Program Manager - Energy & Utilities - Remote

The Energy Program Manager (Energy/Utility) is part of a key team of professionals managing programs that deliver significant business value to Nordstrom and its customers—specifically this role will be working on the electricity reduction, optimizing regulated and deregulated contracts, develops, design, and launches utility-scale solutions for renewables and alternative energy. This position interacts with stakeholders and team members in both business and technical roles, working across department and functional lines on a variety of programs that range in scope, risk and complexity.

The candidate will manage a portfolio of activities to optimize and execute opportunities across Nordstrom facilities (stores, corporate facilities and supply chain) by monitoring energy supply and technology, including: support sites selection efforts, partner with stakeholders on strategy and execution, including partnership with utilities, develop business cases for new technology applications, communicate project needs and manage relationships across internal and external stakeholders, negotiate energy rate tariffs/special contracts, and identify market conditions and regulations material to large power consumers.

The candidate will have the ability to develop creative solutions that combine knowledge of regulated and deregulated power markets to deliver power to Nordstrom facilities. In addition, the candidate should be capable of developing commercial applications for advanced energy technologies. The candidate will need to broadly understand the dynamics of energy markets and Nordstrom’s unique position in the energy sector and when dealing with landlords of Nordstrom facilities. This necessitates that the candidate brings an innovative, collaborative presence to the role towards driving commercial & technology execution to realize business goals, lower costs and meet sustainability/energy targets.

Responsibilities

• Lead energy data analysis, improvement and energy supply contract development with utilities, landlords and third-party energy suppliers in support of Nordstrom’s facilities/businesses in North America.
• Assist in the analysis of energy industry trends, market policy and regulations to proactively identify opportunities to reduce cost, minimize risk, and advance sustainability.
• Partner with globally distributed internal stakeholders on site selection and energy project development, e.g. distributed energy, renewables, and provide ROI when needed.
• Own budgeting and accruals for all utilities engaging with all business units to forecast
• Work collaboratively with external vendors and consultants on regional market research.
• Establish open and strong working relationship with landlords, lease agents, and third-party vendors for all Nordstrom facilities/utilities bills like, water, gas, sewage and energy.
• Develop internal business cases including providing input on financial models and market research.
• Develop and drive adherence to program reporting structure with CSR, legal, Controller, and facilities to drive Nordstrom’s adoption of large-scale renewable energy purchasing.
• Puts together strategy to request and optimize funding from CSR/other departments to meet CSR goals
• Oversees utility incentives for energy efficient adoption of technologies
• Leads data-gathering and synthesis for public reporting on Greenhouse Gas inventory
• Drives Facilities’ SBTi 2030 absolute goals with cost-neutral or better outcome with a procurement overseeing program implementation and setting and evaluating achievement of program goals.
  • Alternative energy strategy (solar, battery, fuel cells)
  • Oversees development of projects
  • Energy efficiency roll-out
• Scope 1,2,3 emissions baselining and defining pathways to reduction
• Producing sustainability disclosures aligned with frameworks (CDP, GRI, TCFD, SASB)
• Build relationships with external suppliers and partners, particularly electric utilities, local and regional governments, customers, and energy technology providers.
• Analyze, develop, maintain and work with third parties to develop and monitor analytics tools for portfolio analysis.
• Understanding of energy flow and how it relates to bottom line
• Drives scope 1 (diesel, refrigerants, and propane) data gathering and improves process
• Lead and manage all elements of Sustainability for Facilities Org (full sustainability scope) and establish programs/processes around its execution but not limited to:
  • Recycle/Waste management program across all BUs.
  • Other elements like energy efficiency, indoor air quality, water conversation, building material, input on sustainable design, and so on.

• Provide detailed fact-finding, research, and analysis on energy-related activities, particularly energy efficiency and utility-led customer programs. Direct will also support providing tactical support on the bill-pay system to ensure invoices, accruals, and training. If bandwidth allows, extends to other cost centers such as janitorial.
• Technical knowledge in electrical and mechanical systems and energy management solutions.
• Ability to analyze large amounts of complex data and produce actionable insights.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Working knowledge of interpreting lease documents
• Demonstrated organization skills
• Demonstrated customer service skills
• Embrace and operate within the core values Education and Experience
• 3 to 5 years working in the energy or energy efficiency industry
• Proven leadership abilities in a rapidly changing environment
• Proficiency in financial and project management Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
• Detail-oriented and have an ability to prioritize workload and delegate appropriate work assignments to staff
• Must be flexible to handle a wide variety of tasks and complete work in a timely fashion in a fast-paced environment
• Strong data entry skills in entering information in tracking systems/databases
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and written.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data and solve practical problems
• Business travel required (up to 30%, subject to fluctuation with business needs).
• Support all facilities business needs under this role or related roles.

Qualifications

• Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, finance, engineering disciplines, or business.
• 5+ years of experience in project management and development.
• 5+ years of experience in wholesale and retail power markets.

• Preferred Qualifications:

• Broad understanding of the power industry, with specific focus on the mechanics of power markets.
• Strong analytical capabilities to support review of utility tariffs, power contracts and power market fundamentals.
• Possess an entrepreneurial, self-directed spirit and proven track record of project execution.
• Team player capable of adapting to ambiguous environments with cross-group collaboration and problem-solving abilities.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communications (verbal and written) skills.
• Growth mindset with problem-solving skills.
• Business experience.
• Experience in working with energy and utility providers.
• Excellent creative thinking skills with emphasis on developing innovative solutions to solve complex problems that may not have a clear answer.
• MBA/post-graduate degree in relevant fields a plus, though experience in consulting and power/energy industries may substitute for relevant graduate education in this regard.