Director
E Source, Des Moines, IA, United States
We seek an experienced Director to lead project teams in the design and execution of research and evaluation studies that support the clean energy transition.
E Source is a research, data and analytics, and technology‑focused professional services firm serving the utility industry in North America. We help utilities better serve their customers, modernize and optimize their grids, and apply operating best practices and technologies to manage their businesses more effectively. Headquartered in Texas, we have more than 450 employees across the US and Canada. Learn more at www.esource.com.
The Director of Customer Energy Solutions is responsible for crafting research and analytical solutions for clients in collaboration with subject matter experts and technical and consulting staff. This role requires a strong mix of research leadership and project management expertise, with the ability to lead complex scopes of work from design through delivery and business development. The Director applies strong problem‑solving, communication, team leadership, and technical skills to support innovation in client service delivery and internal process improvements.
In this role, you will:
Own and manage client relationships by identifying and understanding client needs, risks, and opportunities, and developing strategies and solutions to address them.
Develop strategic research and evaluation solutions that adhere to industry best practices and leverage innovations in research methodology.
Manage and contribute to the execution of large and/or complex research, evaluation, and advisory projects to ensure client satisfaction.
Ensure project scopes, schedules, and budgets are executed successfully and in alignment with contract requirements.
Lead multidisciplinary teams to deliver projects that meet defined objectives and client expectations.
Communicate complex technical content, including research methodology and findings, to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
Ensure the quality of client deliverables by establishing appropriate quality‑assurance processes and staffing approaches.
Conduct quality control reviews of analyses, reports, presentations, and memos to ensure findings are clear, logical, and actionable.
Serve as the lead author of client‑facing memos, reports, and presentations.
Supervise up to six direct reports and associated indirect reports.
Mentor mid‑level consulting staff to support professional growth and advancement.
Provide internal and external thought leadership through presentations, publications, and participation in company and industry events.
Translate business needs and goals into well‑defined projects and proposals.
Client delivery and research leadership
Manage research and evaluation contracts for California‑based government and public‑sector organizations, including impact evaluations, process evaluations, and market assessments.
Work with clients to define research objectives and design scopes of work aligned with regulatory and program goals.
Serve as Lead Investigator on projects, overseeing data collection, analytical tasks, and client deliverables.
Coordinate internal resources to execute all stages of project scopes, from study design through final delivery.
Business development
Support the company’s business development efforts by:
Leading and contributing to proposals for new project opportunities.
Designing and championing research and evaluation plans, including data collection and analytical methods, staffing approaches, budgets, and timelines.
Participating in finalist and “best and final” presentations.
Cultivating relationships with current and prospective clients in key business areas.
Monitoring the California energy industry landscape to identify emerging needs and new opportunities.
Build E Source’s industry presence by attending and presenting at industry events, with an emphasis on California.
You're likely a great fit if you:
Are comfortable navigating ambiguity and asking smart questions
Can synthesize complex information into clear recommendations
Work well across disciplines and perspectives
Care about quality, clarity, and real‑world impact
Have a proven ability to lead research and evaluation studies from design through delivery
Bring strong project management skills, including managing scopes, schedules, budgets, and quality assurance
Have experience owning client relationships and serving as a trusted advisor
Can communicate research methodology and findings clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences
And even better if you:
Have experience working with or around utilities, energy, consulting, research, or adjacent fields
Have led or supported research and evaluation work for California‑based government or public‑sector organizations
Are familiar with impact evaluations, process evaluations, and market assessments
Have presented at industry conferences or contributed to industry thought leadership
Bring awareness of California energy policy, regulatory frameworks, or program environments
Experience and Skills to Qualify Include:
Approximately 10+ years of professional experience, with at least 8 years designing and implementing energy research and evaluation projects
Demonstrated experience leading studies related to:
Energy efficiency programs
Renewable energy programs
Demand‑response programs
Clean transportation
Building electrification
Experience serving as a Lead Investigator or project lead, overseeing data collection, analysis, and client deliverables
Experience supporting business development efforts, including proposal development, scope design, and finalist presentations
Bachelor’s degree in the social sciences, engineering, or a related field
What you can expect
Excellent insurance options, including medical, dental, and vision plans; company‑paid life insurance; company‑paid long‑ and short‑term disability insurance; medical and dependent‑care flexible spending plans, and paid parental leave.
A flexible time off (FTO) policy that provides paid time away from work, approved by your manager, while ensuring business needs, workload commitments, and appropriate coverage are maintained.
A 401(k)/RRSP plan with a 3% employer match.
The budgeted salary for this position is $140,000-$175,000 USD plus annual bonus. Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience.
This role will be remote with occasional travel up to 6 times a year.
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the US or Canada. We’re unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas or Labour Market Impact Assessments (Cdn) at this time.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
E Source is a research, data and analytics, and technology‑focused professional services firm serving the utility industry in North America. We help utilities better serve their customers, modernize and optimize their grids, and apply operating best practices and technologies to manage their businesses more effectively. Headquartered in Texas, we have more than 450 employees across the US and Canada. Learn more at www.esource.com.
The Director of Customer Energy Solutions is responsible for crafting research and analytical solutions for clients in collaboration with subject matter experts and technical and consulting staff. This role requires a strong mix of research leadership and project management expertise, with the ability to lead complex scopes of work from design through delivery and business development. The Director applies strong problem‑solving, communication, team leadership, and technical skills to support innovation in client service delivery and internal process improvements.
In this role, you will:
Own and manage client relationships by identifying and understanding client needs, risks, and opportunities, and developing strategies and solutions to address them.
Develop strategic research and evaluation solutions that adhere to industry best practices and leverage innovations in research methodology.
Manage and contribute to the execution of large and/or complex research, evaluation, and advisory projects to ensure client satisfaction.
Ensure project scopes, schedules, and budgets are executed successfully and in alignment with contract requirements.
Lead multidisciplinary teams to deliver projects that meet defined objectives and client expectations.
Communicate complex technical content, including research methodology and findings, to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
Ensure the quality of client deliverables by establishing appropriate quality‑assurance processes and staffing approaches.
Conduct quality control reviews of analyses, reports, presentations, and memos to ensure findings are clear, logical, and actionable.
Serve as the lead author of client‑facing memos, reports, and presentations.
Supervise up to six direct reports and associated indirect reports.
Mentor mid‑level consulting staff to support professional growth and advancement.
Provide internal and external thought leadership through presentations, publications, and participation in company and industry events.
Translate business needs and goals into well‑defined projects and proposals.
Client delivery and research leadership
Manage research and evaluation contracts for California‑based government and public‑sector organizations, including impact evaluations, process evaluations, and market assessments.
Work with clients to define research objectives and design scopes of work aligned with regulatory and program goals.
Serve as Lead Investigator on projects, overseeing data collection, analytical tasks, and client deliverables.
Coordinate internal resources to execute all stages of project scopes, from study design through final delivery.
Business development
Support the company’s business development efforts by:
Leading and contributing to proposals for new project opportunities.
Designing and championing research and evaluation plans, including data collection and analytical methods, staffing approaches, budgets, and timelines.
Participating in finalist and “best and final” presentations.
Cultivating relationships with current and prospective clients in key business areas.
Monitoring the California energy industry landscape to identify emerging needs and new opportunities.
Build E Source’s industry presence by attending and presenting at industry events, with an emphasis on California.
You're likely a great fit if you:
Are comfortable navigating ambiguity and asking smart questions
Can synthesize complex information into clear recommendations
Work well across disciplines and perspectives
Care about quality, clarity, and real‑world impact
Have a proven ability to lead research and evaluation studies from design through delivery
Bring strong project management skills, including managing scopes, schedules, budgets, and quality assurance
Have experience owning client relationships and serving as a trusted advisor
Can communicate research methodology and findings clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences
And even better if you:
Have experience working with or around utilities, energy, consulting, research, or adjacent fields
Have led or supported research and evaluation work for California‑based government or public‑sector organizations
Are familiar with impact evaluations, process evaluations, and market assessments
Have presented at industry conferences or contributed to industry thought leadership
Bring awareness of California energy policy, regulatory frameworks, or program environments
Experience and Skills to Qualify Include:
Approximately 10+ years of professional experience, with at least 8 years designing and implementing energy research and evaluation projects
Demonstrated experience leading studies related to:
Energy efficiency programs
Renewable energy programs
Demand‑response programs
Clean transportation
Building electrification
Experience serving as a Lead Investigator or project lead, overseeing data collection, analysis, and client deliverables
Experience supporting business development efforts, including proposal development, scope design, and finalist presentations
Bachelor’s degree in the social sciences, engineering, or a related field
What you can expect
Excellent insurance options, including medical, dental, and vision plans; company‑paid life insurance; company‑paid long‑ and short‑term disability insurance; medical and dependent‑care flexible spending plans, and paid parental leave.
A flexible time off (FTO) policy that provides paid time away from work, approved by your manager, while ensuring business needs, workload commitments, and appropriate coverage are maintained.
A 401(k)/RRSP plan with a 3% employer match.
The budgeted salary for this position is $140,000-$175,000 USD plus annual bonus. Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience.
This role will be remote with occasional travel up to 6 times a year.
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the US or Canada. We’re unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas or Labour Market Impact Assessments (Cdn) at this time.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
#J-18808-Ljbffr