Director New Generation Development

Job Specifications

Black Hills Energy is people powered and purpose driven. Our team uses the power of energy to improve life for over one million customers in 800+ communities across the West and Midwest. We seek talented, caring people who embody our core values and contribute to a culture of inclusion and growth. As an organization, we believe the best part of working on our team is our commitment to making tomorrow better than today-for our customers, communities and each other.

Position summary:

This individual is responsible for providing overall leadership and direction for the Corporation's regulated electric utility business to secure adequate electric generation resources through either resource acquisition or long-term purchase agreements. In this role, the employee will be responsible for executing on finalized electric resource plans and lead the request for proposals (RFP) process to modify, replace or expand the utilities electric generation portfolio to support customer demand and ensure power supply reliability. This role will also manage and coordinate resource procurement for customers who select large power contract service (LPCS) and require firm energy and capacity.

Pay Range: $152,100 - $250,950 (This posting includes the full pay range for this position. Pay is based on a number of factors and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and internal equity.)

Reporting Relationship: Vice President Power Delivery

Location: Rapid City, SD

Relocation Assistance: Relocation assistance is available based on individual circumstances! Details to be shared during the offer process.

Essential Functions:
* Lead the electric utilities RFP process to secure adequate generation to serve customer loads reliably and coordinate, negotiate and execute build-transfer or long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with customers, counterparties, and key partners to secure generation long term resources for electric utility tariffs and resource plans.
* Lead cross functional teams to support the execution of the RFP processes by evaluating cost, reliability, and project viability to recommend selected generation resources to meet the electric utilities generation resource requirements as defined in the utilities resource plans, customer agreements and tariffs.
* Lead resource acquisition through build-transfer transactions including negotiation of purchase and sales agreements and leading the due diligence efforts working with identified subject matter experts in key areas including, but not limited to, land, environmental, permitting, balance-of-plant and generation facility design and ensure the effective interaction with energy marketing rules and successful transition to generation operations.
* Ability to project manage, structure, negotiate and execute long-term capacity and energy PPA's and ensure the effective interaction with energy marketing rules and successful transition to generation operations.
* Lead the preparation of business transaction recommendations including analytics of financial and operational risk. Present recommendations to senior leadership as needed and provide expert witness testimony in state regulatory filings and hearings.
* If required for the RFP processes, coordinate and lead the discussions with the independent evaluators and ensure all processes are managed for transparency to support affiliate or utility self-build proposals.
* Knowledge of rules and operations relating to energy market structures (SPP and CAISO), procurement of electric transmission service and transmission interconnects and any applicable regulatory compliance requirements including state and federal requirements.
* Knowledge of how to move physical energy, of commodity trading and pricing, and knowledge of existing and developing RTO/ISO and the impact on mid and long-term energy products.
* Lead the process for any qualified facilities (QF) requests submitted to the Company as allowed under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA).

Additional Responsibilities:
* Foster positive relationships with select energy partners.
* Maintain effective working relationships with required corporate service company support services while adhering to compliance with FERC code of conduct and affiliate rules.
What Is Required:
* Bachelor's Degree Engineering, business, finance, applied mathematics or related field required or equivalent combination of education and experience.
* Minimum of 10 years of experience in resource planning, regulatory, power marketing, origination, project management, generation, transmission, engineering, or asset management in a utility environment.
* This position requires driving responsibilities. You must hold and maintain a valid driver's license and a driving record that meets company and insurer standards.
* This role will be required to travel up to 10% of the time.

What Is Desired:
* Broad knowledge of bulk electric system, electric utility operations, energy marketing, and transmission system operations.
* Ability to lead, and hold accountable, SMEs through a cross functional matrix organization to ensure timely and accurate evaluation and diligence.
* Knowledge of risk analysis, energy risk management, resource plan modeling, and RFP leadership through competitive processes.
* Business knowledge of energy and capacity contract management.
* Working knowledge of financial, business, and managerial accounting including financial budgeting, reporting.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* Must have effective human relations skills in dealing with management, staff, customers and energy partners.
* Proven ability to understand and exercise excellent judgment in a complex, high stress, electric utility environment.

This description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, duties, and requirements for employees in this position. Job descriptions may and do change periodically. Where positions are covered by a collective bargaining unit agreement, the terms and conditions of the agreement will apply.

About our Company: We are a customer, growth and safety focused utility company that is dedicated to our communities. We improve life with energy as an energy partner of choice. Our diverse culture fuels unique perspectives, opening doors to new insights and possibilities. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, we have over 3000 employees and serve 1.3 million natural gas and electric utility customers across eight states (South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Arkansas).

Enjoy our Comprehensive Benefits Package! Annual discretionary bonuses, 401(k) (6% company match and up to 9% company retirement contribution), tuition reimbursement, generous paid time off benefits, including paid holidays and parental leave, company paid life insurance and disability benefits (short and long term), an employee assistance program and well-being benefits, and competitive medical, dental and vision insurance.

Candidates must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check. If there is anything that may show up in these reports that may conflict with the position requirements, feel free to contact the Black Hills Energy recruiting team at jobs@blackhillscorp.com.

Black Hills Energy does not sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran. If you require reasonable accommodation, please visit careers.blackhillsenergy.com for more information.