Virtual Power Plant - Policy and Program Manager

State of New Jersey; New Jersey; On-site; USD 100,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

State of New Jersey is seeking a Virtual Power Plant Policy & Program Manager to lead the Division of Clean Energy's programs, directing strategy, performance metrics, and cross‑agency coordination for VPP deployments.

The role demands strong policy development and regulatory engagement with executive‑level communication to Commissioners, agencies, and stakeholders, ensuring projects meet schedules and budgets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Energy Systems, Public Policy, Economics or Business.
• Master’s degree preferred but not required.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in programs related to demand response and virtual power plants.

Responsibilities

• Manage the direction, coordination, implementation, and performance measurement of virtual power plant programs.
• Coordinate internal and external teams to implement programs and review them throughout the state.
• Advance program design considering regulatory clarity, public engagement, evaluation, and economic viability.
• Manage consultants and external technical advisors.
• Interact with Commissioners, legal staff, agencies, utilities, market participants and stakeholders.
• Monitor schedule and budget, managing changes to scope, schedule and project costs.

Skills

Demand response

Virtual power plants

Stakeholder management

Policy development

Regulatory liaison

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering

Energy Systems

Public Policy

Economics

Master's degree preferred

Job description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under the direction of the Deputy Director of Clean Energy or other supervisory official, the Virtual Power Plant Policy &

Program Manager will be responsible for managing the virtual power plant programs within the Division of Clean Energy.

WORK RESPONSIBILITIES

Manage the direction, coordination, implementation, and performance measurement of virtual power plant programs.

Coordinate internal and external teams to implement virtual power plant programs and their programmatic review throughout

the state. Advance the design of programs for virtual power plants, considering factors such as regulatory clarity, public

engagement, evaluation and measurement, and economic viability. Manage consultants and external technical advisors.

Remain aligned with strategy, commitments and goals of the Board of Public Utilities (BPU). Collaborate with complex teams

involving all relevant stakeholders to monitor and ensure that projects stay on schedule and budget. Work with relevant

stakeholders to maintain schedule and budget by managing changes to the project scope, schedule and project costs. Manage

and facilitiate engagement with individuals, organizations and businesses outside of the BPU to advance project objectives.

Coordinate and collaborate with partner agencies (i.e. EDA, DEP, etc.) to achieve project deliverables and meet organizational

timelines as well as monitoring and engaging in related projects and programs. Lead or participate in policy recommendations,

implementation of legislative and executive branch directives, technical review, grant proposal review and grant management,

market analysis, program oversight, budget assessment, Board Order and other regulatory document preparation and

presentation and the review and preparation of comments on relevant legislation as required. Interact regularly with

Commissioners, legal staff, representatives of other state agencies, utility representatives, market participants and other

stakeholders. Participate in internal and external stakeholder meetings.

REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Energy Systems,

Public Policy, Economics, Business or related technical field; Master’s degree preferred but not required.

EXPERIENCE: Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible experience in programs associated with demand response

and virtual power plants, utility regulation, energy markets, or public utility oversight. Experience interacting with regulatory

agencies or regional transmission organizations (e.g., PJM). Experience working in multidisciplinary teams and complex

regulatory proceedings.

Core Competencies

• Deep technical understanding of demand response and virtual power plants
• Strategic policy development and implementation
• Executive-level communication and stakeholder management
• High ethical standards and commitment to public service