Director, Customer Energy Solutions

E Source

4d • $145,000 - $193,000 • Remote

About The Position

E Source is a research, data/analytics, and technology-focused professional services firm serving the utility industry in the US and Canada. The Director, Customer Energy Solutions leads large and complex research, evaluation, and advisory engagements for major utility clients. The role owns strategic client relationships, directs multidisciplinary teams, guides research methods and service delivery, develops project managers and staff, and translates company strategy into reliable execution. The Director applies deep research expertise, industry knowledge, business acumen, and strong judgment to create client value and support the growth of the Customer Energy Solutions practice.

The role manages an assigned client portfolio’s financial performance, including revenue, profitability, staffing and utilization, forecasting, subcontractor spending, invoicing, and collections, in partnership with project managers and Finance. It also champions strategic proposals and selected business development opportunities, supports market development and external visibility, and partners with peers and senior leaders to improve execution, prioritize resources, and implement company and practice-area strategy.

The position is remote with occasional travel, approximately 1–4 times per year. The budgeted salary is $145,000–$193,000 USD plus an annual bonus, with actual pay adjusted based on experience. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the US or Canada; visa or Labour Market Impact Assessment sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

• Approximately 9 or more years of relevant professional experience, or commensurate experience demonstrating readiness for Director-level scope and accountability.
• An advanced degree in social sciences, engineering, or a related field, or a bachelor’s degree with commensurate professional experience.
• Extensive experience applying qualitative and quantitative social science research methods, including research design, instrument development, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting.
• Demonstrated success leading large or complex consulting engagements, managing project economics and risk, and delivering high-quality work for major clients.
• Demonstrated experience leading client relationships, developing managers and staff, and contributing to strategic proposals and business development.
• Extensive experience leading qualitative and quantitative research, evaluation, and advisory work from strategy and design through delivery.
• A demonstrated record of managing major client engagements, developing long-term client relationships, and serving as a trusted senior advisor.
• Ability to direct project managers, technical specialists, subcontractors, and cross-functional contributors toward shared outcomes.
• Sound strategic decision-making in ambiguous environments, balancing the big picture with details needed for reliable execution.
• Strong business acumen and understanding of how client value, project economics, staffing, risk, and business development connect.
• Ability to anticipate problems, identify patterns and root causes, and lead teams toward practical solutions.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, including ability to lead high-impact discussions with technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Deep knowledge of the utility or energy industry, including relevant best practices, trends, policies, regulatory contexts, or program environments.
• Strong judgment in research design, data collection, qualitative and quantitative analysis, synthesis, and reporting.
• Track record of coaching managers and developing staff, teams, and future leaders.
• Collaboration, integrity, customer focus, adaptability, accountability, and a consistent drive for results.
• Authorization to work for any employer in the US or Canada; the company cannot sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas or Canadian Labour Market Impact Assessments.

Nice To Haves

• Experience leading strategic business development opportunities and growing major client accounts or service offerings.
• External recognition as an industry leader through conferences, associations, publications, or other thought leadership.
• Experience overseeing a project portfolio and contributing to team- or practice-level budgeting, forecasting, and resource planning.
• Experience working on California demand-side management programs, including energy efficiency or demand response, and knowledge of relevant state policy and regulatory frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead the largest and most complex research, evaluation, and advisory engagements for major clients, including engagements with multidisciplinary teams.
• Own and develop long-term client relationships, anticipate strategic needs, risks, and opportunities, and act as a trusted advisor.
• Direct project managers and technical staff, providing strategic, methodological, analytical, and reporting guidance and ensuring clear accountability.
• Ensure engagements meet objectives, scopes, schedules, budgets, quality standards, and contract requirements.
• Set direction for research and evaluation approaches using industry best practices and advancing qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on project teams and in client conversations, translating complex methods and findings into actionable recommendations.
• Establish and improve quality assurance processes; review high-stakes analyses and deliverables to ensure consistent, decision-ready work.
• Lead strategic client communications, including high-stakes discussions about trade-offs, decisions, risks, and next steps.
• Manage the financial performance of an assigned portfolio, including revenue, profitability, staffing, utilization, forecasting, subcontractor spending, invoicing, and collections, in partnership with project managers and Finance.
• Champion strategic proposals and lead selected business development opportunities, including solution development, proposal strategy, and finalist presentations.
• Support market development and external visibility through conference presentations, industry participation, partnerships, and thought leadership.
• Manage, coach, and develop mid-level staff and project leaders, strengthening their judgment, client leadership, communication, and people-management skills.
• Partner with peers and senior leaders to improve execution, prioritize resources, identify systemic issues, and implement company and practice-area strategy.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Company-paid life insurance.
• Company-paid long- and short-term disability insurance.
• Medical and dependent-care flexible spending plans.
• Paid parental leave.
• Flexible time off (FTO), with paid time away approved by the manager while business needs, workload commitments, and coverage are maintained.
• 401(k) plan with a 3% employer match.
• Annual bonus.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director