Business Connections Manager

Manage business relationships with assigned and unassigned commercial and industrial customers to meet corporate business goals and needs. This position is responsible to maintain loyal and satisfied business customers vital to MidAmerican Energy Company's financial performance and customer service objectives. The business connections manager is the primary contact with the company's largest customers and other targeted industries. The position contributes directly to the corporate goal of achieving a high level of customer satisfaction and financial strength.

Develop and execute strategic plans for both unassigned and assigned key business accounts addressing issues such as billing, reliability, plant expansions or construction projects, and any product or service offered by MidAmerican. The strategic plans will demand the ability to cultivate and manage business relationships with large and small customer corporate managers by acting as the point of contact on behalf of MidAmerican. Customer contacts include CEO, CFO, plant managers, corporate energy managers, engineers, and other key managerial positions within the customer's organization. (20%) Lead teams to carry out strategies for providing exceptional customer service. Achieve overall key account customer satisfaction scores within the top 10% of our peer group as measured against competing utilities throughout the United States. Must have a thorough understanding of gas and electric delivery system design and operation. (20%) Independently review primary and secondary research to understand the customer's business processes, technologies, market strategies, and other competitive intelligence as needed to effectively interpret the role of energy in the success of their business. This research will demand engineering/technical skills to understand how various technologies are designed and operate. The business connections manager must transform this knowledge into strategic initiatives that will directly benefit MidAmerican and the customer. (15%) Maintain and enhance customer competitiveness by leading negotiation and execution of flexible pricing contracts, facility construction agreements and other agreements with business customers to retain and attract new business. Leverage business relationships and review feasibility and financial analysis to negotiate contract terms that will help achieve corporate earnings goals. (10%) Provide strategic insight to internal functional groups such as regulatory affairs, governmental affairs, legal, engineering, and operations on the impact that company business decisions might have on large accounts. This insight is often vital in rate cases, political positions, or other company decisions that may impact corporate earnings. Interaction with these functions of the company will occur continuously in the course of managing the business relationship between MidAmerican and the key accounts. The business relationship is extremely important in the event we ask for support from our key accounts and business customers to help initiative regulatory or political objectives that are mutually beneficial. (15%) Assist Business Advantage with providing an exceptional customer experience for small and medium commercial and industrial customer not assigned as needed. Assist as the primary point of contact with national and regional accounts with multiple business operating within MidAmerican’s service territory. (15%) Coordinate outage restoration, manage customer electrical switching request, and coordinate safety training for MidAmerican employees on customer property. Provide 24-hour contact availability for key accounts to handle emergencies and other direct customer needs. (5%) Provide technical input to assist in development of project planning. Perform additional responsibilities as requested or assigned.

Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, economics, or related field. (Typically six years of related, progressive work experience would be needed for candidates applying for this position who do not possess a bachelor's degree.) Four or more years related experience in the energy industry with extensive knowledge of utility system standards and design or responsibility for supervising operation of the system. The position requires a unique combination of technical skills combined with communication, strategic thinking, and project management skills. Technical expertise to understand design and operation of electric and gas delivery systems. Technical expertise to understand how energy will be employed in the industrial processes of key customers. Strategic decision-making ability and able to understand sophisticated financial analysis. Advanced critical thinking and analytical ability to conceptualize the relationship between processes and problems, and to provide appropriate solutions. Proven skills in project planning, program implementation, excellent written and verbal communication skills to reach a variety of internal/external customers. Effective analytical and problem-solving skills. Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks and projects concurrently.