Director of Customer Energy Solutions – Strategic Research, Advisory & Utility Innovation Leadership

About brighthush

At brighthush, we empower utilities across the United States and Canada to navigate an increasingly complex energy landscape. As a research‑driven, data‑centric, and technology‑focused professional services firm, we partner with utility leaders to help them understand their customers, optimize grid performance, and adopt best‑in‑class operating practices. Headquartered in Texas with more than 450 dedicated experts, brighthush blends deep industry insight with cutting‑edge analytics to turn uncertainty into opportunity. If you are passionate about shaping the future of energy, you will find a purpose‑filled home at brighthush.

Why This Role Matters

The utility sector is undergoing a rapid transformation—renewable integration, digitalization, evolving regulatory frameworks, and shifting customer expectations are redefining how energy is produced, delivered, and consumed. As the Director, Customer Energy Solutions, you will be the strategic anchor for our most sophisticated research, evaluation, and advisory engagements. Your leadership will directly influence how utility clients design customer‑centric programs, improve grid reliability, and achieve sustainable growth.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Client Partnership

• Own and expand long‑term client relationships by deeply understanding strategic objectives, anticipating risks, and acting as a trusted advisor.
• Lead the largest and most complex research and advisory engagements, often coordinating multidisciplinary teams that include analysts, engineers, economists, and external subcontractors.
• Translate sophisticated research methodologies into clear, actionable recommendations that drive client decision‑making.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for high‑stakes client communications, navigating trade‑offs, risk assessments, and next‑step planning.

Project & Delivery Excellence

• Direct project managers and technical staff, providing strategic, methodological, analytical, and reporting guidance while ensuring accountability across all workstreams.
• Guarantee that every engagement meets defined objectives, scope, schedule, budget, quality standards, and contractual obligations.
• Establish and continuously improve quality‑assurance processes, reviewing high‑impact analyses and deliverables to ensure they are decision‑ready.
• Set the direction for research and evaluation approaches, applying industry best practices and pioneering innovative qualitative and quantitative methods.

Financial & Business Development Stewardship

• Manage the financial performance of an assigned portfolio, overseeing revenue, profitability, staffing utilization, forecasting, subcontractor spend, invoicing, and collections in partnership with Finance.
• Champion strategic proposals, lead business‑development opportunities, and shape solution development, proposal strategy, and finalist presentations.
• Support market development and external visibility through conference presentations, industry participation, partnerships, and thought‑leadership initiatives.

People Development & Culture Building

• Coach, mentor, and develop mid‑level staff and emerging project leaders, building their judgment, client leadership, communication, and people‑management capabilities.
• Partner with peers and senior leaders to improve work execution, prioritize resources, identify systemic issues, and implement practice‑area strategy.
• Model brighthush’s core values—collaboration, integrity, customer focus, adaptability, accountability, and a relentless drive for results.

Essential Qualifications

• 9+ years of relevant professional experience leading qualitative and quantitative research, evaluation, and advisory work from strategy through delivery.
• Proven track record of managing major client engagements, developing long‑term relationships, and serving as a senior trusted advisor.
• Demonstrated ability to direct multiple project managers, technical specialists, subcontractors, and cross‑functional contributors toward shared outcomes.
• Strong business acumen with a clear understanding of client value creation, project economics, staffing, risk management, and business‑development dynamics.
• Advanced degree in the social sciences, engineering, or a related field, or a bachelor’s degree combined with commensurate professional experience.
• Extensive experience applying social‑science research methods—including design, instrument development, data collection, analysis, synthesis, and reporting.

Preferred Qualifications & Nice‑to‑Have Experience

• Experience leading strategic business‑development opportunities that grew major client accounts or expanded service offerings.
• Recognition as an industry thought leader through conference presentations, association involvement, publications, or similar platforms.
• Portfolio management experience, including budgeting, forecasting, and resource planning at the practice level.
• Hands‑on experience with demand‑side management programs in California (energy efficiency, demand response) and familiarity with state policy and regulatory frameworks.

Core Skills & Competencies

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to see the big picture while managing detailed execution plans.
• Analytical Rigor: Mastery of both qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques, with a keen eye for data integrity and insight generation.
• Communication Excellence: Clear, concise writing and compelling verbal presentation skills for both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Leadership Presence: Confidence to lead high‑impact discussions, negotiate trade‑offs, and influence senior client stakeholders.
• Collaboration & Influence: Proven ability to work across functional boundaries, build consensus, and drive collective outcomes.
• Adaptability: Comfort operating in ambiguous environments and making sound decisions with incomplete information.

Career Growth & Learning Opportunities

At brighthush, your career trajectory is limited only by your ambition. As a Director, you will:

• Gain exposure to the nation’s largest utility clients and the most pressing energy challenges of our time.
• Lead cross‑disciplinary teams that include data scientists, engineers, economists, and policy experts.
• Participate in a robust professional‑development program that includes mentorship, leadership workshops, and sponsorship for industry certifications.
• Contribute to thought leadership that shapes public policy, industry standards, and the future of the utility sector.
• Position yourself for senior executive pathways such as Practice Lead, Vice President of Client Services, or Chief Strategy Officer within brighthush.

Work Environment & Culture

brighthush fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and intellectually curious environment. Our culture is built on:

• Clarity over Jargon: We value straightforward communication that drives understanding and action.
• Substance over Flash: Deliverables are judged on impact, not on presentation flair.
• Collaboration over Ego: Team success is celebrated, and diverse perspectives are encouraged.
• Flexibility: This role is remote‑first, with occasional travel (1–4 times per year) for client workshops, conferences, and team gatherings.
• Diversity & Inclusion: We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to providing an environment where every voice is heard.

Compensation, Perks & Benefits

• Competitive salary range: $145,000 – $193,000 USD plus an annual performance‑based bonus.
• Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, vision, with company‑paid life insurance and short‑ and long‑term disability.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for medical and dependent‑care expenses.
• Paid parental leave and a flexible time‑off (FTO) policy that balances personal recharge with business needs.
• 401(k) plan with a 3% employer match.
• Professional development stipend for conferences, certifications, and continuing education.
• Remote‑work allowance to support home‑office setup.

Eligibility & Application Process

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States or Canada. brighthush does not sponsor employment visas or Labour Market Impact Assessments at this time.

We are an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Join Us in Shaping the Energy Future

If you are a visionary leader with a passion for utility transformation, a track record of delivering high‑impact research, and a desire to mentor the next generation of energy experts, we invite you to bring your expertise to brighthush. Together, we will turn complexity into clarity and help power a sustainable tomorrow.