Manager, Rates and Electrification - Carbon-Free Buildings Program

Role Description

RMI is seeking a Manager who is motivated to shape the future of clean energy and efficiency in the U.S. buildings sector. If you are familiar with energy systems at the building level and the utility level, are prepared to engage in a wide range of activities from quantitative analysis to facilitation to regulatory engagement, we invite you to join our Buildings program.

RMI's Buildings Program works to transform residential and commercial buildings for energy efficiency, electrification, reduce embodied carbon, and support a low-carbon electric grid. Our team supports regulatory and policy change, innovative market strategies, and new technology development and adoption, all to reduce emissions while improving affordability, resilience, health, and economic outcomes.

This Manager will be responsible for our rate design analysis and research, and should be familiar with electric rate design in the U.S. utility sector. The role includes:

• Conceptual research and thought leadership regarding the role of advanced rate design in supporting electrification and a clean energy transition while improving energy affordability.
• Stakeholder engagement and technical assistance for state-specific or utility-specific engagements.

This position sits within RMI’s Buildings Program and offers an opportunity to integrate rates work across sector-specific work at RMI, including implications for transportation electrification, electric system affordability, and industrial electrification and demand flexibility.

This role will report to a Principal on the Buildings Program.

Core Responsibilities

• Thought leadership and project delivery:
  • Manage the long-term rates work stream for RMI, including developing strategic goals and tracking progress, planning and managing project execution and timelines, and delivering high quality outputs.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert and thought leader on rate design opportunities, ensuring technical rigor and feasibility of solutions.
  • Oversee the continued development, maintenance, and quality control of in-house analytical tools for rate analytics (built in Python and Excel), guiding junior staff on analytical modeling and method design.
  • Develop presentations, research reports, articles, webinars, and other materials for external audiences.
  • Synthesize complex technical and policy information into clear findings and actionable recommendations.
• Stakeholder engagement:
  • Facilitate working sessions with a mix of internal and external participants to build shared progress and knowledge.
  • Build and maintain relationships with industry partners, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and national thought leaders to support durable solutions across this range of actors.
• Donor and client support:
  • Contribute to grant reporting and progress tracking.
  • Support proposal development for both philanthropic and fee-for-service opportunities.
• People and project management:
  • Manage 1-3 junior staff, providing day-to-day guidance, technical coaching, and direct support for their professional growth.
  • Oversee project budgets, work plans, and staffing allocations across multiple projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, engineering, public policy, finance, or a related quantitative field.
• 6+ years of relevant professional experience (or an advanced degree plus 4+ years) in building decarbonization, utility regulation, electric rate design, or clean energy policy.
• Direct experience managing staff or leading project teams, with a demonstrated ability to mentor junior team members, delegate effectively, provide constructive feedback, and support their professional development.
• Demonstrated capability to oversee quantitative analysis—especially in electric rate design, utility cost-of-service, or building electrification economics—and translate complex technical results into actionable policy solutions.
• Proven track record of managing complex projects from scoping through final delivery, including budget, timeline, and quality control.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills, with a proven track record of creating high-impact deliverables (e.g., reports, policy briefs, slide decks) and presenting complex technical or policy concepts to non-technical external audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience engaging in state regulatory proceedings (e.g., public utility commissions) on innovative rate design, demand flexibility, or utility cost-of-service modeling.
• Experience (or strong interest) in planning, co-designing, and facilitating multi-stakeholder workshops, collaborative working groups, or interactive dialogue across diverse energy and building sector partners.
• Familiarity with commercial or residential real estate development, building energy performance standards, landlord-tenant utility dynamics, or public sector real estate portfolios.
• Experience supporting fee-for-service client relationships, scoping project proposals, or contributing to grant/proposal development for public or private sector entities.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision insurance.
• 403b retirement match with immediate vesting.
• Group life, AD&D, and short- and long-term disability.
• Optional voluntary life, AD&D and accident plans.
• Health savings or flexible spending accounts.
• Fertility and hormonal health support.
• Mental health and wellness support.
• Comprehensive leaves of absence (including generous parental leave).
• Generous paid time off and sick leave.
• Paid sabbatical leave.
• Regional holidays with at least one extended break in each geography.
• Work from home and home technology allowances.
• Learning & development opportunities (LinkedIn Learning and an annual individual professional development budget).
• Potential for bonuses and merit increases.
• Discount marketplace (gym memberships, pet insurance, etc.).
• Hybrid / remote work options.
• Team retreats and geographic meetups.
• Rewards and recognition programs.