Senior Manager, Emerging Technology

About NEEA

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) is an alliance of more than 140 electric and natural gas utilities and energy efficiency organizations working on behalf of Northwest energy consumers to increase the adoption of energy-efficient products services and practices. Since 1997, the region has achieved the equivalent to enough energy to power more than 700,000 Northwest homes each year.

The alliance is powered by harnessing the energy, brainpower, and innovative thinking of motivated professionals like you. NEEA places a high value on diversity, and welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, identities and fields of expertise, with or without previous experience in the energy industry. Are you talented, committed, and motivated? If the answer is yes, we encourage you to apply to help us create a vibrant future for all Northwest communities.

Follow this link to our website and learn more about the organization.

This position is based in the Portland, OR metro area, with a hybrid work location. We are looking for candidates who can meet the requirement of working at least 2 days per week onsite at NEEA’s office location. Finalists must have eligibility to work in the US as NEEA is not able to provide VISA sponsorship or have remote work outside of the US.

Position Summary

Envision, enable and ensure functional excellence for the identification, development and ongoing management of energy efficient products, service and practices (Product Management). Responsible for ensuring that Product Management is fully integrated and supportive of NEEA’s Market Strategies and Program Management functions. The incumbent sets the strategic direction for the department and supervises the planning and execution of a multi-million annual budget, leading a staff of several product management professionals. This position is responsible for managing and deploying product management financial and human resources to achieve the business objectives of NEEA. Additionally, this person will provide technical and market guidance to the team; coaching on technology evaluation, best practices, tactics, etc. The incumbent identifies, develops and prioritizes opportunities for collaboration both within the region as well as extra-regionally. This position will collaborate and coordinate across the organization to achieve business results, prepare for future opportunities, and continuously improve NEEA's approach to Market Transformation.

The Senior Manager, Emerging Technology will share our deep commitment to diversity and inclusion and advancing practices, strategies and policies that achieve equitable outcomes for all.

Salary range: $145,000 - $155,000, exempt

• Salary is based on the applicants Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

The Typical Day May Include…

• Develop and implement long term and annual department plans to achieve NEEA’s business plan results, clearly articulating vision, goals, objectives, strategies, value proposition, and resource requirements for the Emerging Tech and Product Management function.
• Develop and internalize functional excellence in Product Management from concept identification through market adoption. Lead the Product Management team to promote organizational learning, identification and adoption of best practices in tools, methods, systems, practices and metrics, including identification and leverage of cross-program synergies.
• Oversee and coach staff on product management process and skills improvement, including team leadership, development and management of key product management deliverables, contracts and contract negotiations, budgets, risks, stakeholder engagement and overall business results.
• Plan and assign resources for Product management. Assesses workload and staff readiness for assignments.
• Work across the organization to support the efforts of product management. Collaborate with other departments to coordinate efforts, overcome obstacles, find collaborative solutions and assure smooth operations and task clarity in a matrix environment.
• Represent regional Emerging Technology interests in national forums as well as with other key organizations outside of the Northwest, to influence more efficient and effective ways to fill the Northwest’s energy efficiency pipeline.
• Represent Emerging Tech and Product Management on the Regional Emerging Technology advisory committee, and act as the central point of contact for funders regarding questions.
• Assure that appropriate objectives, goals and development plans are set for staff and that progress is tracked and deliverables are met.
• Assure timely and appropriate reporting and communication as required.
• Manage cost-center budgeting, forecasting and tracking for emerging technology project expenses, personnel expenses and other general and administrative costs.
• Assure that necessary time-tracking and reporting occurs to comply with funding and administrative requirements for portfolio work.

What Are You Good At?

A top performer in this role would be a visionary leader who excels in strategic planning and execution, ensuring alignment with NEEA’s business objectives. They would demonstrate exceptional expertise in product management across various energy efficiency segments, guiding their team from concept to program development while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and best practices. This individual would be adept at coaching and developing staff, managing key deliverables, leveraging teams’ technical strengths, and fostering growth across new products and technologies. Additionally, they’d navigate complex contract negotiations and budget management. This person would effectively allocate resources, assess team readiness, and collaborate across departments to overcome challenges and streamline operations. Representing regional interests on national platforms, they would influence energy efficiency advancements and act as a key liaison for stakeholders. Their leadership would ensure clear goal setting, progress tracking, and compliance with reporting requirements, all while maintaining meticulous oversight of team performance and development.

Your Experience, Education, and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree required, MBA or related advanced degree preferred. Academic course work in business, marketing or engineering preferred.
• Minimum 7 years related working experience, including at least 4 years product management and 4 years supervisory experience. Direct experience as manager in new product development and commercialization.
• Experience developing, implementing and managing business partnerships and corporate engagement strategies with manufacturers and supply chain participants.
• Experience in creating strategic plans, developing and managing to financial and operational plans and budgets.
• Experience in selecting and managing work through contractors.
• Technical knowledge of physics, thermodynamics, building science, controls, and industrial processes. End use knowledge of HVAC, lighting, motor driven systems, water heating, consumer products, and envelope is a plus.
• Experience managing staff in a rigorous discipline.
• Proven success as an experienced leader in researching, assessing, mapping and implementing strategic plans.
• Familiar with and competent in all concepts of product development and management, including market opportunity assessment, new product discovery, screening and ranking, concept development, assessment and validation, limited scale market testing, and full-scale product life-cycle management.
• Competent in collaboration, facilitation and engagement with a diverse stakeholder base.
• Understand and stay informed of marketplace characteristics, market dynamics and economic factors that influence markets. Ability to quickly comprehend NEEA’s portfolio of energy efficiency activities and their relevance to stakeholders and their energy efficiency programs and priorities.
• Proven success as a team builder, team player and a leader. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across multifunctional teams to build consensus and energize diverse groups and interests to reach common objectives.
• Strong interpersonal and judgment skills required to recognize politically charged issues and influence and negotiate with internal and external teams to resolve problems, implement plans and meet deadlines.

Highlights of NEEA’s Benefits:

• 90% of medical/dental premiums paid by NEEA, including for dependents
• Employer funded Health Savings Account
• 136 hours of PTO/year
• Automatic 6% retirement contribution with an additional 2% matching
• Flexible work environment, including hybrid work location and 9/80 schedule options
• Professional development opportunities

NEEA is an Equal Opportunity Employer