Director of Energy Planning & Advisory Services

VHB•Atlanta, GA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

VHB’s Energy Evolution Practice (EEP) is expanding, and we’re looking for a senior, entrepreneurial leader to help build and grow our Energy Planning & Advisory Services department. This role will help shape the direction of the service line, deepen relationships with key clients and partners, and lead delivery of advisory work that supports energy transition priorities—ranging from energy master planning and efficiency to renewables integration, energy modeling, decarbonization, and broader sustainability strategy. This position is ideal for someone who thrives in a “builder” role: bringing people together across disciplines, translating emerging market needs into scalable offerings, and partnering with both internal/external leaders across the industry to bring energy advisory services to clients throughout VHB’s core markets within the energy, transportation, real estate, institutions, and federal/state/local government sectors. This seller doer leader will balance project execution and delivery, business development, client advisory leadership, and internal practice-building to continue positioning VHB as a go-to advisor in the evolving energy landscape.

Requirements

Deep expertise in energy planning and advisory services supporting multiple sectors including utilities, public and private corporations and other similar sectors.
Demonstrated success in business development, including securing new clients and winning both small and large-scale projects.
Strong knowledge of energy regulations and processes at the local, state, and federal levels.
Strategic thinker with strong program management skills and the ability to support clients from concept, through permitting, and implementation.
Recognized industry leader and effective energy planning/ strategist, ideally with multi-state experience.
Strong leadership, team building, and mentorship capabilities.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Strong industry presence throughout the east coast.
Experience working with agencies such as DOE, State Energy Offices, RTO’s, and other energy related organizations.
Bachelor’s degree in Biological Science, Environmental Science, Planning, Engineering, or a related field; master’s degree preferred.
15+ years of relevant professional experience, with 5+ years in a strategic leadership, market development, or business unit management role.
Demonstrated history of successful project delivery/ execution providing energy services and client relationship management across a broad national footprint supporting energy related projects.
Recognized for serving as a subject matter expert or contributing to industry-wide best practices.

Nice To Haves

Professional certifications or licensures in applicable fields preferred, including Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Certified Renewable Energy Professional (REP), or related certifications.

Responsibilities

Set the vision and market approach for Energy Planning & Advisory Services within the EEP, including growth priorities, service expansion, and KPI’s.
Track and interpret regional market conditions, policy drivers, and client demand to guide investment decisions and service-line direction.
Identify and pursue new opportunities across VHB’s core markets, including transportation, real estate, institutions, energy, and federal, state and local governments.
Establish strategic relationships and teaming partnerships to help advance market reach and project delivery.
Lead development and delivery of client advisory solutions such as energy master planning, energy assessments, energy modeling, financial modeling & ROI calculations, decarbonization planning, renewable/DER strategy, program design, and implementation planning.
Translate client goals into practical, actionable strategies supported by strong technical rationale and clear business cases (including financial and risk considerations, where appropriate).
Support and/or oversee services tied to regulatory and policy considerations, stakeholder engagement approaches, and implementation pathways.
Serve as a trusted advisor to senior client decision-makers—helping clients navigate complexity and make informed, defensible choices.
Continuously evolve offerings to reflect emerging technologies, policy changes, funding opportunities, and best practices across the energy transition.