Account Executive I

Northeast Ohio Gas; Strasburg (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Hope Utilities is seeking an Account Executive I to identify and pursue opportunities across Northeast Ohio and its subsidiaries to secure contracts and grow residential and commercial gas consumption.

You will build relationships with customers, develop proposals, negotiate terms, and promote programs that improve profitability while ensuring compliance with tariffs and service options. This role requires substantial travel and a valid driver's license.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in gas sales.
• Minimum 4 years of natural gas sales and marketing experience.

Responsibilities

• Make routine sales calls to prospective customers within service territory.
• Develop proposals and encourage customers to install natural gas equipment.
• Negotiate service contracts to maintain or grow revenue.
• Coordinate Gas Extension Model implementation for projects.
• Educate architecture/engineering community on natural gas benefits.
• Stay informed about industry trends and competitor pricing.
• Coordinate participation in public fairs and demonstrations.

Skills

Communication skills

Sales skills

Negotiation

Analytical thinking

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Engineering or Business or related field

4 years of experience in natural gas sales and marketing

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Job description

At Hope Utilities, you can build more than a career - you can make a difference. Our employees deliver essential services that improve the quality of life for the communities we serve, and we are dedicated to creating a workplace where every team member can thrive.

We foster a safe, inclusive, and high-performing culture that supports your growth, well-being, and success both at work and at home. We encourage fresh thinking, embrace new ideas, and empower employees to challenge conventional approaches. When you join Hope, you'll be part of a team that values innovation, celebrates achievements, and invests in helping you reach your full potential.

Position Summary

The purpose of this position is to identify and pursue opportunities for Northeast Ohio and all subsidiary companies to secure contractual commitments from new customers and increase natural gas consumption with existing residential and commercial customers. Through this position, the Company will ensure residential and commercial customers are informed about and comply with all applicable service options, tariffs, and rules. The ultimate goal is to maximize the profitability of new hookups and consumption of natural gas per meter, as well as avoiding unprofitable hookups.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Make routine sales calls with follow-ups to maintain and properly cover all prospective customers located within the Company’s service territory.
• Cultivate a trusting, long-term, and productive working relationship with residential and commercial customers; develop proposals and encourage these customers to specify and install natural gas equipment in new and existing facilities; and promote marketing programs and incentives that meet the needs of these customers and generate value to the company.
• Negotiate service contracts and agreements that maintain or grow revenue and or reduce the risk of revenue loss associated with customer’s contestable loads.
• Ensure accurate, effective, and efficient implementation of the Company’s Gas Extension Model for all Distribution Projects and MSA installations. Ensure all construction projects strictly adhere to the Company’s economic analysis criteria.
• Cultivate relationships and educate the architectural and engineering community in the features and benefits of using natural gas; conduct marketing and outreach programs to businesses to prepare them for the inception of natural gas.
• Stay abreast of the latest industry trends and technology as to market the best natural gas energy solutions in a growing competitive environment; and maintain an intimate knowledge of competitive energy costs (i.e. local electric rates, delivered cost of fuel oil, propane, etc.), competing marketing or promotional programs, and flexible pricing options offered by competitors.
• Proposes strategies to marketing staff to enhance the company’s competitive position in an existing or new market.
• Coordinate and participate in public fairs, displays, and demonstrations.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The team member in this role will:

• Serve as an Individual Contributor without supervisory responsibilities.
• Support and contribute towards team goals and objectives.

Education & Work Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Engineering or Business or related field is required. -OR-
• 4 years of experience in natural gas sales and marketing, with familiarity with both natural gas and competitive use applications and equipment

Required Skills & Abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills so to make persuasive presentations and written proposals on highly technical subject matters.
• Strong sales skills that demonstrate a good understanding of customer attitudes, needs, and how customers make purchasing decisions (i.e. operational needs, financial and payback requirements, budgeting cycles, technological preferences and biases, etc.) will promote the Company’s presence in the community.
• Understanding of how the company profits from the services provided and how revenues are impacted through negotiations on price and service terms
• Capacity to comprehend qualitative and quantitative methodologies used to evaluate the technical, economic and market feasibility of existing and new equipment and concepts; and being cognizant with services, tariff options, and programs is paramount to keeping abreast of an expanding enterprise.
• Having dynamic administrative skills; the ability to coordinate several assignments and accounts concurrently; and having knowledge in computing and mainframe applications
• Motivated, creative, and happy to work independently with minimal supervision. A proactive mentality with ability to organize and initiate projects will facilitate the daily agenda.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel is highly desirable.
• High attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem-solving

Physical Requirements

The ideal candidate must be able to complete the following physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation:

• Remain stationery for prolonged periods of time.
• Operate a computer and other office productivity machinery as necessary.
• Communicate with others to accurately exchange information and ideas.

WORK CONTEXT

• Travel for work-related purposes is expected to be 75% which includes some overnight visits to locations and industry events.
• Due to the varied and potentially remote work locations, the position requires possession of, and maintenance of a state issued driver’s license.
• Work locations may include the office, any operating location of the company, or field sites as needed.
• This is a full-time exempt salaried position.

Account Executive I

At Hope Utilities, we know that great people are the foundation of our success, and we’re committed to helping our employees thrive both at work and in life. That’s why we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and overall well-being. From medical, dental, and vision coverage to retirement savings with company matching contributions, we invest in your success every step of the way. Employees also enjoy paid time off, holidays, and leave programs that encourage work-life balance, along with valuable extras such as wellness resources, identity protection, legal benefits, and employee discounts. At Hope Utilities, you’ll find more than a job, you’ll find a workplace that values, supports, and invests in you.