Director of Pricing, Rates & Wholesale Billing

Position Summary

The incumbent is responsible for the overall development, strategic direction, management, team leadership, and performance of all elements of NPPD’s wholesale and retail rate making process, the NPPD formula rate template for establishing transmission rates in the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), and all elements of NPPD’s process for electric service billing to NPPD’s wholesale customers and transmission service customers, which includes understanding and executing provisions of the Wholesale Power Contract. Specifically, the incumbent is responsible for the accurate preparation, review, and timely issuance of NPPD’s wholesale, transmission, and subtransmission rate studies, and retail cost-of-service studies that meet NPPD’s strategic goals and objectives; development, implementation, and on-going administration of all rate-related policies, including those associated with customer generation, and new and innovative wholesale and retail pricing products that meet
customers’ and NPPD’s needs.  The incumbent has ownership and responsibility for the wholesale billing process, including the efficient, accurate and timely completion of all monthly electric service billings to NPPD’s wholesale customers and transmission service customers; developing and maintaining strong working relationships with wholesale and retail customers; and interfacing with the NPPD Board of Directors, NPPD Executive Team, NPPD Legal staff, Customer Services Team, and other internal teammates to explain and interpret wholesale and retail rate schedules and policies, discuss rationale for current rates and expected future trends, and to address any wholesale customer billing issues, while maintaining compliance with applicable contract provisions and legal requirements related to rate making and billing.  The Wholesale Power Contract is unique to NPPD in the utility industry and includes a level of complexity for this position which is not common in the industry. Understanding the provisions of the Wholesale Power Contract requires a high level of involvement and expertise of the incumbent in this position, a skillset and background unique to this specific role at NPPD and requires independent thought and analysis along with decision making that will directly impact NPPD’s financial revenue

Education, Training and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Finance, Economics, Mathematics, or related field is required.  MBA is preferred.

Ten years of progressive professional level experience in utility rates and pricing, customer billing, accounting, finance, and/or planning with at least five years in a supervisor/management role is required.

Licenses and/or Certifications

NA

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Build effective relationships, confidence, and trust, and maintain strong working relationships with wholesale and retail customers, internal NPPD business units, and peers in the electric utility industry. Serve as the primary point of contact for customers for all rate-related questions and concerns and provide expert advice and solutions to customer issues. Recall and understand the basis of previous rate and billing decisions to be able to maintain credibility and consistency in application of rates, billing, and policies. 
Serve as an internal and external subject matter expert for all NPPD wholesale (including the complexities of Wholesale Power Contract), retail, and SPP rates, , and for the wholesale billing process. Serve as the primary point of contact in each of these areas for the NPPD Board of Directors and Executive Team and provide counsel, coaching, and solutions to assist the NPPD leadership team in the understanding of the Wholesale Power Contract, pursuit of strategic objectives and increased customer satisfaction.
Oversee and direct the accurate preparation, review, and timely issuance of NPPD’s wholesale General Firm Power Service (GFPS) and Transmission Rate Studies, the Subtransmission Rate Study, the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) formula rate template, and the Retail Cost-of-Service Study, in accordance with contract provisions, Board policies, approved protocols, and state statutes.
Lead the rate making process, including the development, implementation, and on-going administration of rate related policies, the collection and use of load research data, the development of retail and wholesale pricing options, and the creation of innovative approaches to pricing and pricing methods. 
Develop, manage, and oversee implementation of NPPD’s rate and billing policies for customer generation and in alignment with the Wholesale Power Contract.  Serve as the subject matter expert on this topic and provide advice and answers to customers, internal teammates, and the NPPD leadership team regarding all rate-related aspects of proposed and existing customer generation installations.

Accountable for other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies