Analyst, Planning & Performance

Direct Energy Business; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Friday remote

Job summary

NRG Energy in Houston seeks a Business Analyst to bridge business and IT efforts for AI and automation initiatives. You will serve as the Product Owner for the Data & Insights AI product team, guiding a portfolio of AI projects from backlog through build with Scrum Masters and technical leads.

This role thrives in ambiguity, values relationship-building, and requires translating business needs into IT language while collaborating across the company. Hybrid work and leadership exposure provided.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of experience in business analysis or related roles.
• Basic understanding of AI concepts and automation tools; translate business needs into technical language.
• Strong curiosity and willingness to learn; comfortable navigating ambiguity.
• Excellent communication and facilitation; influence across teams.
• Experience with AI is valued, especially Microsoft Copilot.
• Scrum Product Owner certification is a plus or can be obtained on the job.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate discussions between business units to explore AI opportunities and alternatives.
• Gather and document requirements, processes, and business cases for AI initiatives.
• Support owners in understanding AI concepts and evaluating feasibility.
• Prioritize work as Product Owner for Data & Insights AI team.
• Coordinate next steps for approved initiatives, including budgeting.
• Prepare and deliver updates to leadership.

Skills

AI concepts

Product ownership

Agile/Scrum

Stakeholder facilitation

Communication

Tools

Microsoft Copilot

Job description

Date: Sep 2, 2026

Location: Houston, TX, US, 77010

Company: NRG

Welcome to the intersection of energy and home services. At NRG, we’re all about propelling the next generation of leaders forward. We are driven by our passion to create a smarter, cleaner and more connected future. We deliver innovative solutions that make our customers’ lives easier—helping them power, protect, and intelligently manage their homes and businesses. To do this, we need creative and talented people to join our company.

We offer a dynamic work environment and a unified and inclusive culture. NRG fosters a strong sense of belonging that leads to better collaboration and business performance. Our company programs are designed to help employees develop the skills they need for success now and in the future. In everything we do, we aim to champion our employees and bring value to our customers, investors and society.

More information is available at www.nrg.com. Connect with NRG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.

About The Role

This Business Analyst position is a unique opportunity to help shape how our organization approaches AI and automation. You’ll act as a bridge between business units, facilitating conversations, gathering requirements, and helping teams evaluate whether AI is the right solution—or if alternatives like automation or process improvement make more sense. Beyond scoping ideas, you’ll serve as the Product Owner for the Data & Insights AI product team, translating approved concepts into delivery-ready work and guiding a portfolio of AI projects from backlog through build alongside Scrum Masters, technical leads, and our Data & AI partners. This is a highly collaborative role for someone who thrives in ambiguity, loves learning, and enjoys building relationships across the company.

Key Attributes

• Curiosity & Growth Mindset: Always asking questions, eager to learn, and comfortable with not having all the answers.
• Adaptability: Able to navigate gray areas and help define the role as it evolves.
• Relationship Builder: Skilled at connecting with stakeholders and fostering trust.
• Political Savvy: Understands organizational dynamics and can work effectively within them.
• Confidence & Resourcefulness: Comfortable admitting what they don’t know and proactive in finding answers.
• Clear Communicator: Able to translate business needs into language IT understands and vice versa.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Facilitate discussions between business units to explore AI opportunities and alternative solutions (automation, process improvement).
• Gather and document requirements, processes, and business cases for AI-related initiatives.
• Support business owners in understanding AI concepts and evaluating feasibility.
• Help refine ideas to determine whether AI is the right solution or if other approaches are more suitable.
• Coordinate next steps for approved initiatives, including CAPEX/OPEX considerations and prioritization.
• Maintain a clear record of all initiatives, findings, and recommendations.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to multiple levels of leadership on proposed solutions and progress.
• Act as a liaison to ensure alignment between business needs and technical capabilities.
• Act as Product Owner for the Data & Insights AI product team, prioritizing the work so the team focuses on the highest-value projects first.
• Turn ideas into clear, actionable plans and partner with the delivery team to keep projects moving on schedule.
• Maintain a single, up-to-date view of all AI initiatives, tracking sponsors, use cases, approvals, estimated costs and benefits, and readiness to start.
• Guide initiatives through the AI intake and governance process, and help manage the team’s budget.
• Share regular updates with stakeholders and leadership, and support the TX AI Pathfinders program by helping shape ideas into ready-to-go business cases.

Qualifications

• Early-career professional with 2–5 years of experience in business analysis, product owner, project coordination, or similar roles.
• Basic understanding of AI concepts and automation tools; ability to translate business needs into technical language.
• Strong curiosity and willingness to learn; comfortable navigating ambiguity and evolving responsibilities.
• Excellent communication & facilitation skills; able to build relationships & influence across teams.
• Confidence in asking questions and resourcefulness in finding answers.
• Ability to present findings and recommendations clearly to leadership.
• Experience utilizing AI is highly valued, especially Microsoft Copilot.
• Familiarity with Agile/Scrum and product ownership (backlog management, sprint planning, writing user stories); a Scrum Product Owner certification (e.g., PSPO) is a plus or can be obtained on the job.
• Comfortable managing several concurrent workstreams and coordinating cross-functional technical teams, while keeping business stakeholders informed and aligned.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid work environment (Friday Remote)
• Some overtime required as special projects arise
• Must be able to work on projects individually as well as with a team
• Travel rare

Physical Requirements

• None

NRG Energy is committed to a drug and alcohol-free workplace. To the extent permitted by law and any applicable collective bargaining agreement, employees are subject to periodic random drug testing, and post-accident and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing.

EEO AA M/F/Protected Veteran Status/Disability.

Level, Title and/or Salary may be adjusted based on the applicant's experience or skills.

EEO is the Law Poster (The poster can be found at http://www.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf)

Official description on file with Talent.

We support the use of AI tools to help you prepare for your interview (e.g., practicing responses, researching the role, or refining your resume). However, during interviews and assessments, we expect responses to reflect your own thinking, experience, and communication. Use of AI to generate or read answers in real time, complete assessments, or misrepresent your qualifications is not permitted and may impact your candidacy.

Nearest Major Market:

Houston