Associate, Business Development

Southern Company • Birmingham, AL

20h

About The Position

The Business Development Associate will work closely with the Business Development Managers to assist and support efforts to locate, pursue, and execute quality, profitable acquisition, origination, and development opportunities that provide material benefits to Southern Power and Southern Company. While supporting a broad range of growth initiatives, this role will place special emphasis on identifying and advancing new natural gas generation projects that align with Southern Power’s strategy for reliable, cost-effective, energy solutions. This is a support position with the primary role of enhancing the productivity and effectiveness of the Business Development Managers and the entire team by coordinating project activities, assisting in technical or detailed evaluations, managing and following up on assigned issues or action plans, etc. Primary interfaces involve all of the expert groups supporting a deal evaluation and negotiation such as Accounting, Finance, Structuring, Generation Development, Transmission, Siting, External Affairs, Engineering, Asset Management, etc. This position provides the opportunity for the successful candidate to learn the acquisition and development process by working alongside Business Development Managers to develop relationships with external parties, prepare indicative proposals, understand project valuations, perform due diligence, and structure and negotiate purchase agreements and PPAs, with a particular focus on natural gas generation assets and related infrastructure.

Requirements

• Basic knowledge of (or interest in) technologies employed in natural gas and other thermal energy generating assets, as well as renewable energy
• Basic knowledge of (or interest in) the wholesale energy market and electric system economics
• Basic knowledge of (or interest in) financial principles
• Basic knowledge of (or interest in) wholesale power contracting principles, including power purchase agreement terms and conditions and risks associated with contract obligations
• Basic knowledge of (or interest in) negotiating contracts
• High degree of project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects at one time
• Must be a self-starter who takes initiative and possesses an “ownership” attitude to follow up on assigned tasks and issues
• Strong organizational/project management skills with the ability to support multiple BD managers and handle multiple complex issues/projects under pressure simultaneously and successfully
• Interpersonal skills with the desire and ability to develop relationships and work closely with cross-functional support teams
• Ability to develop and maintain credible professional relationships with a wide variety of external counterparties—partners, developers, financial firms, customers, vendors, competitors
• Excellent written and oral communication skills to communicate complex information clearly and concisely
• Analytical skills necessary to identify and understand key issues, investigate potential solutions, and recommend best course of action
• High degree of proficiency with standard business software

Nice To Haves

• Education Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required – i.e. Business, Engineering, Finance, etc. Master’s degree not required but may be a plus
• Experience Experience with the power industry, particularly in natural gas generation development, project evaluation, or asset acquisition, is a plus
• Experience with the due diligence process, and/or contract negotiations also valuable
• Aptitude and attitude are of primary importance

Responsibilities

• Support efforts to deliver on growth plans for SPC, with a focus on new natural gas generation development and acquisition
• Prepare and maintain deal status summaries and presentations for management
• Assist in identifying acquisition and origination opportunities across technologies, prioritizing natural gas generation projects that enhance portfolio reliability and flexibility
• Track acquisition/origination progress, project management activities, and due diligence
• Investigate and/or follow up on specific assigned issues as needed
• Support negotiations and deal structuring
• Identify and implement improvements to the process, from deal sourcing to closing
• Build relationships with peers, support teams, and external counterparties

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees