Economic Development Manager

Puget Sound Energy•Bothell, WA

About The Position

The Economic Development Manager (EDM) coordinates and manages processes related to feasibility assessments for new large load requests, while exploring non-wires solutions (e.g., Distributed Energy Resources and Demand Response) and other initiatives to support customer and community energy needs. This role oversees the feasibility inquiry process and partners with internal and external stakeholders to gather requirements, develop solutions, and align strategy. Work efforts may originate from various sources and can evolve into infrastructure projects and system upgrades. The EDM supports customers across a broad range of needs, including capacity planning, load growth, and overall system feasibility. This role leads cross-functional coordination on behalf of customers, collaborating with account managers and key internal partners such as Engineering, Real Estate, Environmental, Permitting, System Planning, Products and Services, Government Affairs, Community Engagement, and Energy Resources. Responsibilities also include facilitating communication across teams, representing PSE and the Economic Development team in customer engagements and external forums, and supporting internal efforts related to tracking, forecasting, and executing infrastructure growth and capacity planning. Upholds the safety compliance standards inherent in PSE’s operating and/or field procedures related to work responsibilities. Promotes and supports a culture of total safety. Demonstrates commitment to conduct business honestly, ethically and consistent with our core values and Code of Conduct. Ensure duties are performed in accordance with all regulatory compliance obligations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Business Administration, Project Management, Engineering or related discipline and/or related work experience.
At least 5 years relevant work experience coordinating tasks while partnering with customers to support energy needs and/or other relevant customer needs.
Experience coordinating and/or leading projects directly related to supporting customer energy capacity and feasibility and/or other relevant customer needs.
Demonstrated strong written and verbal communications skills and ability to work as part of a team.
Knowledge and experience in scheduling, estimating, accounting and finance principles.
Strong customer focus with the ability to partner with customers to resolve issues, understand needs and strategize solutions.
Ability to work with a variety of teams in a collaborative way.

Nice To Haves

7 years’ experience managing feasibility infrastructure projects and customer inquiries.
Strong communication and presentation skills and techniques to bring about agreement between divergent points of view.
Ability to write clear, concise and direct narrative and reports.
Strong analytical, problem-solving and conceptual skills for single of multiple technical areas.
Negotiating and critical thinking skills.
Knowledge of utility methods, techniques and procedures involved in budgeting, procurement and contract administration.
Advanced Project Management Training and Project Management or Construction Management Certification from an accredited institution (PMI or College).
General knowledge of techniques used to involve community members in development of projects affecting their community.

Responsibilities

Assembles and leads multi-disciplinary project teams.
Identifies the scope of an assigned inquiry and decides logical action to meet inquiry requirements and deadlines.
Facilitates communication between service providers and internal customers/departments, which may include technical support.
Responds to customer concerns and works with appropriate parties for resolution.
Coordinates and manages feasibility request processes for customers.
Understands the general costs, rate structure, feasibility, and estimates pertaining to the schedule and budget development, for projects and inquiries.
Feasibility inquiries may involve new construction, upgrades and modifications of the electric distribution and transmission system; substations; gas pipelines, district regulators and other gas facilities.
Feasibility inquiries may also include the addition of new generation facilities and modifications, upgrades to existing facilities, and an exploration of new or different technologies to find a solution to customer energy needs.
Work in partnership with internal departments, service providers, and external entities to coordinate feasibility inquiries and obtain appropriate resources.
Facilitates technical assistance to internal and external customers.
Applies general rules, standards and guidelines to specific technical problems.
Understand and communicate technical information effectively – written and oral communication – with internal and external audiences including the ability to translate technical information to a variety of audiences, and customer questions and concerns to PSE technical teams.
Supports activities related to feasibility inquiries.
Reports on feasibility inquiries’ progress as directed.
Ability to organize and track information.
Gathers, consolidates and analyzes facts in relation to feasibility requirements.
Provides support and response during storms and emergencies.
Performs other duties as assigned.