Job Details

Manager, Energy Procurement - Oahu

The P IU ENERGY PROCUREMENT Department of the P RENEWABLE ACQUISITION Division at Hawaiian Electric Company has a management vacancy available. (Role: Manager Supervisor)

JOB FUNCTION:

Provides policy direction and supervision in designing and implementing processes and procedures for the purchase of energy, capacity, storage, and non-wires alternatives from independent power producers and other third parties via multiple procurement mechanisms including competitive bidding and bi-lateral proposals. Serves as the lead advisor to the Division Director and other managers and executives throughout the company for policies and strategies pertaining to energy, capacity, storage, and non-wires alternatives procurement mechanisms, and other related activities. Key contributor to developing and implementing community engagement efforts to ensure the success of the Hawaiian Electric Companies' long-term Clean Energy and Decarbonization goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Supports executives and managers in the development and execution of strategies and plans to aggressively acquire energy, capacity, non-wires alternatives, and other grid services in support of Hawaiian Electric Companies' Clean Energy, Decarbonization, Reliability and Resilience Goals, while maintaining electrical system reliability and at reasonable costs to electric customers.

Leads the development and implementation of policies and processes for the selection of energy, capacity, storage, and non-wires alternative contracts. Promotes disciplined, systematic, and transparent procurement mechanisms. Facilitates procurement process improvement efforts within the Division as well as with other involved departments and divisions in the Hawaiian Electric Companies, including in operations, engineering, planning, community relations, and regulatory affairs.

Evaluates and selects large complex or critical energy, capacity, storage, and non-wires alternative contract agreements and/or policies with Independent Power Producers, Cogenerators, Qualifying Facilities, and other entities for each service territory. Serves as the expert advisor to senior management on energy, capacity, storage, and non-wire alternative procurement issues, including technical and financial models and analysis. Must remain current in the latest trends in emerging technologies. Directs avoided costs computations, performance criteria studies, interconnection requirements studies, and recommends contract terms related to energy contract proposals.

Develops and implements processes and policies concerning energy procurement mechanisms including competitive bidding and bi-lateral negotiations and continuously reviews for efficiency and consistency with Company goals and objectives. Works closely with various divisions and departments throughout the companies, including in Planning and Technology, Energy Delivery, System Operation, Power Supply, Regulatory, Government and Community Relations, and Legal to optimize processes and the use of internal staff and external resources.

Provides leadership to the Energy Procurement Department. Coaches and mentors Energy Contract Managers. Develops, implements, and administers policies and procedures to support the Department's mission and departmental and corporate goals and strategies. Supervises and administers department personnel matters including performance appraisals, interviews, employee guidance, recognition, and support.

Ensures sufficient trained staff and resources are made available to effectively meet division, department, and corporate objectives. Leads and supports staff in their professional development, and encourages a culture of high performance, teamwork, proactive communications, and initiative. Develops internal goals and metrics and regularly communicates with staff and management on progress towards goals. Provides technical assistance to other departments, subsidiaries, and consultants.

Substitutes for Renewable Acquisition Director in his/her absence. Serves as a backup and resource to the Energy Contract Management and Energy Contract Administration teams for executed power purchase contracts between Independent Power Producers, Cogenerators, and Qualifying Facilities.

Serves on major task forces and standing committees as the subject matter expert on policy-level issues concerning energy procurement. Represents the company in regulatory and other proceedings concerning power procurement before external agencies and groups such as the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission and the Hawaii State Legislature, as part of the proceedings such as the Integrated Grid Planning docket and Performance Based Regulation Docket. Represents the company at various community events and community outreach meetings, preparing and giving presentations regarding the Company's procurement efforts. Supports the Director of Renewable Acquisition by preparing presentations and testimony to be delivered by the Director.

Creates, develops, directs, and/or delivers expert testimony, responses to information requests, presentations, and other assignments supporting energy procurement before various external agencies such as the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission ("PUC") and the Hawaii State Legislature. Reviews and drafts testimony on legislative bills and provides oral testimony before the Hawaii State Legislature and various city councils and agencies regarding the same.

Participates in Company emergency response activities as assigned, including any activities required to prepare for such emergency response.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge Requirements:

Thorough knowledge of procurement, engineering, project management, business, accounting, legal contracting, and/or finance principles and theories normally acquired through graduate level college coursework and equivalent experience. Understanding of the Hawaii electric utility industry, particularly the operation of the power generation, transmission, and distribution systems of the Hawaiian Electric Companies. Thorough understanding of the energy policy goals and objectives of the Hawaiian Electric Companies, the State of Hawaii, and other key external stakeholders.

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Planning, or other related field is required; A Law Degree, Master of Science in an energy related field or MBA degree is preferred. Understanding of federal and state electric utility regulatory frameworks, especially Hawaii Public Utilities Commission policies and procedures. Understanding of the Hawaiian Electric Companies' tariffs and programs pertaining to the purchase of power and ancillary services, interconnection of generators, competitive bidding, and mechanisms for utility cost recovery.

Basic knowledge of utility generation resource planning and transmission planning methodologies. Strong understanding of generation interconnection considerations and constraints. Strong understanding of the development of independent power generation, storage, and non-wires alternative projects, including financing, alternative business models, permitting, design, construction, operations, and maintenance. Strong knowledge about current state/national/international market conditions, including financial models and accounting treatment, for renewable energy, storage, and non-wires alternative project development.

Strong knowledge of power generation technologies, both renewable and fossil fueled, and their applications at both the utility scale and distributed generation levels. Working knowledge of their performance attributes, costs, and grid integration issues. Basic knowledge of utility economic analysis and accounting methods including, but not limited to, avoided cost calculations, derivation of financial parameters, calculation of revenue requirements, and the ability to perform various economic analyses.

Strong understanding of ancillary services, methods for valuation of such services, and the functioning of ancillary services markets. Working knowledge of budgeting/forecast process. Working knowledge of personal computers and/or mainframe systems, and related software applications to include word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and data bases.

Skills Requirements:

Ability to work independently and manage time effectively. Ability to make mature, experienced business and legal judgments and apply strategic thinking; ability to make quick decisions on multiple topics on routine basis. Demonstrated supervisory/leadership skills including excellent written, oral, listening, and presentation/platform communication skills/conflict resolution skills; the ability to use tact, courtesy, and discretion while working effectively with a variety of individuals, occasionally dealing with sensitive, difficult, or confrontational issues; the willingness and ability to train. Strong negotiating, influencing, and persuading techniques.

Demonstrated and creative negotiation skills in complex technical and financial renewable energy generation projects. Demonstrated extensive analytical and administrative skills required for such tasks as preparing, monitoring and analyzing forecasts; preparing performance appraisals and conducting interviews; carrying out company/department policies and procedures.

Analytical, organizational, and conceptual skills to handle various complex ideas, projects, and programs.

Demonstrated strong Project Management proficiency by utilizing analytical, organizational, and conceptual skills to handle various complex ideas, projects, and programs.

Demonstrated ability to remain flexible in a demanding work environment and adapt to rapidly changing priorities.

Must have or be able to qualify for a State of Hawaii driver's license. Must meet the standards for driving positions stated in the Hiring Standards for Driving Positions policy. These standards may be adjusted periodically to meet business and safety objectives.

Must be able to travel.

Experience Requirements:

Multiple (5 to 7 years) experience in evaluating and negotiating contracts.

Multiple (5 to 7 years) experience in procurement, preferably in procurement of energy, capacity, storage, and/or non-wires alternatives.

Prior supervisory experience preferred.

Program or project development experience, (demonstrating ability to conceptualize a program or project, develop and lead a work team towards completion of the program or project, and complete program or project successfully).

Experience in working with various technical groups, business market, and government agencies on the local, state, and federal level.

State of Hawaii Professional Engineer License in relevant discipline, Master of Business Administration, or Law Degree, preferred.