Integrated Resource Planning Director

Non-Union Position

Strategic Planning Staff; Portland, Oregon (US-OR)

Hybrid schedule available for Oregon & Washington residents.

Regular FT

Posting # 5206

About Us:

At NW Natural, we offer more than rewarding career opportunities and a vibrant, inclusive work culture. We invite you to join us in providing safe and reliable utility services and renewable energy to better the lives of the communities we serve. Our vision is to be the leader in service excellence, innovation and environmental stewardship for our customers, while building on our strengths as a trusted energy provider and environmental leader for our industry.

In addition to environmental stewardship, we’re also deeply committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at NW Natural. Our DEI Council started 21 years ago, and today we continue to foster a culture where all employees can experience a sense of belonging, shared purpose and possibility.

The Role:

This position will lead the integrated resource planning team composed of economists, data scientists, and other highly technical modeling expertise and will provide the technical and strategic leadership for all aspects of NW Natural’s integrated resource plan (IRP). This work incudes development of NW Natural’s IRP strategy, attain internal and external alignment of planning scenarios, and coordinate the integration of complex modeling and risk analyses to inform NW Natural’s resource investments.

This role will:

Oversee forecasting for future resource needs, identifying potential resource options including emerging technologies and low carbon fuels, the development of resource and portfolio costs, and ultimately the selection of the a resource portfolio that best balances costs and risks for NW Natural ratepayers.

Be responsible for leading the methodology, findings and insights needed to identify, analyzing, and supporting the most optimal resource plan to meet NW Natural’s decarbonization and reliability objectives whilst maintaining a focus on customer affordability.

Lead or oversee presentations and other communications to internal senior leadership, stakeholders including commission Staffs, and both the WUTC and OPUC commissions regarding all aspects of integrated resource planning.

Require a thought leader and a critical interface among our technical modeling team, our regulatory team and other operational business units. Day to Day:

Resource Planning: Leads the development of comprehensive integrated resource plans both strategic and tactical that align with the company's long-term objectives and regulatory requirements for both reliability and decarbonization needs. Designs overall analytic approach and evaluation strategy to inform tradeoffs of different options and opportunities. This position makes strategic IRP positioning recommendations to senior management and executives.

Team Leadership: Leads, supervises, mentors, and develops a team of economists, technical modelers, data scientist and project specialist. This position coordinates and manages cross functional teams for resource planning purposes as well as fosters a collaborative and high-performance work environment. Oversees the department's budget and ensures development plans for IRP Team members.

Data Analysis: Leads, guides, and reviews research and analysis conducted by the IRP team. Leads, guides, and reviews extensive quantitative and qualitative analyses (such as econometric models and forecasts) and shares insights and recommendations; Leads, guides and reviews, complex modeling and simulation exercises and analyzes results to evaluate risk and opportunities to develop recommendations. Responsible for the assessment of data needs and obtainment of data relevant to analytical needs for the team; Works with other parts of the organization or outside consultants to obtain costs and performance information for future resources for the purposes of considering inclusion in an IRP.

Stakeholder Engagement: Develops stakeholder engagement plans and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, to ensure alignment and compliance with industry standards and policies. Prepares and present detailed reports and presentations to senior management and regulatory agencies, highlighting key findings and recommendations. Conveys complex technical business issues to diverse audiences.

Innovation: Stay abreast of industry trends and technological advancements to incorporate innovative solutions into resource planning processes. Stays aware of other utility planning efforts including other IRPs/CEPs and participates in joint system planning activities.

Performs economic analysis and other special studies as needed.

Tracks status of energy system in the PNW.

Performs other duties as assigned by Manager.

Ability to work a flexible schedule to accommodate peak periods.

Supports Company’s commitment to a culture of safe work practices. Come on your first day with:

Masters degree required.

Minimum 10 years of experience statistical analysis, modeling and forecasting skills.

Must have experience building and utilizing econometric models.

Experience with statistical or data mining programming in R, SAS, SPSS, MatLab or Stata preferred.

Experience with IMPLAN, REMI, or other economic impact analysis software preferred but not required.

Experience in a regulated business environment preferred. Discipline or coursework and experience in accounting helpful but not required.

Knowledge of technical and economic characteristics of energy business strongly preferred. Experience with electric system planning preferred.

Must have experience managing complex projects across disciplines.

Must have advanced computer skills including advanced skills in Excel spreadsheet, Access data base and Word applications. Demonstrated skill and ability to produce effective written communication, including report preparation, and statistical documentation for a variety of audiences.

Excellent verbal skills, ability to apply group facilitation techniques and make group presentations.

Must be self-motivated and able to work independently to accomplish personal responsibilities.

What we offer:

Health & Wellness –

Rich health insurance benefits with competitive employer contribution

Free access to an online wellness resources platform

Work Life Balance -

Up to 23 Vacation Days

80 Hours of Sick Time

10 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays

Flexible work arrangements

3 weeks paid parental leave

Green Team / Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council / Safety Team / Women’s Network and many other Employee Resource Groups

1500 sq foot exercise facility and secure bike room

Financial -

Meaningful annual incentive bonus opportunity in addition to base salary

Competitive 401K company contribution and match

15% discount on NW Natural stock through Employee Stock Purchase Program

Up to $5250 a year in tuition reimbursement

Wellness incentive program

Discounts -

20% off natural gas service

Up to 30% discount at NW Natural Appliance Center

TriMet Pass for all HQ employees

Generous discounts with Verizon & AT&T Wireless

Base salary range: $132,250.00 - $195,600.00 per year, depending on qualifications

Annual Target Incentive: Director , 20.0% target

Targets are calculated using eligible earnings during plan year participation. Payout, if earned, is based on company and individual performance for each plan year and may range from 0% – 200% of target. Targets are subject to change in subsequent plan years. Must be employed by September 30 in order to receive any prorated payout.

https://www.nwnatural.com/about-us/the-company/careers

Deadline: 5/20/2025

Disclosure: We are a drug free workplace and we comply with Federal Drug Free Workplace Act and Department of Transportation regulations.

All applications must be submitted through NW Natural’s Electronic Application System. Resumes submitted via email, fax or mail will not be accepted in lieu of an electronic application.

NW Natural is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and embrace our candidates’ diversity and take affirmative action to employ and advance individuals without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, marital status, genetic information, and all other legally protected characteristics. We forbid discrimination and harassment in the workplace based on any protected status or characteristic. A criminal history is not an automatic bar to employment with NW Natural. Instead, we make individualized assessments regarding qualifications and backgrounds. NW Natural is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation as part of the application process, please contact us at employment@nwnatural.com or (971) 979-6341.

NW Natural does not accept unsolicited submissions or assistance from search firms for posted positions. Resumes submitted by search firms working under a valid and current written contract with NW Natural valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from NW Natural HR/Employment will be deemed the sole property of NW Natural. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by NW Natural as a result of the referral or through other means.