Senior Energy Originator

Senior Energy Originator

Puget Sound Energy is on a mission to deliver on our clean energy and decarbonization goals with the first major milestone occurring by 2030 under the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA). In order to support this effort, PSE is seeking an experienced Senior Energy Originator to join our team to lead the origination and commercial negotiations for energy supply agreements for new renewable energy resources.

To increase PSE's CETA-mandated clean energy sources and address power capacity needs, PSE is enhancing our laser focus on this effort. This position will support the commercial resource acquisition function, particularly the request for proposals (RFP) process. The successful candidate will be a skilled negotiator, energy market expert, keen observer of transaction risk, and strong leader able to work effectively within a cross-functional team.

This role is critical to the success of PSE as it performs a key role in re-shaping how PSE generates power for its customers by selecting new technologies that PSE will rely upon for decades.

Note: this is a hybrid role based out of Bellevue, WA.

Overview of the Role The ideal candidate brings a unique combination of commercial acumen, proven negotiation experience, analytical rigor, and energy and utility industry knowledge. The candidate will evaluate risks of transactions, conduct due diligence, lead commercial negotiations of energy supply and ownership agreements, and develop recommendations for management, shepherding the transactions to closing.

As a PSE employee, the candidate also: Upholds the safety compliance standards inherent in PSE's operating and/or field procedures related to work responsibilities. Promotes and supports a culture of total safety. Demonstrates commitment to conduct business honestly, ethically and consistent with our core values and Code of Conduct. Ensures duties are performed in accordance with all regulatory compliance obligations.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial resource acquisition RFP (request for proposal) process and due diligence of assigned energy transactions. This process includes but is not limited to financial feasibility, pricing, credit risk, engineering, operations, environmental, legal, and real estate reviews.
• Oversee and lead negotiations of commercial deals and agreements critical to PSE's corporate growth strategy, such as ownership and development projects, purchase and sales agreements (PPAs, tolling agreements), O&M agreements, real estate agreements, interconnection agreements, and service agreements.
• Identify risks associated with transactions during the due diligence process and ensure contractual agreements include necessary risk mitigation terms and other relevant provisions.
• Manage relationships with energy project developers and owners.
• Ensure that all conditions are met related to deal closing and that transactions are successfully closed and set up for further monitoring.
• Support regulatory affairs in demonstrating prudence of transaction as needed, including preparing and providing testimony in Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) rate cases.
• Collaborate with a cross-functional team of legal, financial, technical, analytical, regulatory, and public affairs staff and manage external vendors and consultants.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, finance, economics, business administration, or an equivalent combination of education and/or work experience.
• Seven (7) years relevant work experience to include five (5) years of increasing responsibility in the utility, oil, gas or independent power sector, and experience in project development or commercial acquisitions.
• Experience developing, closing acquisitions, or negotiating power purchase agreements with two utility-scale projects of 50MW or greater.
• Lead originator and/or negotiator for at least two utility-scale transactions.
• Deep understanding of power markets and related economic principles.
• Strong business and financial analytical skills with capability to analyze a wide array of business challenges.
• Demonstrated experience and ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to contemporaneously document evaluation, due diligence, and negotiation initiatives for later prudence purposes.
• Ability to understand complex financial pro-formas and provide direction to analytical staff.

Desired Qualifications

• MBA or related post graduate degree.
• Experience with renewable energy or related energy technologies in the development, investment, asset monitoring, or utility space.

At PSE, we value our employees and provide them with opportunities to excel. We offer a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package. To learn more about why PSE is a great place to work, see our Employee Value Proposition, which highlights our commitment to employee growth, work-life balance, and meaningful career opportunities in the energy sector.

The pay range for this position is $143,300.00 - $238,600.00, and this position is eligible for annual goals based incentive bonuses.

PSE offers a suite of benefits to our employees. Employees are eligible for medical, dental, vision, basic life, and short- and long-term disability insurance. There are additional voluntary options of supplemental life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent daycare, and an Employee assistance program (EAP). For long term savings, PSE offers a 401(k) investment option and a cash balance retirement plan. Employees will also receive Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays throughout the calendar year. Detailed benefit overviews can be found on our Career page.

Families and businesses depend on PSE to provide the energy they need to pursue their dreams. Our steadfast commitment to serving Washington communities with safe, dependable and efficient energy started in 1873. Today we're building the Northwest's energy future through efforts like our award winning energy efficiency programs and our leadership in renewable energy.

Puget Sound Energy is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status or presence of a disability that with or without reasonable accommodation does not prevent performance of the essential functions of the job, or any other category prohibited by local, state or federal law.

Should you have a disability that requires assistance and/or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources Staffing department at jobs@pse.com or 425-462-3017.