Program Manager - Economic Development

Summary

The Program Manager - Economic Development is primarily responsible for leading NYPA in the identification, evaluation, structuring, and implementation of various NYPA initiatives including but not limited to economic development programs (WNY Hydro, Preservation Power, ReCharge NY), associated loan and grant programs (I.e., WNY/NNY Power Proceeds Programs), new business opportunities and energy policy projects. This position is responsible for some of the largest, most strategically important NYPA economic development programs, and interacts with key executives in government, private industry, and various non-governmental organizations.  The position may implement a targeted program that integrates multiple platforms and resources to influence and build relationships with prospects, consultants, organizational decision makers, media & communications information sources; proactively identifying and addressing business climate issues; and assisting in providing research and information, and/or technology support needed to execute these tasks. The position may coordinate, or collaborate to establish prospect site visits, assisting in establishing a baseline of information with respect to existing local businesses; support local business growth and provide outreach to existing businesses. The position contributes to the development of policy initiatives in the energy utility industry, provides analysis and recommendations regarding competing businesses, operating and financial models, and creates and delivers presentations for senior leadership and at Board of Trustee’s meetings.

The position develops strong working relationships with external stakeholders in the economic development community throughout the State as well as businesses seeking to expand in and relocate to New York, in order to secure and create jobs through the allocation of lower priced power in exchange for job commitments and capital investments in NYS. The position ensures that Clean Energy Solutiona (CES) will retain, secure, and grow retail revenues from target markets in a fully competitive marketplace, and provide attractive customer energy solutions to earn the distinction of the “supplier of choice” from future customers. CES will lead efforts to broaden the scope of markets served by NYPA, creating marketing flexibility and instilling timely delivery of NYPA’s products and services.  This position is responsible for maintaining a work environment that acts with a focus on the future, is adaptable and executes with a sense of urgency in an increasingly competitive business landscape. 

As the largest state-owned utility in the country and serving a state with one the most aggressive clean energy agendas, NYPA is delivering cutting edge clean energy solutions to its governmental and private sector customer base. The existing and evolving service offerings include traditional energy efficiency, distribution and customer sited solar, energy storage, electric vehicle infrastructure and services, digital platform offerings as well as evolving opportunities in performance contracting and ‘as-a-service’ models.  The Economic Development Program Manager is responsible for resource assignments and deliverables as well as supporting the Sr. Director Economic Development in a fast-paced, demanding environment with a high-level of internal and external exposure. The role requires strong coordination and collaboration across multiple functional groups within NYPA and will work closely with the Director of Business Development. This position plays a significant role in the strategic execution of NYPA’s corporate mission to benefit NYPA’s customers and all New Yorkers. #LI-VB1

Responsibilities

• Responsible for achieving  annual KPIs, goals and other deliverables supporting the  Economic Development team in a fast-paced, demanding environment with a high-level of internal and external exposure. 
• Responsible for inputting and managing the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) activities in order to optimize, model and manage NYPA/customer economic development business data. 
• Maintain economic development processes that are key stakeholder and prospect focused, targeted to create and maintain critical and delicate relationships for maximum benefit to the State and NYPA.
• Responsible to maintain and enhance multiple levels of relationships; coordinate executive level customer meetings and events; meet with and maintain working relationships with business, municipal, cooperative and economic development associations and other external stakeholders; and as requested, meet members of the NYS legislature and staff.
• Responsible for broadening the scope of markets served by NYPA, creating marketing flexibility, and instilling responsive and speedy delivery of NYPA products and services. 
• Responsible for setting regional attraction/retention objectives, and developing strategies and tactics in support of NYPA’s mission and goals 
• Accountable for coordinating marketing/communications efforts between Economic Development, Business Development and Marketing Communications.
• Responsible for coordinating with internal resources (Business Development / Key Account Management, Finance, Business Power Allocations & Compliance, Power Contracts, and Legal) in the preparation of Board materials, contracts, project status reports, and other documents appropriate for the review/management of projects. 
• Maintain open lines of communication between local development partners including (but not limited to) Empire State Development Corporation, NYSERDA, Local Industrial Development Agencies, Local Development Corporations, Municipalities, Counties, Utilities, Regional Planning Boards, and Chambers of Commerce. 
   

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent negotiating skills are required as incumbent will be responsible for negotiating market arrangements with customers, external stakeholders and regulatory bodies.
• Must be an effective team leader since the incumbent will have to call on staff from different groups internal and external to Business Development to assist in administering certain contract provisions
• Demonstrated superior knowledge of and ability to implement marketing and sales principles within business market and economic development environments.  Ability to implement effective strategic planning and change processes in a marketing environment driven by external forces. 
• Must possess excellent knowledge of and ability to implement marketing and account management principles.  Requires working knowledge of strategic planning, finance and economics.
• Demonstrated knowledge and perspective for the full energy delivery channel and the competitive factors at each juncture and demonstrated understanding of the conflicts of competition, regulation, and politics affecting marketing actions.
• Superior communicator with a strong ability to represent the company formally and informally to internal and external stakeholders.
• Must have excellentverbal, written and presentation communication skills that are targeted to the audience, unambiguous, focused on understanding, and lead to a call for action.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively deal in and with an unstructured environment.
• Ability to stay current on changes in the utility industry, economic development arena, and legislative initiatives.  Must be able to think creatively.
• Proven ability to implement strategic planning.

Education, Experience and Certifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in business, engineering, economics, marketing, or related field.  
• Advanced degree in engineering, management, MBA, or a related field is preferred.  
• Must have a minimum of 6 years electric utility and/or economic development experience.
• Experience with the New York Independent System Operator market place.
• Working knowledge of contracts, strategic planning, finance and economics is preferred.
• Basic Economic Development Course / Certification is desired.
• Experience working with customers (external and/or internal). 

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform standard office work. 
• Approximately 20% primarily NYS based travel is required.