Forecast Planning Manager jobs in Montana

Energy Supply Planning Manager

Work Location: Negotiable within Montana & South Dakota Service Territories; Butte MT Preferred

Pay range: $108,400 to $175,400 per year

Employment Status: Regular Full-time

External candidates apply at northwesternenergy.com

Internal candidates apply through iConnect.

About this position:

The Manager of Energy Supply Planning provides direction and leadership to the energy supply planning team. Responsibilities include supervision of public facing company vision communications, supply planning, supply investment justification, multiple areas of commission testimony, engineering, modeling, qualifying facilities, contract negotiations, and staff and commission relations in Montana and South Dakota.

The Planning Manager leads a team of analysts who perform multiple functions associated with the electricity and natural gas retail load serving obligations of NorthWestern Energy. Regular duties of the team include economic and technical analysis, technical writing, and recurring tasks in association with long-term supply planning, regulatory filings and proceedings, resource selection and acquisition, electricity resource portfolio management, and electricity supply contracts. Analysis of current and future electricity supply resources, retail load, and the electric and gas resource portfolios will be central to the position. Prepare and file written testimony, and appear as an expert witness in contentious regulatory proceedings.

This position oversees, supports, and ensures proper application of relevant state statutes and rules, and other planning related regulatory requirements to NorthWestern Energy's energy supply planning process. Develops and leads innovative planning approaches and solutions to solve complex issues of today and into the future. Position will manage and supervise a staff of energy supply planning analysts.

We offer great benefits:

NorthWestern Energy is a fully regulated electric and natural gas utility serving Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. We employ over 1,500 amazing people and serve 764,200 customers who are our neighbors in our communities. We are a top employer and offer competitive benefits, including:

• 401K with company match up to 4% and non-elective contribution up to 7%
• Healthcare and wellbeing programs, including dental and vision for you, your spouse and dependents, Health Savings Account (HSA), healthcare and dependent care flexible spending account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Programs (Offering up to six free counseling sessions, per person, per issue, per year for employees, spouses and dependents to include financial heath)
• Life Insurance (Company pays basic employee policy; spouse, dependent insurance also available)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Competitive pay (Scheduled performance-based wage increases and annual incentive opportunities.)
• Paid company endorsed volunteer opportunities
• Paid parental leave
• Paid bereavement leave
• Paid training opportunities
• Paid time off starting on your first day, plus 11 paid holidays

Benefits may vary by position or as negotiated as part of a collective bargaining agreement.

About this job:

• Lead the development and execution of energy supply planning activities to comply with regulatory planning requirements and other company strategic initiatives
• Represent NorthWestern Energy in highly visible public policy venues relating to the electric resource portfolio, including but not limited to resource procurement plans, general rate revues, and qualifying facility rate proceedings
• Incorporate operational, legal, regulatory, and environmental factors in completion of assignments
• Daily collaboration with the legal and regulatory groups required to provide policy and technical direction on energy supply planning activities and processes, including engagement with stakeholders and regulators
• Negotiate Power Purchase Agreements with developers
• Frame and break down complex problems into key components, design program frameworks and analyses to produce insight and answers to critical questions, and recommend practical solutions to achieve results
• Manage and support multiple projects from start to finish, managing tasks, communications, and project stakeholders
• Conduct market research to inform and validate inputs, assumptions and scenarios in order to identify critical uncertainties, and inform the key inputs and assumptions to be included in modeling and analysis
• Produce economic and technical analysis for the Executive Team that guides resource planning, infrastructure planning, strategic planning and/or public policy position development
• Create technical writing work products in support of regulatory filings, file written testimony, and appear as an expert witness in regulatory proceedings
• Able to lead and supervise a diverse team and act as a change agent with skills and experience for innovation and implementation of new programs and processes
• Lead NorthWestern Energy's engagements with its supply planning stakeholders
• Company travel up to 25% and extended hours may be required
• Most time spent in an office environment
• All NorthWestern Energy employees are required to adhere to company safety standards and the Code of Business Conduct & Ethics
• Ensure all actions are consistent with NorthWestern Energy's values, mission, and strategic business objectives

Am I right for this job? Here's the success profile:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics or Physics, Engineering or related field of study required; a Master's Degree is a plus
• A minimum of 4 years of relevant energy work experience at electric or natural gas utilities, independent power producers, wholesale energy market participants, regulatory agencies, consulting firms or similar organizations
• Strong understanding of NorthWestern Energy's business model and supply operations preferred
• Strong leadership, presentation, and written and spoken communication skills.
• Maintain a high degree of confidentiality and exercise sound business judgment
• Must be able to demonstrate advanced proficiency in the use of Microsoft® products including Excel and Word, experience with statistical programming (such as R, Stata, or similar) preferred
• Ability to supervise and direct the activities of several direct reports and coordinate diverse activities and delegate responsibilities effectively

Requisition #4346

Posting Dates: April 8, 2024 through April 22, 2024

Department/Division: Asset Management

Employment Physical: Not Required

Drug Test: Required

Background Check: Required

Relocation Benefit: Negotiable

Telecommuting: Part-time within NorthWestern energy service territory negotiable

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal or state laws and statutes. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act, should you have a disability that requires assistance and/or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources department at 1-800-245-6977 or at job.inquiries@northwestern.com.