Account Director- California Markets

Job Description

Job Description

About The Energy Authority

The Energy Authority is a public power-owned, nonprofit corporation with offices in Jacksonville, Florida, and Bellevue (Seattle), Washington. TEA provides public power utilities with access to advanced resources and technology systems so they can respond competitively in the changing energy markets. Through partnership with TEA, utilities benefit from an experienced organization that is singularly focused on deriving the maximum value of their assets from the market.

Join Our Team as an Account Director !

Build Relationships. Shape Energy Strategy. Deliver Client Success.

At The Energy Authority (TEA), we're passionate about helping public power organizations navigate the evolving energy industry through innovative market solutions and trusted partnerships. As our Account Director – California Markets, you'll strengthen client relationships, shape energy strategies, and drive business growth across California's wholesale energy markets.

You'll serve as a trusted advisor to clients, partnering with Trading, Analytics, and other TEA teams to optimize portfolios, navigate CAISO and EDAM developments, and deliver solutions that support long-term client success.

If you thrive on building relationships, solving complex challenges, and turning market insights into actionable strategies, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on public power.

Why You'll Love This Role

• Build lasting partnerships: Become a trusted advisor to public power utilities and other clients.
• Shape energy strategy: Develop customized portfolio management and procurement solutions.
• Drive business growth: Identify opportunities to expand services and develop new client relationships.
• Influence the industry: Stay ahead of California energy market and regulatory developments.
• Collaborate across TEA: Bring together experts to deliver integrated client solutions.

What You'll Do:

Client Strategy & Relationship Management

• Build strong client relationships and ensure seamless coordination across TEA's service teams.
• Understand client goals, assets, risk tolerance, and business needs to align portfolio management and analytics services.
• Partner with Trading and Analytics to develop strategies that optimize portfolios and manage risk.
• Communicate portfolio performance, market developments, and recommendations to client leadership and governing bodies.
• Educate clients on TEA services, risk management, hedging, analytics, and emerging opportunities.
• Identify opportunities to improve client satisfaction, communication, and service delivery.

California Energy Markets & Procurement

• Provide expertise on CAISO and EDAM market design, policy, and operations.
• Advise clients on energy hedging, clean energy procurement, Resource Adequacy, and long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs).
• Help clients navigate applicable regulatory requirements involving CAISO, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the California Energy Commission (CEC), and the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
• Monitor market trends, settlement processes, congestion rights, and Western regional developments, including EIM and SPP Markets+.
• Translate complex market changes into practical recommendations that support informed client decisions.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Lead cross-functional teams across Trading, Analytics, Credit & Risk, Settlements, and other TEA service areas.
• Coordinate client projects, establish clear responsibilities and timelines, and resolve issues affecting delivery.
• Oversee new client integration, including implementation plans, documentation, training, and progress reporting.
• Provide leadership with feedback on client needs, service quality, and opportunities for improvement.

Business Development & Commercial Growth

• Identify opportunities to expand services, develop new offerings, and grow revenue.
• Support regional marketing initiatives, client proposals, presentations, and industry events.
• Build relationships with prospective clients and support the sales process from initial engagement through closing.
• Manage commercial relationships, including service scope, pricing, fee negotiations, and contract changes.
• Partner with TEA leadership to evaluate service costs, pricing, and profitability.

Additional Responsibilities

• Travel regularly to client sites and industry events.
• Stay current on energy market trends, regulatory changes, and emerging technologies.
• Manage multiple projects and priorities to support client and organizational objectives.

What You'll Bring:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering, Economics, or a related field.
• 10+ years of related industry, customer service, or training experience.
• Extensive wholesale energy market experience, including power and natural gas market dynamics.
• Proven ability to build client relationships, communicate complex information, and collaborate across functions.
• Strong business acumen, strategic thinking, project management, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or other relevant advanced degree.
• Commercial experience in physical and financial commodity markets, including electricity, natural gas, and capacity.
• Experience managing the full business development lifecycle, from identifying opportunities through closing.
• Knowledge of CAISO and EDAM market operations, California procurement products and strategies, congestion revenue rights, and California compliance and regulatory requirements.
• Experience with internal operations at public power utilities and Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs)
• Familiarity with Western regional markets, including WECC renewable energy markets, carbon markets, the WECC transmission system and WECC generation asset management.
• Established relationships within the California energy market.

Open to Intermediate Experience Levels

While we're seeking an experienced, seasoned professional for the Account Director role, we're also open to candidates with fewer than 10 years of industry experience who demonstrate strong potential, relevant market knowledge, and relationship-building skills. Depending on qualifications and experience, candidates may be considered for a lower-level position with a corresponding title and compensation range.

Compensation: 

Our base salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Individual compensation is based on job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. The anticipated base salary range for this position is $119,212–$161,280, depending on the level at which the successful candidate is hired (mid or senior level). This position is also eligible for an annual target short-term incentive of 25% of base salary, based on corporate, team, and individual performance.

Benefits include paid time off beginning at the rate of 17 days per year, nine paid holidays, 401(a) employer contribution and 457(b) deferred compensation retirement savings plans, medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance, and health savings and flexible spending accounts.

In addition, we offer great work-life balance and company culture with exposure to clients and high visibility to senior executives. Learn new things every day – you will never be bored!

Ready to Make an Impact?

Bring your energy market expertise, commercial mindset, and relationship-building skills to TEA. Help us deliver innovative energy solutions that empower our clients and shape the future of public power in California.

TEA Values

TEA employees share a common sense of purpose. When TEA accomplishes its mission, the result is improved quality of life for the citizens and businesses of the communities our clients serve.

TEA employees exceed the expectations of those they serve, deliver services with the highest standards of fair, honest, and ethical behavior, set the standard for service and expertise in our industry, embody a spirit of collaboration, and embrace TEA’s founding entrepreneurial spirit by seizing opportunities to deliver value.

If you are self-motivated, driven to deliver excellence, and passionate about your career, TEA is the perfect place for you.

It’s YOUR Future. It’s OUR Future.