Manager Natural Gas Resources

at  Puget Sound Energy

Puget Sound Energy is looking to grow our community with top talented individuals like you! With our rapidly growing, award winning energy efficiency programs, our pathway to an exciting and innovative future is now.
PSE’s Energy Supply Merchant team is looking for qualified candidates to fill an open Manager Natural Gas Resources position!
Specific details regarding the work arrangements for this position will be discussed in further detail during the interview process.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Develops, manages and implements strategy regarding natural gas resource activities for PSE, including (i) Canadian and US pipeline rates and tariffs proceedings and (ii) resource planning and additions to PSE’s energy supply portfolio (both power and gas). Leads and coordinates key functions, including primary negotiations and oversight of PSE’s interest in Canadian and US pipeline service provider regulatory proceedings. Leads and coordinates acquisition strategy regarding the acquisition of new natural gas resources or restructuring of existing resources. Evaluates financial implications and alternatives of specific resource opportunities. Performs complex, long-term financial planning and analysis related to various resources. Represents PSE’s interests in project development or acquisitions with outside parties.
Works with PSE executives to develop business strategies and manage PSE’s natural gas portfolio requirements, considering capital, operational, risk, compliance and/or budgetary requirements. Responsible to lead initiatives and collaboratively interface with other PSE departments, resource and regulatory agencies, external stakeholders and other discipline-related organizations to develop and implement policy and programmatic direction.
Upholds the safety compliance standards inherent in PSE’s operating and/or field procedures related to work responsibilities. Promotes and supports a culture of total safety.
Demonstrates commitment to conduct business honestly, ethically and consistent with our core values and Code of Conduct. Ensures duties are performed in accordance with all regulatory compliance obligations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated strong leadership and communication skills.
• 4 years in energy trading or operations.
• 2 years natural gas or power trading experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Pacific Northwest gas and power energy infrastructure.
• Demonstrated knowledge of regional gas pipeline infrastructure, regional basis trading, gas storage inventory management and pipeline imbalance management.
• Demonstrated experience in evaluating fundamental market trends, assessing forward market prices and developing hedging strategies.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in FERC and Canadian rate design and regulatory proceedings.
• Proficient with presentation software applications and excellent presentation skills.
• Advanced knowledge and experience in Pacific Northwest natural gas pipeline and storage resources, and the financial, economic, regulatory and operational characteristics of such resources.

• Manages PSE’s Canadian, FERC and state rate and tariff regulatory strategies with respect to pipeline, storage. Leads company efforts in managing, negotiating and settling rate and tariff proceedings of Canadian and FERC regulated pipeline and storage service providers, and distribution company service providers; has primary responsibility and oversight for ensuring PSE’s interests are fairly represented in such proceedings.
• Provides commercial and regulatory support for the Jackson Prairie project, including FERC reporting, contract negotiations and legal counsel coordination and management.
• Leads due diligence reviews of natural gas asset purchases (e.g., storage projects, natural gas reserves, etc.), including financial feasibility analyses, and engineering, operations, environmental, and legal reviews.
• Prepares and directs strategic and economic evaluations of current and proposed long-term and intermediate- term natural gas resource acquisitions, and supports similar evaluations for power generation resources that require natural gas.
• Represents PSE’s commercial interests in arrangements where PSE enters into joint development agreements with outside parties for new natural gas resources (e.g., storage and pipeline expansions).
• Develops methods and assumptions for financial analysis of energy resource strategy alternatives. Negotiates business transactions required to successfully implement a resource acquisition or development strategy, including precedent agreements, transportation or storage service agreements, joint ownership agreements, construction agreements and interconnection agreements.
• Proactively builds consensus among external and internal stakeholders to meet PSE’s resources needs; works closely with planning staff (both resource and operations) to evaluate long-term resource strategies.
• Works with PSE legal counsel to support and align Natural Gas Resources’ strategy, particularly in Canadian and FERC regulatory proceedings of pipeline and storage service providers, but also commercially.
• Directs and supports technical resource modeling and forecasting studies; coordinates analytical work with Resource Planning and Analysis, Energy Supply Planning and other departments throughout the company.
• Works collaboratively with Resource planning to develop the natural gas sections of Integrated Resource Plans and distribution company service providers. Participates in and provides financial analysis and support for due diligence and prudence reviews, contract negotiations and general and resource regulatory proceedings.
• Once resources are acquired, supports PSE’s internal stakeholders by ensuring company staff is properly trained and resolving problems associated with such resources.
• Represents PSE internally and externally as a subject matter expert on natural gas supply markets, pipeline and storage service offerings, and associated state, federal and Canadian rates and tariffs.
• Formulates and conducts presentations internally and externally, including PSE executives and industry events. Mentors company personnel on technical and strategic matters.
• Responds to infrastructure and resource emergencies on a 24/7 basis.
• Performs other duties as assigned.