We are seeking an experienced Associate Director – Customer Energy Solutions to lead strategic research, program evaluation, and advisory initiatives focused on energy efficiency, market transformation, and building electrification. The ideal candidate will have strong consulting experience, expertise in qualitative and mixed-methods research, and a proven ability to manage large-scale client engagements while delivering actionable insights that support energy transition initiatives.

In this leadership role, you will oversee multidisciplinary consulting teams, develop innovative research methodologies, manage client relationships, and deliver high-quality evaluation studies that influence utility programs, clean energy strategies, and customer adoption initiatives. You will collaborate with industry experts, technical specialists, policymakers, and business stakeholders to support sustainable energy solutions and long-term market transformation.

This position offers the opportunity to contribute to high-impact projects that accelerate clean energy adoption, improve customer energy programs, and shape the future of building electrification.

Key Responsibilities

Research & Program Evaluation

• Lead the design, execution, and delivery of energy research, market assessments, and program evaluation projects.
• Develop innovative research methodologies using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method approaches.
• Conduct process evaluations, impact evaluations, customer research, and market transformation studies.
• Assess the effectiveness of energy efficiency and building electrification programs.
• Translate research findings into practical recommendations that support client decision-making.

Customer Energy Solutions

• Evaluate customer energy programs to improve participation, adoption, and long-term program effectiveness.
• Analyze customer behavior, technology adoption, and market trends related to clean energy initiatives.
• Support utilities and energy organizations in developing customer-focused energy strategies.
• Identify opportunities to improve customer engagement and program performance.
• Recommend innovative approaches that accelerate building electrification and sustainable energy adoption.

Building Electrification & Market Transformation

• Lead consulting engagements focused on electrification technologies and market transformation initiatives.
• Evaluate customer adoption of electric heating, cooling, water heating, and related technologies.
• Assess emerging market trends, policy developments, and technology innovations.
• Support clients in designing scalable electrification programs.
• Provide strategic recommendations for long-term market growth and decarbonization objectives.

Client Relationship Management

• Build trusted relationships with utility providers, government agencies, regulatory organizations, and commercial clients.
• Understand client objectives and develop customized research and consulting solutions.
• Identify business opportunities and contribute to long-term client partnerships.
• Present research findings and strategic recommendations to executive stakeholders.
• Serve as a trusted advisor throughout project lifecycles.

Project Leadership

• Lead multidisciplinary consulting teams to successfully deliver complex client engagements.
• Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, staffing, and resource allocation.
• Ensure projects meet contractual requirements, quality standards, and delivery timelines.
• Monitor project risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Drive continuous improvement in consulting methodologies and project execution.

Qualitative Research

• Design and facilitate qualitative research studies including:
  
  • In-depth Interviews
  • Focus Groups
  • Stakeholder Consultations
  • Customer Experience Research
• Analyze qualitative data and identify recurring themes and actionable insights.
• Prepare comprehensive research reports and executive summaries.
• Ensure research follows industry best practices and ethical standards.

Quality Assurance & Reporting

• Review research analyses, reports, presentations, and client deliverables for accuracy and quality.
• Develop executive presentations that communicate complex findings clearly.
• Maintain high standards of documentation and research methodology.
• Support internal quality assurance frameworks and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
• Contribute to thought leadership and industry publications.

Leadership & Team Development

• Mentor and coach junior consultants and research professionals.
• Promote collaboration, innovation, and professional development across consulting teams.
• Provide technical guidance on research methodologies and evaluation frameworks.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and performance development activities.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and client excellence.

Required Skills

Energy Consulting

• Energy Program Evaluation
• Utility Consulting
• Customer Energy Programs
• Energy Efficiency
• Market Transformation
• Building Electrification
• Clean Energy Strategies
• Demand-Side Management (DSM)

Research & Evaluation

• Qualitative Research
• Mixed-Methods Research
• Quantitative Analysis
• Program Evaluation
• Process Evaluation
• Impact Evaluation
• Market Assessments
• Survey Research
• Thematic Analysis

Project Management

• Project Planning
• Budget Management
• Resource Planning
• Risk Management
• Stakeholder Management
• Client Relationship Management
• Quality Assurance
• Consulting Engagement Management

Data & Analytics

• Data Interpretation
• Statistical Analysis
• Customer Insights
• Market Research
• Performance Measurement
• Research Reporting
• Business Intelligence

Communication

• Executive Presentations
• Technical Writing
• Report Development
• Proposal Writing
• Client Advisory
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Workshop Facilitation

Professional Skills

• Strategic thinking and analytical problem-solving.
• Excellent leadership and mentoring capabilities.
• Strong organizational and decision-making skills.
• Outstanding communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple high-priority consulting projects.

Preferred Skills

• Experience working with electric utilities, energy regulators, or government agencies.
• Knowledge of energy policy, regulatory compliance, and sustainability initiatives.
• Experience with business development, proposal management, and client presentations.
• Familiarity with customer behavior research and market adoption studies.
• Experience presenting at industry conferences or contributing to research publications.
• Understanding of renewable energy technologies and decarbonization strategies.
• Exposure to ESG, climate policy, or energy transition programs.

Technologies & Tools

Research & Analytics

• Microsoft Excel
• SPSS
• SAS
• R
• Python (Preferred)
• Power BI
• Tableau

Survey & Research Platforms

• Qualtrics
• SurveyMonkey
• NVivo
• Dedoose
• MAXQDA

Collaboration

• Microsoft Office Suite
• Microsoft Teams
• SharePoint
• Jira
• Confluence

Project Management

• Microsoft Project
• Smartsheet
• Asana
• Monday.com

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Energy Management, Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Sustainability, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• Master’s degree in Energy Management, Environmental Engineering, Public Policy, Business Administration (MBA), Sustainability, Economics, or related fields.