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The Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) helps all electric power stakeholders accelerate the transformation to a carbon free electricity system. SEPA concentrates our focus on the following areas to maximize impact: Transportation, Storage, Resilience, Emerging Technologies, and Policy.

SEPA delivers value to our members through research, education, events, working groups, peer engagements, and member projects. We facilitate collaboration, develop innovative strategies and guidance for regulatory and business innovation, and provide actionable solutions for our members and partner organizations. For more information, visit www.sepapower.org.

Position

The Director, Energy Storage is accountable for thought leadership, the P&L and oversight of the growing importance of energy storage in supporting the transition to an affordable, reliable, and resilient carbon-free electric energy system. 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 energy storage expert for the organization, which includes:

• Providing leadership under SEPA’s matrixed structure for team members working on the broad range of energy storage opportunities and projects, in identifying critical industry needs, and market trends related to their control and operation.
• Monitoring technical, programmatic, regulatory, and policy trends in this space and generates key industry insights from these trends.

The salary range for this position is $135,000 - $165,000 with the target being around $150,000 based on experience.

Focus Area Leadership (20% of time)

• Champions accelerating the role of energy storage as part of 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 annual strategy planning process.
• 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 energy storage 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 energy storage technology advancements and opportunities to contribute to a carbon-free energy system.
• Represents SEPA externally by attending and speaking at key industry events to raise SEPA’s visibility and to establish credibility for our work.
• Leads Energy Storage working groups, setting the monthly meeting agendas in consultation with the working group and subcommittee co-chair(s), recruiting working group members, overseeing the development of minutes, conducting joint-research with working group subcommittees, and developing the annual working group plan. 

Project Execution (50% of time)

• Develops sponsored research and advisory service proposals on energy storage topics to potential funders, and negotiates and executes contracts.  Sample projects could include: technology roadmaps; requirements gathering and documentation; energy storage interconnection, integration and execution strategies; technology deployment; and business use case creation and evaluation.
• Clarifies energy storage strategy and technology requirements for client work.
• Creates project deliverables, acting as an individual contributor when needed.
• Formulates research partnerships as needed to better position SEPA as a credible expert in energy storage.
• Coordinates with research colleagues to provide peer review on research content related to other topics.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years work experience with demonstrated understanding of:
  • Broad range of energy storage technologies across multiple media types and durations, including technical knowledge and the strengths and weaknesses across the matrix of energy storage type and duration;
  • Energy storage cost and benefit streams from the perspectives of the end-use customer, distribution utility, and transmission entity;
  • Utility distribution system control and operations, and associated planning;
  • Utility distribution and transmission interconnection processes;
  • Working in conjunction with electric utility representatives either in a stakeholder, client, or membership capacity; and
  • Overseeing research projects and collaborating with external partners, stakeholders and working groups.
• Familiarity with industry standards and protocols for energy storage and associated balance of system hardware (e.g. IEEE 1547 and 2030 series of standards).
• 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?

• This position will provide the opportunity to work in a cutting-edge organization which thrives on innovation.
• 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 values:

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.

About Smart Electric Power Alliance

The Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) is a nonprofit organization that envisions a carbon-free energy system that is safe, affordable, reliable, resilient and equitable. Our mission is to accelerate the electric power industry’s transformation to a modern energy future through education, research, standards, and collaboration. Since 1992, we have led electric stakeholders to solutions and strategies for their unique clean and modern energy challenges. This is why we’ve provided three pathways with the tools and resources you need to move forward: Electrification, Grid Integration, and Regulatory and Business Innovation. SEPA does not advocate for policy positions or lobby. We facilitate consensus around solutions and serve as a source for unbiased research and education.

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