Energy Innovation Program Consultant

APS (Arizona Public Service); Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

APS is seeking an Energy Innovation Program Consultant to develop and manage the programmatic aspects of key Energy Innovation and Technology initiatives. You will oversee budgets, plan work, track success indicators, and coordinate internal communications and training to ensure successful delivery.

The role requires coordinating across multiple business units, leading major projects, and maintaining technical expertise while supporting regulatory and planning activities to maximize value for

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, IT or related field with 8+ years in power/natural gas industry.
• Knowledge of emerging energy technologies (solar, energy storage, EVs, energy management).
• Experience developing business cases and leading cross-functional initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead management and operations of the Flex Solutions program, including vendor coordination and budget oversight.
• Monitor performance, gather customer feedback, and implement process improvements.
• Provide program guidance to management, manage risks, and coordinate with multiple business units.
• Develop project work plans, secure approvals, and track milestones.
• Analyze trends and regulatory impacts to maximize program value.
• Maintain relationships with stakeholders and communicate program status to leadership.
• Support regulatory and business planning activities and measure success indicators.
• Represent the company in forums and committees related to energy innovation.
• Extract value from technologies through concept testing and pilots.

Skills

Program management

Stakeholder coordination

Budget oversight

Trend analysis

Cross-functional coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, IT

High School/GED + 12 years experience

Master's degree

Job description

Summary

The Energy Innovation Program Consultant is responsible for developing and managing the programmatic aspects of key Energy Innovation and Technology initiatives and projects, both customer- and utility-focused. The role supports successful program delivery through budget oversight and reporting, project work plan implementation, key success indicator tracking and reporting, internal communication plans, training preparation and coordination, advanced technical assessments, and trend analysis. This position develops and maintains technical expertise and may serve as a lead on major projects and programs, coordinating across multiple business units to extract the highest value.

What Your Day Would Be Like

• Responsible for the overall management, performance, and continuous improvement of the Flex Solutions program, a customer-focused demand response and load flexibility program. Leads day-to-day program management and operations, including customer participation, vendor coordination, financial oversight, performance measurement, stakeholder coordination, and implementation of program processes to achieve customer, operational, and organizational objectives.
• Monitors program performance and customer experience, identifies opportunities to refine processes and improve participation and operational value, and implements enhancements that strengthen the program and its contribution to broader demand-side management and load flexibility objectives.
• Provides program expertise and recommendations to management, supports regulatory and business planning activities, manages program risks and issues, and coordinates with internal business units, customers, technology and service providers, and other stakeholders to ensure effective program delivery.

Who We're Looking For

• Someone who can develop and maintain technical expertise related to Energy Innovation and Technology initiatives.
• Experience managing program and project activities, including budgets, work plans, reporting, and success indicators.
• Ability to conduct advanced technical assessments and trend analysis.
• Strong ability to coordinate activities across multiple business units and manage major projects and programs.
• Ability to develop effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to report program status and provide management with advice on issues and opportunities.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelors' degree in Engineering, Science, Information Technology or related field and 8 years of prior relevant experience in the power and natural gas sectors with an understanding of regulatory, technical and business issues impacting the industry including renewables, distributed energy and grid technologies.
• In lieu of Bachelor's degree, High School/GED plus 12 years directly related experience in the power and natural gas sectors with an understanding of regulatory, technical and business issues impacting the industry including renewables, distributed energy and grid technologies.
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of one or more emerging energy technologies and related business models, such as solar, energy storage, electric vehicles, energy management software platforms etc.

Preferred Special Skills, Knowledge or Qualifications:

• Masters' degree in Engineering, Science, Finance or Business.
• Working knowledge of R&D, Innovation, creation of pilot programs and measurement, and strategic thinking.
• Ability to facilitate, document and align technical business requirements and functional specifications to support successful selection of technology vendors and execution of Point of Concept (POC) and technology programs of Moderate to High complexity.
• Strong analytical skills with demonstrated ability to research initiatives and stay current with industry trends and developments.
• Experience building complete and complex business cases using research and analysis. Able to present the case to leadership up to a vice president level.
• Strong communication and presentation skills and ability to convey complex/technical content in a coherent and compelling story for audiences with varying levels of technical knowledge and exert influence.
• Ability to establish relationships with multiple technology teams and provide subject-matter expertise and advice relevant to specific business needs.

Major Accountabilities

1) Research and identify emerging and innovative technology solutions to support key customer and utility-focused business initiatives. Develop and manage the programmatic aspects for related programs.

2) Develop and evaluate Point of Concept (POC) test plans and use cases to ensure full integration into program platform. Review and oversee execution of technical requirements as documented throughout the project.

3) In collaboration with lead project managers, develop and implement project work plans and secure buyoff and approval from cooperating departments. Regularly revise work plans to reflect current conditions and update as appropriate.

4) Provide oversight and direction to the teams performing research and analysis related to emerging technologies and impact to business.

5) Monitor and manage project budgets to maximize the benefit to ratepayers and the corporation by assuring projects are come in at or under budget. Provide input and support into internal reporting and communications on budget and progress related aspects.

6) Effectively interface and resolve project issues with departmental staff, other departments, executive management, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders to meet project requirements.

7) Maintain current knowledge of trends (technical, market, regulatory and political) and utilize this knowledge in order to maximize corporate benefits and minimize negative impacts.

8) Develop and maintain relationships with key local and state Energy Innovation stakeholders.

9) Participate as Company representative and technology expert in various forums, committees and working groups dealing with various Energy Innovation technical, policy and regulatory issues. Provide updates on industry and technology trends.

Key Level Differentiators:

• Works under minimal supervision
• Works to achieve operational targets with significant impact on departmental results
• Analyzes and resolves complex technical problems using experience, judgment and range of material/tools; may take a new perspective on existing solution
• Responsible for making improvements of processes, systems or products to enhance performance of the technical area
• Makes decisions within area of direct responsibility

Export Compliance / EEO Statement

This position may require access to and/or use of information subject to control under the Department of Energy's Part 810 Regulations (10 CFR Part 810), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730 through 774), or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter M Part 120) (collectively, 'U.S. Export Control Laws'). Therefore, some positions may require applicants to be a U.S. person, which is defined as a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), a Political Asylee, or a Refugee under the U.S. Export Control Laws. All applicants will be required to confirm their U.S. person or non-US person status. All information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws, and will be used in full compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors. For positions at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Stations (PVNGS) all openings will require applicants to be a U.S. person.

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates ('Pinnacle West') maintain a continuing policy of nondiscrimination in employment. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This policy of nondiscrimination shall include, but not be limited to, recruiting, hiring, promoting, compensating, reassigning, demoting, transferring, laying off, recalling, terminating employment, and training for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, disability, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other classification or characteristic protected by law.

For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to EEO is the Law poster. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of every person hired to work in the United States, refer to E-Verify poster. View the employee rights and responsibilities under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

In compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, the Company is committed to a work environment that is free from the effects of alcohol and controlled substances, and free from the abuse or inappropriate use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications. The Company requires employees to be subject to drug and alcohol testing that is job-related and consistent with business necessity, regulatory requirements and applicable laws.

Hybrid: Employees in hybrid roles work both in their home offices (virtually) and alongside their colleagues (in person).

In order for employees to build strong relationships and to promote meaningful in-person interactions, hybrid employees are expected to work about 40% of their time in-person at an APS or other (non-home office) location.

• Employees are expected to reside in Arizona (or New Mexico for Four Corners-based employees).
• Working from a home office requires adequate technology and an appropriate ergonomic set up.
• Role types are subject to change based on business need.