Business Development Manager - Economic Development

Power up a career with us. Our people are our greatest investments. 

Be the light to help us keep our customers connected. If you are interested in a career and not just a position, Tampa Electric is the place to be! Tampa Electric offers competitive pay, a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities for growth and development in a friendly and professional work environment. We embrace diversity and the inclusion of all. We believe our differences, unique perspectives and talents are our strengths and integral to the success of our company.

We’re honored to serve approximately 780,000 customers across West Central Florida and safely provide them with clean, affordable and reliable electricity. We’ve been doing it for more than 100 years, and there’s so much more ahead.

Join our team of energy experts as we build on that legacy through innovation, continued solar investments, cost-effective and sustainable energy solutions all while keeping top-notch customer service at the center of all we do. 

Tampa Electric is a subsidiary of Emera Inc., a family of energy companies which also includes TECO Peoples Gas and New Mexico Gas Company. Emera provides energy to residential and commercial customers in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean, with career opportunities available in all of these locations.

POSITION CONCEPT
The Business Development Mgr - Econ Dev is responsible for building effective relationships with local economic development organizations (“EDO’s”), administering activities associated with economic development, and directing and adhering to the economic development riders the company has filed with the Florida Public Service Commission. Responsible for assessing the physical readiness of a site – while making sure all stakeholders are aware of the process and aligned towards the same goals. Responsibility for leading the coordination of resources to respond to potential economic development opportunities within existing and new customer organizations and knowledgeably promote Tampa Electric Company’s: incentives, operations, rates, products, and services to cultivate economic development opportunities within Tampa Electric’s service area. Serves as the customer’s point of contact for interactions with the company, as well as the company’s point of contact for negotiations with the customer. Works to articulate Tampa Electric’s exemplary value proposition and solution offerings to ensure customer satisfaction while balancing the interest of the customer, regulatory agencies, local (EDO’s), and the company’s shareholders. Solicit and maintain favorable contacts with current and potential business customers and representatives of business customers seeking retention, expansion or locating in Tampa Electric’s service territory. Ensure customer satisfaction by understanding the customer’s energy needs, researching and responding to customer inquiries, and developing proposals to serve the business. Develop presentations, proposals, and complete negotiations with appropriate senior personnel. Partner with departments/functions to include Community Relations, New Construction, Communications & Marketing, Regulatory and various departments under Electric Delivery.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Lead and develop proposals and streamline company responses to customers, constituents, and economic development organizations. Enhance relationships by acting as customer’s primary point of contact for Tampa Electric Company (TEC) with industry expertise in our incentives, rates, tariff, construction process, programs and services. Provide written response on behalf of the Company to business customers and economic development organizations request for electric energy incentives for economic development via Economic Development Rider, Commercial Industrial Service Rider and Special Contracts. Prepare rate calculations and annual bill estimates.
• Prepare internal reports for large economic development projects. Work closely with economic development organizations to monitor, track and discuss projects and project statuses of all activity within the service area. Prepare and presents executive level reports as it relates to economic development projects, activities, and strategy. Work with EDO partners to promote the company's service area as an attractive location for new business expansion through targeted business recruitment missions and attendance at significant national meetings and conferences.
• Build relationships with corporate decision-makers, brokers, real-estate attorneys and other constituents that support economic development to determine customer’s primary needs. 
• Lead internal retail economic development strategy, which includes maintaining and enhancing company marketing material, websites, rate calculator and other material and tools required to support these customer projects. Coordinate monthly sign off and approval of EDR/CISR Discounts. Prepare the monthly economic development leadership meeting memo and facilitate the meeting and agenda. Maintain monthly reporting for economic development discounts and projects.
• Collaborate with community relations, regulatory, new construction, system planning and account management, by leading internal and customer meetings and driving success. Collaboratively, support and co-develop strategies and other research techniques to support EDOs in negotiating business development and retention activities. Support strategic alignment and internal reporting with all company team members that support EDO boards and events. 
• Maintain database/share-point of projects to track activities and enhance close rate of retaining existing customers and attracting new customers. Meet with and regularly update Load Forecasting and Project Management of current activity. Support department and company metrics and EDO metrics. Support technical training to internal team-members and external constituents. Support internal “rapid-response” teams to support large projects. Support teams to enhance the overall process and service to support business development and retention. Support regular meetings with internal and external key constituents that support economic development. Report key activity to leadership and supporting organizations, on a regular basis.
• Lead special projects assigned, including budgeting, reforecasting and completing interrogatory responses and surveys. Provide direct support to the Company’s Incident Command duties & responsibilities for storm duty and other emergency response activities. Lead small projects as directed by leadership. Lead quick response Teams and other internal Teams to support economic development projects and strategy.
• Lead, manage, recommend and coordinate company sponsored events, which portray Tampa Electric as the industry expert and bring value to the community. Includes hosting webinars, lunch-n-learn and other types of internal/external training events, which will also directly impact customer satisfaction in the community. Support market research efforts to identify market trends, issues and opportunities within assigned segments. Apply market intelligence to develop business partnerships to identify and aggressively capture opportunities for the expansion of sales or retention of existing business. This may include international travel such as the European Airshow; this includes collaboration with elected officials such as Florida’s Secretary of Commerce and Florida Governor as well as local government officials and Economic Development Organization Officers and Board Members. 

QUALIFICATIONS
Education 

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Marketing or business-related field.
• Preferred: Advanced degree in business or related field.

Licenses/Certifications: 

• Required: Valid driver’s license and use of reliable personal vehicle necessary to perform field activities anywhere in Tampa Electric service territory.
• Preferred:
  • Certified Energy Manager. Economic Development Certifications from accredited agencies. Current or prior member of the UEDA – Utility Economic Development Association. 
  • Active certification from the Association of Energy Engineers as a Certified Energy Manager or Business Energy Professional; OR taking & passing Business Energy Professional (BEP) exam within 18 months. 

Experience 

• Required: 4 years of experience working with commercial customers with some familiarity with commercial electric utility rates, programs and services.
• Preferred: 2 years utility program management experience with commercial programs and 2 years direct experience with economic development. 

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Required:

• Knowledge of Commercial tariff agreements and regulatory requirements for the accurate delivery of current economic development incentives, rates and related programs.
• Proficient competency in Microsoft Office Suite and computer skills. Emphasis on Microsoft Excel.
• Proficient in planning and organizing skills to administer the economic development strategy. 
• Above average communication skills. Proficient in performing analysis, writing responses to economic development organizations and customer requests for information. Deliver effective presentations to internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of industry programs, service and economic development techniques.
• Demonstrated negotiation skills in the areas of contract negotiation.
• Knowledge of electric utility infrastructure.
• Familiar with geographical maps. 

Preferred:

• Knowledge of Tampa Electric rates and riders.
• Experience of successful negotiation skills.
• Direct or indirect contract and/or program management.
• Knowledge of TEC Customer Experience programs and services, experience in economic development riders and demand side management programs. 

WORKING CONDITIONS
Driving up to 75% of the day; up to 75% spent in a combination of working with Customers, working outdoors and at potential customer sites, walking, bending, and climbing. Must also be available to attend after-hour events and meetings to support EDO’s and customers. Must have an updated passport or ability to obtain a passport for international travel.

TECO offers a competitive Benefits package!!

Competitive Salary *401k Savings plan w/ company matching * Pension plan * Paid time off* Paid Holiday time * Medical, Prescription Drug, & Dental Coverage *Tuition Assistance Program * Employee Assistance Program * Wellness Programs * On-site Fitness Centers * Bonus Plan and more!

STORM DUTY REQUIREMENTS....Please make sure to read below!!! Responding to storms will be considered a condition of employment.

TECO Energy and its companies serve a role in providing critical services to our community during an emergency. Team members are required to participate in the response/recovery activities related to emergencies/disasters to maintain service to our TECO Energy customers. Team members are required to work in their normal job duties or other assigned activities. Proper compensation will be made in accordance with the company's rules and procedures.

TECO Energy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

TECO Energy is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by law, except where physical or mental abilities are a bona fide occupational requirement and the individual is unable to perform the essential functions of the position with reasonable accommodations.

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities for all individuals, employment decisions at TECO Energy will be based on skills, knowledge, qualifications and abilities.

Pay Transparency Non-Discrimination Statement

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

ADA policy

It is the policy of TECO Energy to provide reasonable accommodation for all qualified disabled individuals who are employees and applicants for employment, unless it would cause undue hardship. The corporation will adhere to applicable federal and state laws, regulations and guidelines, including, but not limited to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and section 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1970s.

Application accommodations

Applicants may request reasonable accommodation in the application process five business days prior to the time accommodation is needed.

Pre-employment physical exams may be required for positions with bona fide job-related physical requirements regardless of disability.