Director of Strategic Energy Partnerships

State of Utah Office of the Governor•Salt Lake City, UT

14h•$58 - $63•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Strategic Energy Partnerships serves as the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development's (GOED) lead advisor and subject matter expert for energy-related economic development. As Utah experiences growing demand for power driven by business expansion, advanced manufacturing, data centers, and emerging industries, this role supports GOED's efforts to help ensure the energy needs of new and expanding businesses are addressed through coordination with the Utah Office of Energy Development, utilities, energy developers, and other key partners. The position supports GOED's Economic Growth team by providing expertise on energy-related opportunities and challenges affecting business recruitment, expansion, retention, and site selection projects. Serving as GOED's primary connection to the Utah Office of Energy Development, the role helps align economic development priorities with the state's broader energy strategy while coordinating with utilities, energy developers, local governments, and other state agencies to help businesses navigate complex energy issues. The position helps strengthen Utah's economic competitiveness by fostering partnerships across the public and private sectors that support reliable energy solutions for business growth. While the role coordinates closely with the Office of Energy Development, it does not establish energy policy or regulate utilities.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree is preferred but not required. An equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience will be considered.
Seven years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, business development, utilities, infrastructure, government relations, commercial real estate, corporate site selection, industrial development, or a related field.
Experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
Demonstrated ability to build partnerships with business, government, and industry leaders.
Strong relationship-building, communication, and negotiation skills.
Ability to coordinate complex public-private initiatives.
Strategic problem-solving and project management skills.
Knowledge of economic development principles and partnership development.
Ability to represent GOED with professionalism and sound judgment.

Nice To Haves

Experience with utilities, energy developers, or large industrial energy users.
Experience supporting advanced manufacturing, data center, large-load, or energy infrastructure projects.
Knowledge of utility interconnection, transmission planning, energy infrastructure, or industrial site selection.
Familiarity with Utah's economic development ecosystem.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic energy expertise and technical support to GOED's Economic Growth team on business recruitment, expansion, retention, and site selection projects.
Partner with GOED's Economic Growth team to support companies with significant energy needs and connect them with the appropriate public and private partners.
Serve as GOED's primary liaison to the Utah Office of Energy Development and coordinate energy-related collaboration between GOED, utilities, energy developers, businesses, and other stakeholders.
Lead cross-sector partnerships that support business recruitment, expansion, and strategic energy projects.
Coordinate with the Office of Energy Development, utilities, energy developers, local governments, and other state agencies to help remove barriers to business investment and strategic energy projects.
Support site selection efforts by helping businesses understand energy infrastructure, capacity, and service availability.
Help advance energy generation and infrastructure projects by connecting developers with appropriate public and private partners.
Build relationships with utilities, industry associations, regional economic development organizations, site selectors, and strategic partners.
Monitor energy and infrastructure trends and provide recommendations to GOED leadership.
Represent GOED on interagency energy initiatives and facilitate collaboration between the business community, the Office of Energy Development, utilities, and other public and private partners.