Associate Director (Transmission)

Company: Energy and Environmental Economics
Location: San Francisco
Posted on: February 14, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Why You Should Join the E3 Team When you join the E3 team, you will be working on some of the most important energy issues with some of the top minds in the electricity industry. We help shape energy and climate policy, play vital roles in regulatory proceedings, advise executives, and inform investment and planning selections. At E3, you will be challenged and inspired. Who We Are Founded in 1989, Energy Environmental Economics (E3) is a fast-growing energy consulting firm that helps utilities, regulators, policy makers, developers, and investors make the most educated strategic decisions possible as they implement new public policies, deploy and develop new technologies, and address customers’ shifting expectations. We have offices in San Francisco, New York City, Boston, Denver, and Calgary. Because E3 works with customers from all sectors of the electricity industry, we provide a 360-degree knowledge of markets, planning, policy, regulation, and environmental factors. Just as important, we are driven to deliver clear, unbiased evaluations that help customers make informed decisions. E3 works on high-profile, high-impact projects in jurisdictions that spearhead the implementation of clean energy policy. In California, Hawaii, and New York, we are advising state agencies and regulators about how to implement clean energy policies with an emphasis on customer incentives and markets. About You We look for people who combine strong analytical dexterity and/or policy experience with integrity and a passion for energy. Our Associate Directors take the reins on project work to drive creative solutions to some of the most elaborate and important energy issues of the day. For this specific role, we are looking for someone who brings subject matter depth in electric transmission (e.g., ISO/RTO transmission planning processes, interconnection and deliverability concepts, corridor/ROW and permitting basics, capital planning). You’re fluent with management consulting skills: structuring ambiguous problems, choosing a path and level of detail to answer questions in the time/budget available, anticipating challenges and creating plans to mitigate risks, coaching your team in how to answer questions, and checking results and storyline based on your experience in the industry. You have executive presence to navigate client/stakeholder dynamics, align senior leaders, and drive decisions in high stakes settings. Our Associate Directors take on a pivotal role to help manage, shape, and continue to develop an E3 Practice Area. In this position, you will help to drive the continued growth of E3’s business through strategic project and thought leadership, developing our next generation of leaders and further advancing our reputation for best-in-class solutions to our broad case of clients. You bring curiosity, thrive in a rigorous and quantitative solution-finding environment, take a collaborative approach to project work, are comfortable coaching and providing feedback to others, and are practiced at working closely with clients and stakeholders while supporting the execution of our business and mission. We seek those that are inquisitive and look at all sides of an issue to make informed recommendations with confidence and clarity. You pride yourself in your technical aptitude and deep subject matter expertise. You bring a strong attention to detail and your project management and leadership techniques help you independently create and actualize work plans that are efficient while delivering an elevated level of guidance to our customers The Role The Associate Director (Transmission) will lead strategy engagements for utilities and their transmission businesses. You’ll structure the problem, own day-to-day client leadership, and coordinate internal and external cross-functional teams (transmission planning, engineering, regulatory, finance, delivery). Focus areas include business case development, portfolio prioritization, KPI tracking, partnership strategy, and organization structure and governance. Work Environment E3 has adopted a hybrid and flexible work environment that adapts to changing needs of projects and safety requirements. Because E3 thrives in a strong collaborative office-based working environment, we encourage our E3 employees to work from the office at least 2-3 days per week, usually including Tuesdays and Thursdays. Must be able to work for extended hours in front of a computer screen and conduct meetings on the telephone and virtually. Role Details Hours: Full Time Travel: Occasional (up to 10%) Office Location: Hybrid work schedule from our San Francisco office or client's site in the Bay Area, as needed Responsibilities Lead the delivery of customer work through modeling, developing presentations, writing and preparing entire subsections of reports and papers, and owning customer requests Conduct independent research using your ingenuity and curiosity to make reasonable assumptions and produce appropriate solutions, at times with incomplete information Fulfill end-to-end project obligations Deliver presentations to customers and reply to questions Develop aptitude in using a flagship modeling tool, gathering relevant data, and vetting results Oversee the management of existing tools as needed Oversee/implement major revisions to toolkits Apply core QA/QC best practices Lead proposal writing on various projects Translate results of research and evaluations into clear visual representations Head the creation or editing of spreadsheets to be "client-ready,” including developing tools for customer solutions Proactively track actual performance of own work performed against the established plan with ongoing communication to project team members Track and manage actual performance of project teams against the established plan, with ongoing communication to project team members Capture project learnings and repeatable products and work samples for future use according to knowledge management processes Stand up and run a Transmission Strategy PMO: establish cadence, RACI's, decision rights, and an executive steering committee, maintain scope, schedule and execute across work-streams Map the current operating model (org structure, design rights/RACI, processes) and recommend changes: resource plan, capability gaps, governance, and interfaces with ISO/RTO, regulatory and community stakeholders Build the KPI framework for transmission buildout (e.g., miles energized per year, permit lead times, ROW acquisition progress, deliverability milestones, cost and schedule variance); design dashboards and routines to use them Translate engineering and modeling (production cost, power flow/deliverability) into options, business cases, and an executive-ready roadmap with milestones, owners and KPI's Lead stakeholder alignment across utility executives, ISO/RTO, regulators, communities, and delivery partners, design strategies to unblock tough issues and drive to decision Assist with internal initiatives as needed Requirements Master's Degree or Ph.D. in engineering, economics, computer science, public policy or related field (or Bachelor's and equivalent work experience) Demonstrated hands-on experience or extensive knowledge in, or related to our practice areas 7 years of experience in an energy-related field with a specific focus on the electric power sector Significant experience/subject matter expertise in electric transmission development or planning (e.g. interconnection and deliverability concepts, corridor/ROW and permitting basics, capital planning, utility regulation) Extensive project management experience leading collaborative project efforts while helping each member of your team do their finest work Aptitude to write and communicate clearly Experience crafting a clear and compelling message both in writing and via presentations Demonstrated experience working directly with clients, stakeholders or customers Passionate about the transition to a low-carbon economy Demonstrated success guiding ideas, people, and projects High fluency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; quantitative modeling methods and/or programming knowledge and experience are also valued Desire to work in a dynamic office environment with other staff Things that Set you Apart Deep subject matter expertise specifically in energy, economics or finance, and climate change issues Significant project management and leadership experience in a technical or analytical environment Past experience working directly with utilities on electric transmission modeling platforms preferred, examples include PLEXOS, Gridview, PROMOD, PSSE, TARA Extensive experience coordinating with customers on a regular basis You believe it is essential to achieve a transition to a low-carbon economy and love thinking about the future of energy You work collaboratively and help each member of your team to do their finest work, aware that each brings different experiences, techniques, and qualifications to the table You enjoy translating technical concepts to a broader audience You take ownership of your work, proactively seeking out answers to questions and enjoy finding creative solutions to issues you encounter E3 takes a number of factors into consideration when determining title and salary level for a potential new employee. This includes, but is not limited to: a candidate’s education, training, and relevant work experience; expected quality and quantity of work; required travel (if any); external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems; and internal pay alignment.? ? E3 also provides a bonus structure that we are proud of because we believe it creates the right kinds of incentives for good work, provides significant flexibility, and is fair and equitable. The below compensation outlines our total compensation package with our bonus structure adding significant amounts to your base salary. While neither the upper or lower end of our bonus structure is capped, this provides a representation of the average total compensation based on both your personal performance and the company's performance. ? Annual Total Compensation Range for Associate Director - Director - Minimum: $160,000 - Maximum: $270,000 E3’s Commitment to You E3 provides abundant opportunities for professional growth and invests significantly in employee development. Right from the start, our team works hard to provide you with a customized multi-week onboarding experience where you will meet with colleagues, Partners, and your own mentor. Every September, all new hires attend E3’s proprietary internally developed 22-course training program which broadens your foundational industry-specific knowledge as well as develops those skills essential to being a great consultant. E3 also provides every employee with an annual professional development stipend, opportunities to attend conferences, and personalized career development at every stage of your employment. In addition, E3 offers employees a broad, best-in-class range of benefits and supportive rewards to support you both personally and professionally. Some benefits include: · Base and bonus commensurate with experience and performance · Exceptional benefits such as medical, dental, and vision insurance plans · Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts · 401k (Retirement) with corporate match · Flexible Paid Time Off plus standard company holidays · Short-term and long-term disability · Fitness and wellness stipend and corporate discounts · Professional Development annual stipend · Relocation assistance · Up to 12 weeks paid parental leave · Mentorship program · Employee referral program · Commuter benefits EEO Non-Discrimination and ADA Reasonable Accommodation Statement Applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or partnership status, disability, military status, veteran status, pregnancy or predisposing genetic characteristics. Willdan does not discriminate on the basis of physical or mental disability where the essential functions of the job can be reasonably accommodated. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us. Willdan Group Inc. participates in E-Verify

Keywords: Energy and Environmental Economics, Petaluma , Associate Director (Transmission), Energy / Utilities , San Francisco, California