Regional Account Executive

Avista•Spokane, WA

1d•$88,336 - $162,614•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is responsible for strategically developing and executing revenue growth, business development, and customer retention strategies for Avista’s largest and most complex commercial and industrial accounts. A core focus is on building and sustaining trust-based relationships with senior-level executives, serving as a consultative partner and advocate for customer success. The role requires a deep understanding of industry dynamics, customer operations, and the regulatory environment. Account Executives must proactively communicate evolving energy policy and regulatory developments, helping customers understand the implications. They also identify and support opportunities to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and align energy strategies with business and sustainability goals. Success in this role depends on refined consultative negotiation skills, cross-functional coordination, and the ability to co-create long-term value utilizing a balanced approach to customer and company priorities. They are accountable for aligning customer solutions with Avista’s financial and strategic goals, ensuring that outcomes support both customer vitality and long-term utility profitability.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university in marketing, business, or related field
Excellent verbal, written communication and interpersonal skills
High emphasis will be placed on customer relationship building and demonstrated competencies in consultative negotiation and problem solving
Knowledge and experience in both the finance and regulatory arenas preferred
Minimum of 3 years of account executive, professional sales, or customer relations experience is required, plus specialized training or experience in commercial and industrial operations preferred
Knowledge of and ability to apply technical understanding of regulations, rules and requirements
Knowledge and experience in both the finance and regulatory arenas required
Minimum of 5 years of account executive, professional sales, or customer relations experience is required, plus specialized training or experience in commercial and industrial operations would be preferred
Ability to manage complex tasks and lead strategic initiatives.
Ability to prioritize and manage workload with high degree of autonomy

Nice To Haves

specialized training or experience in commercial and industrial operations preferred
specialized training or experience in commercial and industrial operations would be preferred

Responsibilities

Strategically negotiate and manage customer contracts to attract and retain customers, ensuring long-term demand for Avista services while supporting customer economic vitality and Avista profitability.
Lead cross-functional coordination across Avista departments to ensure seamless service delivery, project execution, and installation of services for customers, providing direction to engineering, operations and management teams.
Maintain deep industry and customer insights by analyzing market trends, regulatory shifts, and customer operations. Actively engage in industry associations to anticipate emerging needs and inform strategic account planning.
Proactively communicate evolving energy policy and regulatory developments to customers, helping them understand the implication of policy changes on their energy consumption and costs.
Serve as a trusted advisor and advocate for customers, fostering executive-level relationships, ensuring their needs are represented within Avista. Facilitate transparent, two-way communication to resolve issues and co-create long-term value.
Employ a consultative approach to innovating energy solutions, including energy efficiency programs and emerging technologies, tailored to evolving customer needs and sustainability goals. Assist customers in identifying and leveraging opportunities that reduce costs, increase efficiency, and align with business priorities.
Independently manage daily responsibilities with a high degree of autonomy, demonstrating sound judgment in prioritizing tasks that align with both customer needs and Avista’s strategic objectives. Maintain focus on high-impact activities, adapt to shifting demands, and ensure consistent progress towards goals.
Foster a collaborative environment by engaging with internal teams and stakeholders to align strategies, share insights and drive coordinated action. Leverage collective expertise to co-create solutions that support customer success and advance Avista’s strategic objectives.
Leads complex contract negotiations, including multi-year and multi-service agreements utilizing best practices and risk assessment.
Lead and optimize cross-functional teams for high-impact initiatives. Identify and resolve barriers to service delivery.
Synthesize complex market and regulatory data to proactively advise customers.
Serve as primary liaison for regulatory and policy matters with key accounts, proactively educating customers on the impacts of regulatory changes.
Cultivate strategic partnerships with C-suite executives and industry leaders. Resolve high-stakes issues and facilitate executive-level negotiations.
Drive organizational change through collaboration.
Drives performance with coaching, motivating, instructing, and mentoring. Ensuring all processes and procedures are clarified, followed and aligned with business strategies to improve customer satisfaction. And may support management by providing work directions and tracking employee training progress.