Manager-Regulatory Business-Utilities

Manager, Regulatory Business

Our client is seeking a remote Manager, Regulatory Business, under the direction of the Sr. Director Regulatory Business, prepares data in support of utility water/wastewater rate and regulatory filings. The position assumes a project manager role in regulatory filings, rate case filings, processes, and projects. Responsible for the implementation of regulatory strategy, reviewing, preparing, and submitting testimony in utility rate proceedings on complex ratemaking matters, and managing rate case team members from other Company groups, outside consultants, and attorneys.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities:

• Planning, preparation, and presentation of rate cases and regulatory filings.
• Communicates with all levels of management, corporate and business unit employees, regulators, and public officials.
• Interacts, builds internal relationships, and collaborates effectively with all levels of management, employees, regulators, and public officials.
• Develops creative solutions to day-to-day challenges as well as those of changing regulation.
• Prioritizes and manages several concurrent projects/cases and meets inflexible internal and external deadlines imposed by the Rates and Regulatory Department, Executive Staff and regulatory agencies.
• Demonstrates team leadership; mentoring of new/junior staff.
• Exercises judgement and decision-making abilities to achieve goals.
• Develops analysis associated with the decision to undertake a rate case filing through review of subsidiary financial performance, including analysis of the need and timing of its capital and operating plans.
• Gathers information from many different sources internally and externally and synthesizes such information into persuasive form for regulators.
• Prepares and reviews direct/rebuttal exhibits and testimony for water/wastewater utility rate cases and participates in the rate hearing and negotiation processes as the expert witness in broad rate making matters either through formal hearings or negotiated proceedings.
• Participates in the development of cross examination to develop the most effective argument in support of the Company's case or appeal and assists the attorney in preparation of briefs.
• Provides supervision to outside consultants and advises outside consultants in the preparation of evidence to be presented before regulatory bodies.
• Maintains consistent case and Company positions across cases; entails the review of exhibits, testimony, and interrogatory responses of Company witnesses and advising witnesses on Company positions.
• Develops and maintains a working relationship with regulatory agency staff, consultants, auditors and public advocates, as well as Company personnel who are supporting the regulatory activity.
• Summarizes utility rate case orders and regulatory pronouncements to develop an internal record, provide context, and identify required actions to be taken by the Company.
• Keeps abreast of activities in the utility rate setting process, statutory revisions, changes in Commission policies and other matters affecting the Company's regulatory operations.
• Maintains knowledge of Company policies, accounting systems, organization, and structure to manage the rate case process.
• Must be able to write reports, exhibits and testimony and prepare and deliver presentations.
• Keeps abreast of activities in the utility rate setting process, statutory revisions, changes in Commission policies and other matters affecting the Company's rate cases.

Qualifications

Education/Experience/Background:

• BA/BS in Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Finance or related field. Graduate degree and/or CPA preferred.
• 10+ years utility accounting or other relevant experience. Minimum 5 years' experience in rate setting regulatory procedures.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Exceptional leadership capabilities and experience building and leading teams.
• Expert-level understanding of the regulation of utilities, ratemaking and pricing, and regulatory finance.
• Demonstrated understanding the regulated utility business model, regulations, and rate making; must also be able to understand operations, engineering statistics and finance concepts.
• Judgement and decision-making abilities that facilitate the ability to achieve goals with a high degree of independence.
• Must possess excellent oral and written communication, project management, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and foster productive relationships with regulators and other key stakeholders.
• Highly effective at multitasking and managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly MS Excel and Word, as well as Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides); demonstrated ability to learn other technology platforms (e.g., Peoplesoft, PowerPlan) as needed.
• Ability to manage several concurrent projects and to meet inflexible internal and external deadlines.
• Consistently meets deadlines while maintaining quality and precision.
• Ability to plan, prepare and present rate cases.
• Ability to interact effectively with senior management including presentations, written communications, and internal relationship-building.
• Previous experience as an expert witness in a utility rate case proceeding with a demonstrated ability to communicate complex concepts in a manner that will be understood by a variety of audiences.
• Ability to travel to participate in regulatory proceedings, visit utility offices, and attend conferences.