Director of Natural Gas Resource Planning

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

The Director of Natural Gas Resource Planning is a dynamic and experienced professional which leads Black Hills Energy's Natural Gas Resource Planning and Development efforts. This high-impact role is responsible for analyzing natural gas supply needs across the company's multi-state service territory, and leading development of long-term strategies for natural gas supply, pipeline capacity, and storage in partnership with state operations leaders. The successful candidate will integrate technical modeling, market knowledge, corporate strategy, and stakeholder engagement to ensure system reliability and cost-effective resource development. This position will lead integrated resource planning, support regulatory activity, and manage complex contract negotiations to secure reliable and affordable natural gas delivery. This role will provide strategic guidance and leadership in planning efforts by fostering collaboration, shaping direction, and supporting decision-making processes, while also seeking to optimize asset utilization and identify opportunities for growth. The Director will bring a strong blend of commercial, financial and operational expertise, coupled with technical proficiency and leadership experience in the energy sector. The Director will lead cross-functional teams, mentor staff, and represent the company's resource planning initiatives to internal leadership, regulatory bodies, and external partners.

Pay Range: $155,900 - $257,200 (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: VP of Gas Supply & Transportation Services

Location: Golden, Colorado or Council Bluffs, Iowa

Essential Functions

• Drive strategic planning efforts by contributing to and/or leading technical assignments including forecasting, modeling, and scenario analysis to develop and evaluate supply-side solutions to meet long term natural gas demand requirements.
• Lead discussions with third-party service providers regarding optimum solutions for transport and storage to meet customer needs including financial and technical configurations.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to evaluate and recommend cost-effective solutions for gas supply, pipeline capacity, and storage, and to initiate strategies to meet long-term natural gas demand; this may include large-scale brownfield or greenfield project development.
• Lead pipeline contract negotiations and capacity additions, including analysis of pipeline open season opportunities, development of bid recommendations and submittals, and finalizing associated service contracts.
• Lead the negotiation of commercial structures including joint ventures, new tariffs and self-provided solutions for long term transportation and storage.
• Support customer needs for capacity beyond the boundaries of the local distribution system and identify opportunities to cost effectively serve customer needs across bilateral and retail customer bases.
• Provide leadership, both directly and indirectly, mentoring and work direction to other Company staff to complete natural gas resource planning activities.
• Provide technical and commercial leadership and expertise to support resource planning and corporate growth initiatives.
• In partnership with state operations leadership, develop business cases including benefits to customers, appropriate returns and risk analysis for expansion projects.
  
  

Additional Responsibilities

• Travel, as necessary, to support business needs and natural gas initiatives, including regulatory, growth and operations activities.
• Support growth and strategy initiatives by providing analysis and insights into upstream capacity impacts, operations and associated commercial implications.
• Provide utility support through analysis of supply alternatives with respect to gas supply options including peak shaving, alternate pipeline options, renewable natural gas, storage, and supplier contracts.
• As applicable, support regulatory activity which may include representing the company at regulatory hearings and settlement discussions.
• Support Gas Supply and Transportations Services (GSTS) activities, as applicable.
• This position may include broader oversight of load forecasting, commercial and contracting activities.
  
  

What Is Required

• Bachelor's Degree Bachelor’s degree in relevant work of field (ex. Engineering, Planning, Finance, Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, Business), or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience with integrated resource planning, commercial development, utility analytics, fuel procurement, or asset management within the energy or utility sector or related experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of demonstrated experience and success in leading teams, including cross-functional teams.
• Minimum of 3 years of understanding of large-scale infrastructure projects and experience negotiating service agreements that support reliability and affordability.
• Expertise in financial modeling, forecasting, and scenario analysis
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to build and maintain strategic stakeholder relationships
• Ability to mentor and develop high-performing teams across technical and commercial disciplines
• Strong financial acumen with proven experience in the area of contract negotiations, including projects, service agreements and financial partnerships
• Strategic thinker with a track record of driving innovation and delivering measurable value
• Effective communicator with experience presenting to leadership and regulatory bodies
• Effective leader in a matrix organization or with project teams
• Comfortable operating in a variable-paced, cross-functional environment with evolving priorities
• This role will be required to travel up to 10% of the time.
  
  

What Is Desired

• Advanced degree
• Experience working with regulatory agencies and participating in commission proceedings.
• In-depth knowledge of FERC regulations, pipeline operations, and utility regulatory frameworks.
• Proficiency in data analytics, statistical modeling, and economic analysis tools.
• Familiarity with machine learning applications in energy markets.
• Proven leadership capabilities with a collaborative and hands-on management style.
  
  

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), critical illness, accident & group hospital insurance, pet insurance, 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.