Senior Director, Public Utilities Fortnightly (PUF) Partnerships

Organization

The Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA), a 501(c)(3) organization with over 1,000 members, accelerates the transition to a clean, affordable, and resilient electricity system for all. SEPA engages with its diverse membership - including utilities, policymakers, regulators, and technology companies - through education, collaboration and convening to advance innovative policy, regulatory, and technology solutions. For more information, please visit www.sepapower.org.

Position

The Senior Director, PUF Partnerships, plays a critical role in stewarding PUF’s external relationships and operations. This role blends partnership management, strategic engagement, event coordination, and vendor oversight. The Senior Director is expected to maintain and build high-level relationships across utilities, regulators, associations, and industry partners. The ideal candidate brings both industry credibility and the ability to foster trusted, long-term relationships while also managing the operational backbone that supports PUF’s publications and convenings.

This position is highly visible in the utility sector and requires a candidate with strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and the ability to thrive in a relationship-driven and mission-aligned culture. This is not a sales role in the traditional sense; rather, it is a relationship-focused position that calls for influence, follow-through, and industry presence.

Responsibilities

Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management* + Serve as a primary relationship manager with member organizations, conference sponsors, special issue underwriters, and advertisers. + Represent PUF and SEPA at industry conferences such as DistribuTECH, NARUC, EEI, and others — proactively networking with senior leaders and decision-makers. + Deepen existing relationships and cultivate new ones across utilities, technology vendors, associations, and regulatory stakeholders. + Actively contribute to the continued integration of PUF within SEPA’s broader brand and relationship ecosystem. Event & Partnership Strategy* + Support the planning and execution of signature events, including Edison Congress, Fortnightly Top Innovators, and First Day Luncheons at NARUC National Meetings. + Partner with SEPA events and marketing teams to ensure successful execution and alignment with SEPA standards. + Maintain working relationships with event venues, securing contracts and ensuring event logistics align with strategic goals. + Collaborate with the Executive Editor to develop value-driven partnership offerings and support sponsorship conversations. Operational Oversight & Vendor Managemen*t + Manage key contractors and vendors, including PUF’s print house (Mosaic), digital publishing platform, website, subscription services, and video editors. + Maintain and oversee the integrity of PUF’s subscriber base, including monthly distribution coordination. + Coordinate the storage, retrieval, and preservation of PUF’s historical archives. + Ensure timely billing, fulfillment, and operational follow-through with sponsors, advertisers, and members. Cross-functional Collaboration* + Collaborate with SEPA's Communications, Events, Finance, and People Operations teams to support internal alignment and external delivery. + Provide mentorship and day-to-day collaboration to junior team members, including supporting their development in relationship management and event coordination. + Participate in SEPA’s broader strategic initiatives and contribute insights from the utility sector and partner community.

What’s Attractive to the Right Candidate?

+ Attitude: Exude responsiveness and friendliness + Excellence: Deliver high quality work that members rave about + Ownership: Take personal responsibility for SEPA’s success + Growth: Seek out and embrace opportunities to grow SEPA and yourself + Balance: Always examine all sides of an issue + Comradery: Work hard with the team and have fun with the team + Transparency: Communicate honestly, frequently, and openly

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

SEPA is committed to creating a diverse environment and is an equal opportunity employer. Employment is based on personal capabilities and qualifications. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected class as established by applicable law.

ADA Requirements and Disclaimer

This position description generally indicates the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act expected of an incumbent. This role requires the ability to use standard office equipment and learn new software applications as necessary. This is a largely sedentary role; however, some traveling may be required. This position description is not designed to cover a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of an incumbent. An incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.