? If the answer is yes, we encourage you to apply to help us create a vibrant future for all Northwest communities. 

Follow this link to our website and learn more about the organization. 

This position is based in the Portland, OR metro area, with a hybrid work location. We are looking for candidates who can meet the requirement of working at least 2 days per week onsite at NEEA’s office location.  Finalists must have eligibility to work in the US as NEEA is not able to provide VISA sponsorship or have remote work outside of the US. 

Position Summary 

The Director of Market Analytics, Research and Evaluation (MARE) envisions, leads and advances multiple functional areas at NEEA designed to transform the market and advance the region’s energy efficiency, load flexibility, and decarbonization capabilities and results. They will lead and ensure functional excellence in market analytics; product and market forecasting, analysis and reporting, including cost-benefit analysis; program evaluation; market and consumer research; and energy use studies. This person will make sure resources are available and deployed effectively to achieve the business objectives of NEEA’s market transformation portfolio.  

This leadership position actively engages in continuous process improvement and the development of staff and is responsible for planning and managing a multi-million-dollar annual budget to meet strategic business plan goals. The primary metric for this work is the candid and timely delivery of actionable intelligence to enable successful portfolio, program and project results in alignment with strategic and operating plans. 

The Director of MARE will share our deep commitment to diversity and inclusion and advancing practices, strategies and policies that achieve equitable outcomes for all. 

Salary range: $140,000 - $160,000, exempt 

• Salary is based on the applicants Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 

The Typical Day May Include… 

• Participate on Leadership Team to support overall organizational strategy, planning, development, problem solving, stakeholder alignment, equity, change management, and other management and leadership work for the advancement of the organization.  
• Participate on the Portfolio Management Team to prioritize investments and resources across multiple portfolios in alignment with organizational strategy. 
• Serve as an organization spokesperson on the planning, evaluation and reporting of Market Transformation regionally and nationally. 
• Lead your team on finding ways to broaden the value that NEEA delivers to the market through the development, refinement and delivery of data products and market, intelligence, both for internal use, and for funders and regional stakeholders. 
• Lead processes in support of portfolio strategy and development, stage gate decision-making, program advancement and program change decisions with internal stakeholders and external Advisory Committees.  
• Collaborate with other departments to coordinate efforts, overcome obstacles, find collaborative solutions and ensure smooth operations and task clarity in a matrix environment. 
• Present to stakeholder groups, advisory committees and the Board on NEEA’s research, evaluation, planning and energy studies approaches, insights and findings. 
• Oversee and coach staff on managing functional teams, ensuring appropriate objectives, goals and development plans are set for staff, and ensuring that progress is tracked and deliverables are met.  
• Manage cost-center budgeting, forecasting and tracking for direct expenses, personnel expenses, and other general and administrative costs. 
• Lead your team on the creation, documentation, consistent implementation and regular refinement of the tools, methods, systems, practices and metrics that define functional excellence for their functions. 

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

This is a manager supervisory position, ensuring that subordinate managers and staff have clear work direction, guidance, training, etc.  

What Are You Good At? 

A top performer in this role would be a strategic and dynamic leader who excels in organizational strategy, planning, and stakeholder alignment. They would leverage their exceptional market analysis and research evaluation skillset to actively contribute to the Leadership and Portfolio Management teams, ensuring investments and resources are prioritized effectively across multiple programs and funding sources. This individual would adeptly communicate NEEA’s Market Transformation progress, utilizing thorough research and data sets to back up their presentations to stakeholders across the region. They'd enhance NEEA’s market impact by developing and delivering insightful data products and intelligence. The top performer would engage collaboratively across departments to ensure smooth operations and effective problem-solving. Additionally, they would coach and lead a sizeable staff, manage budgets and forecasts, and continuously refine available tools and practices to achieve functional excellence. Their leadership would be evident in their team's efficiency, the relationships they build with stakeholders, and their overall ability to drive NEEA’s mission forward. 

Your Experience, Education, and Skills: 

• Bachelor’s degree and MBA or related advanced degree preferred. Academic course work in business, finance, economics, and/or evaluation preferred.  
• Minimum 10 years related working experience, including at least four years in market planning, analytics and forecasting, research, evaluation, data analytics and reporting, building sciences, or utility integrated resource planning. 
• Minimum 4 years of first-line supervisory experience, preferably over an analytical team.   
• Experience and knowledge in advanced analytics, performance analysis and reporting, forecasting, data management, resource planning and executive facilitation strongly preferred. 
• Knowledge of energy efficiency, energy utilities, or Northwest energy markets is preferred. 
• Proven success as a team builder, team player and a leader, with the ability to work collaboratively across multifunctional teams to build consensus and reach common objectives. 
• Experience managing staff in a rigorous discipline. Management style and approach must be consistent with NEEA values.  
• Experience managing managers preferred. 
• Competence in all aspects of program or project management and direct experience managing a large portfolio of investments. Demonstrated ability to make portfolio-level decisions to balance opportunities, risks, and resources and meet business objectives.  
• Competence in collaboration, facilitation, engagement and partnering with a diverse stakeholder base.  
• Experience managing difficult or sensitive stakeholder situations preferred.   
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with ability to adjust messaging to audience needs. Ability to articulate complex matters in simple and compelling terms.  
• Demonstrated business performance analysis and reporting, with an eye for risk management. Experience aligning team efforts with strategic goals. 
• Strong fundamental knowledge of market concepts: business models, drivers and trends, how products are brought to market, market competition, marketplace characteristics, market dynamics and economic factors that influence markets. 
• Experience with market transformation strongly preferred. 
• Expert competency in a programming language (R or Python), data visualization, and Project Management applications. 

Highlights of NEEA’s Benefits: 

• 90% of medical/dental premiums paid by NEEA, including for dependents 
• Employer funded Health Savings Account 
• 136 hours of PTO/year 
• Automatic 6% retirement contribution with an additional 2% matching 
• Flexible work environment, including hybrid work location and 9/80 schedule options 
• Professional development opportunities 

NEEA is an Equal Opportunity Employer