Director, Policy and Projects

Job Description

Washington Gas is seeking a Director of Projects & Policy.

In this role, you will lead policy development and provide regulatory guidance for new and novel projects, as well as discrete and developing business challenges. You will report to the Vice President, Regulatory and Climate Strategy, and will specialize in complex and cross-functional projects that require dedicated regulatory guidance on a broad range of non-standard issues over a discrete timeline.  You will oversee the Climate and Energy Analytics group, as well as other personnel required to develop projects and analyze policy positions.  This team supports the regulatory and climate strategy of the business, including developing WGL's positions on emerging issues, developing data to support business decisions, leading cross-functional projects from development through the regulatory framework to implementation, and preparing and delivering communications necessary to successfully advance policy and projects with internal and external stakeholders.

You Will:

• Develop the Company’s policy positions on new legislation, proposed regulations, and emerging issues using a data-driven approach that incorporates key internal stakeholder considerations. 
• Identify risks and opportunities for the Company’s financial and operational interests from newly proposed legislation and regulations and provide options to address.
• Act as subject matter expert with regard to policy development across Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia as well as federally, providing feedback and strategic guidance to the legislative affairs team. 
• Review newly enacted legislation and regulations and provide assessments that include key points, next steps, and/or business recommendations for leadership and impacted business units.
• Lead regulatory oversight and execution of novel and non-standard projects and programs, providing critical input as to ratemaking and regulatory approval considerations, identifying areas of concern, and coordinating with cross-functional teams and senior management as needed to achieve success.
• Manage consultants and outside witnesses retained by the Company for special projects. 
• Act as the regulatory point of contact for emergency events and other emergent issues until they can be assigned an appropriate working team. 
• Coordinate work, establish project management structures and schedules, and drive schedules and deliverables on non-standard projects and special projects.
• Provide subject matter expertise on designated regulatory issues (e.g., cybersecurity) in all business and case contexts where they arise.
• Develop proposed tariff language or tariff revisions to align the Company tariff with identified business issues or new legislation.
• Attend legislative/regulatory meetings with external stakeholders as representative of business expertise to further the Company’s objectives.
• Undertake public speaking engagements as needed to further the Company’s objectives. 
• Work collaboratively with industry peers to understand trends in policy and proactively identify opportunities and areas of challenge. 
• Lead Company efforts to research regulatory and industry issues and trends that may affect the Company’s financial and operational interests, including but not limited to local, regional, and national energy and climate policy issues.
• Support regulatory matters in state and federal regulatory proceedings on an as-needed basis.

You Have:

• 15+ years of experience, including regulatory agency experience, direct work for a utility or other rate-regulated entity, work at a consulting group responsible for advising regulated entities on cost-of-service issues, and/or major infrastructure project management. 
• 5+ years managing a team. 
• J.D., or MBA degree required.
• Ability to work in a team, as well as independently. 
• Ability to analyze and provide recommendations on complex, wide ranging business problems.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills. 
• Must be comfortable working with Senior Executives, Commission Staffs, legislators and their staffs, and other stakeholders presenting and defending Company positions.
• Strong knowledge of utility ratemaking, rules, practices, and policies that govern the local gas distribution business at the state and federal levels required.

We offer a competitive salary range of $176,000 to $256,250.00 per year, commensurate with experience, education, and skills. In addition, we provide a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.

The Company values diversity in its workforce and encourages Un