Wholesale Account Manager - Southeast Region

Position Summary

The Wholesale Account Manager plays a critical role in the growth and success of NPPD as they are responsible for a significant portion of NPPD’s overall firm revenues through strategic management of wholesale customer relationships. Relationships include but not limited to public power district managers, boards, city administrators, councils, utility superintendents, mayors, city officials, external stakeholders, policy groups, NPPD management, executives, and board of directors. The Wholesale Account Manager requires an individual who excels in building lasting relationships with customers, understanding their unique needs, and delivering value to retain these at-risk revenues. As the manager of the customer relationship and key point of contact, the Wholesale Account Manager will leverage their knowledge of NPPD, public power and the industry to ensure customers receive exceptional service and value, while also identifying new opportunities and alignment to meet the challenges ahead. This role demands a proactive, results-driven individual with a strong focus on relationship-building, customer satisfaction, technical and industry understanding along with the ability to manage multiple unrelated tasks.

Education, Training and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, engineering, technical, or related field and 5 years’ experience 

OR 

Associate degree in business, marketing, technical, or related field and 7 years’ experience. 
Advanced education in a technical, business or marketing field is preferred.
 

Prior Related Experience:
Professional level experience in areas such as customer service, Southwest Power Pool, system planning, utility operations, or contract administration required .   Knowledge of certified key account executive techniques, energy efficiency and economic development is preferred. Incumbent must possess prior experience in a leadership role.   
 

Licenses and/or Certifications

Completion of Key Account Certification Training Program within 18 months of position start date. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Build and maintain strong relationships to retain and grow the District’s firm revenues, as approximately two-thirds of these revenues are generated through strategic partnerships, relationships, and long-term agreements with wholesale customers.  Managing wholesale power supply agreements and related customer agreements. These relationships, commitments, and revenues are critical to NPPD’s financial stability and future.  The role requires proactive relationships, interactions, and consistent follow-up with customers to align expectations, monitor progress, and seek solutions. Key relationships are with the decision makers of the wholesale customers and NPPD.  Additionally, understanding the political landscape surrounding external stakeholders is essential, as decisions can have far-reaching implications for business outcomes, stakeholder engagement and customer relationships.

The ability to effectively communicate and educate customers on rates, industry trends, and regulatory changes is essential for building trust and fostering long-term relationships. Being an advocate for the customers views and expectations within NPPD is a key responsibility, ensuring that customer needs and wants are represented in the decision-making processes. A deep understanding of customers' specific issues and opportunities allows for tailored solutions to maintain satisfaction and loyalty. Additionally, this role involves encouraging a customer-focused culture within NPPD, ensuring that all teammates understand the impact of their decisions and processes regarding the customer’s experience. The ability to collaborate with and seek feedback from boards and councils is also important, as it ensures alignment with broader organizational goals while keeping the customer perspective at the forefront.

Possess and maintain a strong technical knowledge of the energy industry, Southwest Power Pool (SPP) and how the regional market operates.  Familiarity with organizations like The Energy Authority (TEA) and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) is essential for staying informed about industry developments and emerging technologies, market activity and optimization of generation resources and demand response related opportunities. A comprehensive understanding of generation, transmission, sub-transmission, and distribution systems is necessary for managing assets and infrastructure in a way to optimize costs and reliability. Ability to understand and explain general ratemaking, cost causation, cost of service principles and special power products (rates) to optimize value for wholesale and end use customers.  

Support strategic initiatives that align with both short-term and long-term goals, particularly in areas such as economic development, energy efficiency, beneficial electrification, and other utility related services. A deep understanding of emerging regulatory frameworks (ex. FERC 2222 and the role of demand response) is crucial to driving innovations that support grid resilience, sustainable energy solutions, and resource adequacy benefits for the District and our wholesale customers. The position also has oversight of the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Agreements with several of our wholesale customers to help provide low-cost reliable service to their community. Additionally, there is regular communication with the NPPD CEO, executive staff, and department leads to ensure alignment across all levels of the organization, providing critical updates on initiatives and their progress. This strategic focus enables the company to stay ahead of industry trends and continuously adapt to changing market conditions.
 

Accountable for other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies