Join us in leading the change!

EPE is seeking a dynamic and experienced Associate Director to lead and grow our Digital Transformation (DX) line of business. This individual will play a pivotal role in delivering high-impact digital and operational solutions for utility clients. The ideal candidate brings a unique blend of technical depth, utility industry knowledge, leadership capabilities, and business development acumen, and strategic thinking to deliver and grow our next-generation service offerings.

This is a high-visibility role requiring deep utility industry experience, strong project delivery capability, and the ability to guide clients through complex digital initiatives, from roadmap development to implementation oversight.

How you can make an impact:

Client Engagement & Delivery Leadership

• Lead complex digital transformation engagements across domains such as:
• Operations Optimization (Engineering workflows, dashboards, analytics, data mapping)
• Technology Strategy & Implementation (Roadmaps, software rationalization, pilots, integrations)
• GIS & Data Services (Modernization, migrations, visualizations)
• Change Management (Adoption, stakeholder engagement, organizational readiness)
• Lead ENER-i enablement at utilities and Independent System Operators:
• Conduct discovery workshops to map ENER-i functionality to client requirements.
• Own configuration, data ingestion, and API integration plans.
• Develop value cases and success metrics; create reference stories to accelerate market adoption.
• Define and document functional and non-functional requirements, technical architectures, and integration strategies across multi-vendor environments.
• Guide software selection, implementation, and rationalization projects, ensuring alignment with client goals and enterprise architecture standards.
• Oversee or contribute to data transfer, system integrations, and API-based solutions, with hands-on support when required.
• Use Python and other tools to assist with data cleaning, transformation, and automation when necessary to enable scalable client solutions.

Technical & Strategic Leadership

• Act as a technical lead and advisor, working with client IT, OT, and engineering teams to align transformation efforts with enterprise systems and architecture.
• Support current/future state assessments, gap analysis, and cost-benefit evaluations to inform roadmap and implementation plans.
• Provide oversight and input into technology pilots, solution design, testing, and implementation governance.
• Stay current on emerging technologies, utility digital trends, and integration best practices (DERMS, ADMS, AMI 2.0, cloud data platforms, edge computing).

Business Development

• Originate, qualify, and close DX opportunities, leveraging your network within IOUs, munis, co-ops, and ISOs.
• Support and lead RFP responses, solutioning, and proposal development, aligning technical services with client priorities.
• Drive adoption of the ENER‑i software platform by crafting persuasive RFP responses and solution proposals that tightly integrate the technology with EPE’s consulting, implementation, and change‑management services.
• Represent EPE at conferences, webinars, and standards working groups; publish thought leadership on digital grid topics.

Internal Growth & Mentoring

• Mentor and coach junior team members in technical and consulting skillsets.
• Collaborate across disciplines (engineering, data analytics, software) to build integrated offerings that maximize client value.

Bring your passion, here what’s needed:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years in the utility or energy sector including 5+ years in technical leadership, consulting, or solution‑architecture roles.
• Proven track record delivering enterprise IT/OT integrations (e.g., GIS, ADMS, DERMS, CIS, SCADA, data lakes) in regulated utility environments.
• Demonstrated ability to develop complete functional / non‑functional requirement sets for large‑scale software implementations.
• Hands‑on expertise with:
• Python or equivalent scripting for data transformation/automation.
• API design, data pipelines, ETL/ELT, and middleware orchestration.
• Cloud services (Azure, AWS) and modern data architectures.
• Experience leading product enablement or go‑to‑market efforts, ideally for utility software platforms.
• Exceptional communication skills with C‑suite, technical, and field stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Experience with cloud platforms (Azure, AWS) and data lakes/warehouses.
• Previous experience in a consulting or client-facing role, with proven business development contributions.
• Direct involvement in commercializing or selling software solutions (e.g., SaaS, subscription, enterprise licensing).
• Working knowledge of regulatory compliance frameworks (FERC 2222, NERC CIP, IEEE 2030.5).

Location: Applicants in proximity to Austin, TX or Champaign, IL preferred but will also consider remote applicants.

Travel: The ability to travel is required (up to 25%).

EPE is an equal opportunity/AA/Disability/Veteran employer. The EEO is the Law poster, and its supplement are available using the following links: EEOC is the Law Poster

If you are interested in applying for employment with EPE and need special assistance to apply for a posted position, please send an email to: applicationassistance@epeconsulting.com

Third-Party Recruiting Notification

EPE does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters. Any unsolicited third-party resumes forwarded by recruiters to EPE via our career page or to any of our managers or employees will be considered public information, may be treated as a direct application from the person identified in the resume, and will not be eligible for placement fee payment to the agency. EPE will not pay a fee to a third-party recruiter or agency without a previously signed third-party agreement and has not coordinated their recruiting activity with the appropriate member of the Talent Acquisition team. 

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