(2027 Graduates) Senior Associate - Management Advisory (Energy Practice) - United States

About Charles River Associates

Charles River Associates is a leading global consulting firm that provides economic, financial, and business management expertise to major law firms, corporations and governments around the world. CRA advises clients on economic and financial matters pertaining to litigation and regulatory proceedings, and guides corporations through critical business strategy and performance-related issues. Since 1965, clients have engaged CRA for its combination of industry experience and rigorous, fact-based analysis that provide clients with clear, implementable solutions to complex business concerns.

CRA’s Energy Practice helps clients address the decisions shaping the future of the energy industry: how to meet growing electricity demand, invest in infrastructure, maintain reliable and affordable service, and respond to changes in markets, regulation, and technology. We work with utilities, investors, developers, large energy users, regulators, and other industry participants, combining commercial insight with economic analysis and technical expertise.

Our engagements span business strategy, resource and infrastructure planning, regulatory policy, market analysis, mergers and acquisitions, and litigation. We help clients evaluate growth opportunities, prioritize capital investments, improve operations, and manage risk. This includes advising on the expansion of data centers and other large energy users, investment in generation and networks, and the implications of emerging technologies for energy businesses and their customers.

Position Overview

Senior Associates in our Energy Practice work on teams that help clients make major strategic, investment, and operational decisions. They structure complex problems, conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses, and translate findings into clear recommendations for executives and other decision-makers.

The role offers exposure to diverse clients and challenges across the energy industry, with opportunities to take ownership of workstreams, contribute to client discussions, and work closely with senior experts. Successful candidates bring intellectual curiosity, strong analytical and communication skills, and an interest in understanding how energy businesses operate, compete, and invest.

Primary responsibilities for Senior Associates include:

• Contribute across all phases of client engagements, from defining key questions and conducting strategic, financial, market, and organizational analyses to developing recommendations and supporting implementation;
• Evaluate complex business challenges facing energy clients, translating data and research into clear insights and practical recommendations;
• Manage project workstreams, including work planning, coordination of junior team members, and delivery of high-quality analyses and client materials;
• Present findings and recommendations to mid- and senior-level clients, helping build consensus and inform decisions;
• Lead and coach junior consultants, providing direction, feedback, and opportunities to develop their skills;
• Support business development through proposal preparation and identification of opportunities to address client needs; and
• Contribute to practice development through thought leadership, development of analytical tools and methods, training, and recruiting.

Desired Qualifications

We welcome candidates with different combinations of academic training and professional experience. Strong candidates will bring analytical ability, sound judgment, and demonstrated energy industry experience.

• Currently pursuing an MBA, master’s degree, or PhD, with graduation expected in 2027. Relevant academic backgrounds include economics, engineering, finance, accounting, operations research, data science, and power systems;
• Typically three to five years of relevant professional experience before graduate study, or substantial applied research experience relevant to the energy industry;
• Demonstrated energy industry experience through professional roles, client engagements, or substantial applied research. Candidates should understand energy businesses, markets, infrastructure, or regulation and be able to connect that experience to the challenges our clients face;
• Ability to structure ambiguous problems, assess evidence, evaluate trade-offs, and develop practical recommendations;
• Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, including the ability to interpret data, critically assess assumptions, and connect findings to business decisions;
• Clear, persuasive written and verbal communication, with the ability to explain complex ideas to audiences with different levels of technical knowledge;
• Ability to take ownership of a workstream, exercise independent judgment, and manage priorities and deadlines; and
• A collaborative approach and the ability to guide junior colleagues, provide constructive feedback, and contribute to their development.

Additional experience in business strategy, performance improvement, investment analysis, transactions, regulatory proceedings, financial or power system modeling, optimization, data analytics, or programming is valuable. We assess these capabilities in the context of each candidate’s background and potential contribution to the team; modeling or programming experience is not required for every candidate.

To Apply

To be considered for a position in the United States, we require the following:

• Resume – please include personal email and telephone number;
• Cover letter – please describe your interest in CRA and how this role matches your goals.

If you are interested in applying for a position in Canada, please visit our Careers site to view and apply for available jobs.

Career Growth and Benefits 

• CRA’s robust skills development programs , including both formal and informal programs, encourage you to thrive as an individual and team member. Beginning with research and analysis skill building, training continues with technical training, presentation skills, internal seminars, and career mentoring and performance coaching from an assigned senior colleague. Additional leadership and collaboration opportunities exist through internal firm development activities.
• We offer a comprehensive total rewards program including a superior benefits package, wellness programming to support physical, mental, emotional and financial well-being, and in-house immigration support for foreign nationals and international business travelers.

Work Location Flexibility

CRA creates a work environment that enables our colleagues to benefit from being together in the office to best deliver on our promise of career growth, mentorship and inclusivity. At the same time, we recognize that individuals realize a range of benefits when working from home periodically. We currently expect that individuals spend at least 3 to 4 days a week working in the office (which may include traveling to another CRA office or to client meetings), with specific days determined in coordination with your practice or team.

Responsible AI Use in Recruiting

We believe that recruiting is fundamentally a human process, and we are committed to a hiring process that is fair, transparent, and people-focused.  While AI and other technology-enabled tools help our team operate more efficiently, we strive to provide every candidate with a personalized, thoughtful, and high-touch experience.  As CRA invests significant human effort to find qualified members for our teams, we expect candidates to invest corresponding human effort to learn about CRA, prepare thoughtful application materials, and engage with our interviewers.  To learn more about appropriate hiring manager, recruiting team, and candidate AI at CRA, please read here .   

Our Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity

Charles River Associates is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Salary and other compensation

A good-faith estimate of the annual base salary range for this position is $140,000 - $152,500. Starting salary within this range may vary based on factors such as education level, experience, skills, geographic location, market conditions, and other qualifications of the successful candidate. This position may be eligible for additional bonus incentive compensation.

CRA offers a comprehensive benefits package, subject to eligibility requirements, which includes: medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) retirement plan with employer match; life and disability insurance; paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays); paid parental leave; wellness programs and employee assistance resources; and commuter benefits.