Director, Consulting Operations

Overview

VEIC is a sustainable energy company on a mission to generate the energy solutions the world needs. For more than 30 years, VEIC has worked with governments, utilities, foundations, and businesses across North America to design and deploy clean-energy services spanning energy efficiency, building decarbonization, transportation electrification, and a clean and flexible grid.  At the forefront of the energy transition, our consulting clients are advancing clean energy goals through innovation. With experience designing programs, implementing federal, state, and utility funding, and delivering results to underserved communities, we help leaders in the energy sector decarbonize across four core service areas: energy efficiency, building decarbonization, transportation electrification, and making electricity grids clean and flexible. 

The Director, Consulting Operations works directly with, and as a part of, the Consulting leadership team to plan, manage, and lead the operational, analytics, and financial performance of the department. In addition to operational accountability, the role has a heavy focus on organizational collaboration, long-range planning and strategy, and success. This role leads Consulting in striking the right balance between being strategic – with well-articulated, short- and long-term goals and operating plans – and remaining nimble to respond quickly and effectively to unexpected challenges and opportunities. Duties will include ensuring that systems, tools, and resources are used effectively and consistently across the team.  

Qualified candidates located in the states where VEIC conducts business will also be considered: CA, CT, DC, DE, HI, IL, MA, MD, ME, MI, MT, NJ, NY, PA, OH, RI, VA, VT, and WI. Candidates across all markers of identity (age, race, gender, ability, communication style, etc.) are highly encouraged to apply.  

VEIC is committed to building a work community that is inclusive and represents a vibrant diversity of background, experience, perspective, and thought. Climate change impacts all of us; however, we are impacted differently based on our identities and experiences. We all deserve a place at the table to make decisions about our collective future – we hope you'll consider joining us as we work towards our vision for a healthy planet, thriving people, and energy justice.  #LI-Remote

Responsibilities

• Leads continuous improvement activities to help ensure efficient and seamless processes, optimizing the work of the Consulting team with respect to project execution, financial performance, and general operations. Processes include resource allocation, project management, budgeting and forecasting, contract management, invoicing, and performance tracking and reporting.  
• Along with the Managing Director, Consulting, is responsible for the development of the annual corporate budgeting process and monthly forecast process for the entirety of the Consulting Division.  
• Identifies and assists in the development and implementation of effective cross-division coordination to maximize the delivery of effective services to accomplish VEIC goals and objectives. 
• Leads key initiatives to improve the management and operational excellence of the Consulting Division, such as project management office and knowledge management improvement efforts. 
• Provides management direction to staff in support of Consulting as follows: 

• provides ongoing professional development, coaching, constructive feedback, personal goal setting, and performance management, providing real-time constructive feedback on an ongoing basis; 
• develops and communicates clear guidelines and expectations; 
• assesses individual training needs and coordinates training accordingly; 
• guides and supports their team as they establish individual performance and professional development goals to maximize the performance, efficiency, and work quality of each individual in support of the team; 
• provides appropriate support and action in managing performance; 
• oversees staff recruitment and orientation; 

• mentors staff and holds staff accountable for meeting goals.  

• Operationalizes cross-divisional partnerships to support Consulting and VEIC strategy. This includes providing support to the Consulting Division Business Area Leads and Project Leads.  
• Oversees and evaluates project management processes, tools, and support, with an eye towards efficiency, effectiveness, and cost optimization. 
• Develops and implements processes and tools for assuring streamlined execution of project setup forecasting, and overall execution.   
• As designated by the Managing Director, Consulting, leads the Consulting team’s interactions with VEIC Corporate and Shared Services Divisions, including DATS-IT, Finance, Enterprise Services, and other relevant support functions within VEIC. Identifies areas of operational efficiency (e.g., digital asset management and IT systems support) that can help improve the quality of our work and helps coordinate implementation. Ensures that the Consulting Division receives the appropriate level and type of support from other divisions and departments. 
• Prepares, monitors, and interprets data to focus the Consulting team on improving the efficiency of long-range planning and day-to-day operations, and on meeting their quarterly and annual goals.  
• Tracks and presents trends affecting business objectives. 
• Appropriately works to manage existing processes to meet Consulting Division project and client needs. 
• Delivers information on Operating Profit, Margin, Labor, and efficiency expectations and provides leadership to direct reports, influences peers, and manages up accordingly. 
• Provides and conducts budget reviews and reports cost plans to the Consulting Leadership Team. 
• Works to grow the efficiency of existing organizational processes and procedures to enhance and sustain the organization’s internal capacity.  
• Develops and refines staffing structure for operations unit, and participates in recruitment, training, and mentoring of direct reports to optimize operation results, as measured by contract performance metrics and VEIC values. 
• Builds, develops, and inspires talented and highly dedicated staff.  
• Collaborates closely with members of Consulting Leadership Team to develop strategic solutions with partners and stakeholders. 
• Provides support to the activities of VEIC as necessary to accomplish organizational goals and objectives. 

Qualifications

• Strong personal commitment to the mission, vision, goals, and values of VEIC. 
• Bachelor’s degree plus at least ten years of operations experience in a professional services environment or a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills were acquired.  
• Ability to design, create, and carry out systematic process and/or tactical planning and implement planned steps from start to finish.  

• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to work independently and in a collaborative team environment.  
• Demonstrated ability to function in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment, balancing and prioritizing a variety of competing demands. 
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate group discussions and meetings. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage all aspects of large, complex projects – including leading multiple departments, interacting with clients, maintaining project/program budgets, holding staff accountable to program goals, and overseeing all aspects of project work. 
• Excellent strategy, analysis, planning, and decision-making experience. 
• Superior leadership skills in collaborative and team environments.   
• Excellent understanding of quality management, improvement, and continuous learning processes 
• Strong skills in interpersonal relations, assessing individual strengths and weakness, political savvy, and managerial courage. 
• Demonstrated ability to be organized, detail-oriented, accurate, and able to handle multiple tasks and competing priorities. 
• Knowledge of energy efficiency program design and service delivery is preferred. 
• Strong personal commitment to the mission, vision, goals, and values of VEIC.