Vice President Strategic Growth

Job Specifications

Black Hills Energy is people powered and purpose driven. Our team uses the power of energy to improve life for over one million customers in 800+ communities across the West and Midwest. We seek talented, caring people who embody our core values and contribute to a culture of inclusion and growth. As an organization, we believe the best part of working on our team is our commitment to making tomorrow better than today-for our customers, communities and each other.

Position summary:

Reporting to the Senior Vice President and Chief Utility Officer, the Vice President Strategic Growth will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Black Hills Energy by developing strategic initiatives that align with our strategic vision and drive growth, enhance our competitive position, and maximize shareholder value. This leader will also be responsible for identifying potential merger, acquisition, and divestiture opportunities that are complementary to Black Hills Energy's core utility assets and operations, as well as forging partnerships that lead to long term asset investments and/or commercial opportunities. This leader will understand the full range of the company's assets and their potential, while having a complete understanding of the evolving competitive, regulatory, and commercial landscape. The ideal candidate will possess deep industry knowledge, exceptional relationship skills, and have a visionary mindset. This is a key role and will be a major contributor in shaping and executing the company's growth strategy. As such, the successful candidate will be a dynamic and accomplished financial and business development leader ideally with an outstanding record of identifying, evaluating, and successfully negotiating and completing significant business transactions within a technical environment.

Pay Range: $ $274,900 - $453,550 (This posting includes the full pay range for this position. Pay is based on a number of factors and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and internal equity.)

Reporting Relationship: Senior Vice President and Chief Utility Officer

Location: Rapid City, South Dakota

Relocation Assistance: Relocation assistance is available based on individual circumstances! Details to be shared during the offer process.

Essential Functions:
* Strategic Planning:
o Assist the senior leadership team in developing and executing long-range strategic business plans for the company and translating that into investment and partnering plans to ensure earnings growth, sustainability, and resiliency in a rapidly changing energy landscape.
o Partner and/or lead cross-functional teams to evaluate and ensure that business opportunities are aligned to and support the overall strategic plan, including but not limited to data center development, long-term gas supply, and electric resource planning strategies.
o Prepare proposals and present on strategic progress to the senior leadership team, and Board of Directors and other teams as appropriate.

* Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures:
o This role will identify and evaluate potential merger, acquisition and divestiture opportunities that align with the company's growth strategy.
o Partner closely with the Chief Financial Officer when vetting large-scale opportunities with the CEO and Board of Directors.
o Partner with state operations and supporting functions to identify complementary bolt-on acquisitions which complement regulated utility operations in our service territory.

* Partnership Development:
o Contribute to Black Hills Energy growth by leading key strategic partnerships and guiding development opportunities for the business.
o Cultivate and maintain relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including industry partners, regulatory bodies, and community organizations.
o Serve as one of the spokespersons for the company by representing the company in its relationships with partners and in the business and financial communities.

* Industry Insights:
o Stay abreast of developments in the energy sector to inform strategic decision-making.
o Provide thought leadership on emerging trends and technologies in natural gas and electricity, green energy, and other sectors.
o Analyze company performance, market trends, competitive landscape, and regulatory environment to inform strategic decisions.
o Monitor business development risks and opportunities to inform future strategic planning.

* Project Execution and Collaboration:
o Work closely with operational, financial, and senior leadership teams to ensure alignment of strategic initiatives.
o Lead cross-functional teams to develop technical, commercial, and financial assessment of all new business opportunities.
o Foster a culture of innovation and collaboration within the organization to help facilitate the execution of new ideas.
o Lead cross-functional teams to successfully execute business transactions in alignment with strategic growth goals and vision.

* Long-Term Vision:
o In partnership with the leadership team and the strategic corporate planning function, develop a long-term strategic vision for the company, ensuring earnings growth, sustainability, and resilience in a rapidly changing energy landscape.
o Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of strategic initiatives, adjusting plans as necessary to achieve desired outcomes.

What Is Required:
* Bachelor's degree in business (finance, administration), engineering, energy management, or a related field.
* Minimum of 10 years in strategy development, business development, or corporate development within the energy sector, with a focus on both natural gas and electricity. Proven track record of identifying opportunities and structuring, negotiating, and closing transactions. In-depth knowledge of complex financial analysis and legal considerations are necessary to engineer such deals.
* Deep understanding of the energy landscape, including regulatory frameworks, market dynamics, and emerging trends in natural gas, electricity, with some exposure to nuclear energy and renewable energy.

What Is Desired:
* Master of Business Administration.
* Exceptional business strategist.
* Knowledge of regulated utility business model, including rate structuring and rate making.
* Leadership of commercial structuring and agreement implementation and business case creation.
* Ability to collaboratively work with operational leadership to identify and ensure appropriate treatment of costs, risks and opportunities in financial modeling and commercial agreements.
* Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with diverse stakeholders.
* Proven ability to lead in a matrix organization, with a high level of influence.
* Excellent negotiation and collaborative decision-making abilities.
* Innovative mindset with a track record of turning ideas into actionable plans.
* Ability to work with ambiguity, understand key issues, and structure analytical path forward.
* Exceptional communication and influence skills, with the ability to inspire and work successfully with varied audiences including industry partners, financial institutions, Board of Directors, fellow management, and cross-functional teams, with a strong executive presence.
* Entrepreneurial, collaborative, energetic self-starter with strong interpersonal and analytical skills and proven ability to work effectively with senior leadership as a strategic partner.

This description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, duties, and requirements for employees in this position. Job descriptions may and do change periodically. Where positions are covered by a collective bargaining unit agreement, the terms and conditions of the agreement will apply.

About our Company: We are a customer, growth and safety focused utility company that is dedicated to our communities. We improve life with energy as an energy partner of choice. Our diverse culture fuels unique perspectives, opening doors to new insights and possibilities. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, we have over 3000 employees and serve 1.3 million natural gas and electric utility customers across eight states (South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Arkansas).

Enjoy our Comprehensive Benefits Package! Annual discretionary bonuses, 401(k) (6% company match and up to 9% company retirement contribution), tuition reimbursement, generous paid time off benefits, including paid holidays and parental leave, company paid life insurance and disability benefits (short and long term), an employee assistance program and well-being benefits, and competitive medical, dental and vision insurance.

Candidates must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check. If there is anything that may show up in these reports that may conflict with the position requirements, feel free to contact the Black Hills Energy recruiting team at jobs@blackhillscorp.com.

Black Hills Energy does not sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran. If you require reasonable accommodation, please visit careers.blackhillsenergy.com for more information.