[Hiring] Manager, Utility Engagement @Smart Electric Power Alliance

Role Description

The Manager, Utility Engagement supports the execution of SEPA’s utility engagement strategy through management of an assigned portfolio of utility members and prospects, driving engagement, retention, recruitment, and portfolio growth in alignment with organizational goals. Working in partnership with the Director, Utility Engagement, this role cultivates strategic relationships across executive, regulatory, operational, and programmatic functions while collaborating across SEPA to deliver a consistent, high-value member experience.

The Manager serves as the primary relationship manager for an assigned portfolio of utility accounts, developing and executing account engagement plans, identifying strategic opportunities, capturing member intelligence, and connecting members with SEPA programs, products, services, and expertise to maximize member value and organizational impact.

Responsibilities and Key Impact Areas

• Implement and execute SEPA’s membership strategy for utility members across an assigned portfolio of utility members and prospects in alignment with organizational priorities and established engagement approaches.
• Manage an assigned portfolio of Key, Major, and Standard utility accounts using differentiated engagement strategies based on member priorities, account needs, organizational objectives, and renewal considerations.
• Develop and execute account engagement plans that strengthen member relationships, increase engagement, support retention, and advance recruitment objectives.
• Execute onboarding and ongoing member journey activities to ensure a consistent, value-driven member experience.
• Establish and cultivate relationships across leadership, regulatory, operational, and programmatic levels within utility member organizations.
• Serve as a primary relationship lead for utility accounts and provide cross-functional support to align utility engagement with SEPA’s research, policy, working groups, event strategy, and communications initiatives.
• Coordinate account-level engagement strategies to support executive engagement, renewal success, and retention risk mitigation.
• Conduct regular check-ins and strategic touchpoints with members to assess satisfaction, identify engagement opportunities, support renewal success, and capture member intelligence.
• Monitor account engagement trends and identify opportunities to strengthen portfolio performance.
• Support revenue diversification through dues strategy execution and engagement-driven non-dues initiatives.
• Lead day-to-day recruitment activities for assigned utility prospects to strengthen portfolio balance across utility business models and regions.
• Represent SEPA at events, industry conferences, and executive convenings to strengthen relationships, visibility, and recruitment efforts.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional background.
• Minimum of five years of related background in utility engagement, membership, business development, or strategic account management.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain relationships within electric utilities or energy-sector organizations, grounded in utility industry knowledge and engagement experience.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing successful membership strategies.
• Ability to present value propositions and engage senior leaders and decision-makers effectively.
• Experience with and comfort using Salesforce or other customer relationship management software.
• Prior supervision of professional staff preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication, relationship management, strategic thinking, and project management capabilities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across teams with sound judgment and attention to detail.

Company Description

The Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to accelerating the transformation of the electric power system so that it delivers clean, affordable, and resilient energy for all. We work at the intersection of technology, policy, and programs, convening utilities, regulators, policymakers, technology providers, and advocates around the hardest questions of the energy transition.

• Nearly 1,000 member organizations turn to SEPA for trusted analysis, thought leadership, and the kind of neutral, collaborative space that is hard to find anywhere else in this industry.
• Guided by our 2025 to 2030 Strategic Plan, our work centers on three priorities:
• Grid: Strengthening and modernizing the distribution grid so that it is more flexible, resilient, and equitable.
• Growth: Enabling utilities and partners to meet rising demand cleanly, efficiently, and affordably.
• Globe: Sharing best practices and innovations from across the country and around the world so that progress moves faster everywhere.