Montana Work Locations: Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Helena, Great Falls or Missoula
South Dakota Work Locations: Aberdeen, Brookings, Huron, Mitchell or Sioux Falls.
Pay range: $55,600 to $97,200 starting annual base wage with career advancement opportunity up to $125,400 annualy.
We are seeking a highly analytical and detail-oriented Financial and Data Analyst to provide strategic financial and budget planning support, and performance analysis across multiple departments. This position partners closely with senior-level leaders to inform decision-making, drive operational efficiency, enhance customer experience and ensure alignment with organizational goals. The ideal candidate has strong financial acumen, experience in budgeting and forecasting, and the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights and lead benchmarking.
NorthWestern Energy is a fully regulated electric and natural gas utility serving Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. We employ over 1,600 amazing people and serve over 800,000 customers who are our neighbors in our communities. We are a top employer and offer competitive benefits, including:
- 401K with company match up to 4% and non-elective contribution up to 7%
- Healthcare and wellbeing programs, including dental and vision for you, your spouse and dependents, Health Savings Account (HSA), healthcare and dependent care flexible spending account (FSA)
- Employee Assistance Programs (Offering up to six free counseling sessions, per person, per issue, per year for employees, spouses and dependents to include financial health)
- Life Insurance (Company pays basic employee policy; spouse, dependent insurance also available)
- Continuing education reimbursement
- Competitive pay (Scheduled performance-based wage increases and annual incentive opportunities.)
- Paid company endorsed volunteer opportunities
- Paid parental leave
- Paid bereavement leave
- Paid training opportunities
- Paid time off starting on your first day, plus 11 paid holidays
Benefits may vary by position or as negotiated as part of a collective bargaining agreement.
- Budgeting & Forecasting
- Lead the development, consolidation, and analysis of annual budgets and financial forecasts across multiple departments
- Collaborate with senior leaders to monitor financial performance, identify variances, and recommend corrective actions
- Maintain budget models and forecasting tools to ensure accurate, timely, and transparent financial planning and budget performance forecasting
- Financial Analysis
- Lead or support the development of financial performance reviews, cost-benefit analyses, and ROI evaluations to support strategic initiatives
- Prepare and present financial reports and dashboards for senior leaders and department heads
- Identify trends, risks, and opportunities through variance analysis and financial modeling
- Data Analytics, Benchmarking & Reporting
- Lead and support the design and maintenance of key performance indicators (KPIs) and dashboards to monitor business metrics across multiple departments
- Use data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, Excel) to communicate financial, operational, customer and employee engagement insights
- Automate recurring reports and streamline data collection and validation processes
- Lead and support benchmarking initiatives by identifying best practices, analyzing industry trends, and comparing organizational performance to peer organizations to drive continuous improvement and strategic decision-making
- Utilizes artificial intelligence tools and techniques to automate data analysis, enhance forecasting accuracy, and uncover insights that inform strategic and operational decisions
- Cross-Functional Support
- Serve as a finance liaison across departments including Customer Care, Communications, Human Resources, Safety, Labor and Energy Efficiency
- Support strategic planning efforts by aligning financial and data insights with organizational priorities
- Provide ad hoc analysis and reporting in response to leadership requests
- All NorthWestern Energy employees are required to adhere to company safety standards and the Code of Business Conduct & Ethics
- Ensure self and others' actions are consistent with NorthWestern Energy's values, mission, and strategic business objectives
Am I right for this job? Here's the success profile:
- Bachelor's degree in: Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Analytics, or related field.
- 3+ years of experience in financial analysis, budget planning, or related role- Strong proficiency in Excel and financial modeling; experience with SAP and budgeting tools preferred
- Familiarity with data visualization tools such as Power BI or Tableau preferred or demonstrated ability to learn
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to build strong partnerships with senior leaders
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines and be self-guided in a fast-paced environment
- Strong attention to detail and critical thinking skills
- Get Into Energy - Energy Industry Fundamental 2.0 certification is a plus (click here to certify at no cost)
Posting Dates: August 21, 2025 through September 4, 2025
Telecommuting: Part-time Negotiable within NorthWestern Energy Service Territory
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal or state laws and statutes. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act, should you have a disability that requires assistance and/or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources department at 1-800-245-6977 or at job.inquiries@northwestern.com.