Director/Manager, Energy Strategy & Economics

Job description

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing! We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business. Director/Manager, Energy Strategy & Economics Does the thought of joining one of the fastest-growing, privately held data center companies sound exciting to you? Do you enjoy collaborating with team members to drive and operate some of the industry’s leading and most innovative infrastructure solutions? At Aligned Data Centers , not only do we celebrate success across our platform, we celebrate the very teams that drive and support that success! Our culture is founded in passion, engineered from innovation, and driven by the pursuit of operational excellence. We are a company dedicated to driving positive change in the industry through continuous data center innovation, diversity and inclusion, and corporate sustainability. We realize not only is providing a comprehensive benefits package important, but we also provide a generous 401k match with immediate vesting, free membership to Gympass which provides our employees a rich health and wellness benefit and competitive time off plan. Giving back and having fun is important to our team whether it be serving our communities or employee and customer events. Our Aligned DNA is what makes us unique and successful! As a part of our exciting growth, we are hiring for a Director/Manager, Energy Strategy & Economics. The Director/Manager, Energy Strategy & Economics serves as the analytical engine behind Aligned’s commercial energy decisions. This role develops and owns enterprise energy economic models to evaluate and compare power supply strategies—including utility supply, third-party generation, energy storage (BESS), and hybrid solutions—and translates technical, market, and commercial inputs into bankable financial analyses. The position provides the analytical foundation for energy transactions and negotiations through scenario analysis, price forecasting, portfolio modeling, and clear executive-ready recommendations that guide long-term procurement strategy and risk management. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Develop, own, and continuously improve enterprise energy economic and financial models to evaluate power supply alternatives (utility service, third‑party generation/PPAs, BESS, and hybrid solutions) across U.S. markets. Translate technical, market, and commercial inputs into investment‑grade lifecycle economics, including cash flow modeling, LCOE/LCOE‑like comparisons, risk-adjusted costs, and key sensitivities (shape, basis, congestion, curtailment, escalation, and policy/change‑in‑law). Build scenario and Monte Carlo/sensitivity frameworks (as appropriate) to quantify market exposure and uncertainty across competing supply strategies and contract structures. Develop price forecasts and forward views (energy, capacity/RA, basis/congestion and ancillary services where relevant), integrating market fundamentals, tariff/rule impacts, and vendor/third‑party intelligence to support long-term procurement strategy. Provide analytical support for energy transactions and negotiations (RFP evaluation, bid leveling, term sheet analytics, and contract value drivers), including clear articulation of risks, mitigants, and recommended positions. Partner cross-functionally with Development, Utility Infrastructure, Operations, Finance, and Legal to align model assumptions with site constraints, interconnection/energization schedules, load profiles, and commercial priorities. Maintain portfolio models that consolidate load, contracted supply, and market exposures; quantify hedge effectiveness and recommend optimization actions across volume, shape, basis, congestion, capacity/RA, and renewable attributes. Create decision-quality materials (investment memos, approval packages, and executive summaries) that translate complex analytics into clear recommendations, including economics, sensitivities, and key commercial terms. Establish modeling standards, documentation, and controls to ensure transparency, auditability, and consistent treatment of inputs/assumptions across markets and deal types; manage internal and third‑party data sources. Monitor market, regulatory, and policy developments (utility tariffs, ISO/RTO rules, state programs, FERC actions) and quantify impacts to portfolio economics and future procurement optionality. Present market outlooks, model results, and procurement recommendations to senior leadership; support Board-level updates and investment committee discussions as needed. Support negotiations by developing scenario-based pricing guardrails, counterparty comparisons, and “what has to be true” thresholds; quantify value of flexibility, optionality, and risk transfer provisions. Lead or mentor analysts (as applicable) and coordinate with external consultants to scale modeling capacity and ensure high-quality, timely delivery of analyses supporting active deals and long-range planning. Ability to travel up to 20%. Performs other related duties as assigned by management. STRONGLY DESIRED WORKING EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE OF: Demonstrated experience building and owning energy market and project finance models, including lifecycle cash flow analysis, scenario/sensitivity analysis, and evaluation of utility vs. competitive supply, generation, and storage options. 10+ years’ experience in energy economics, power markets, commercial analytics, strategy, procurement, trading/portfolio analytics, or related roles, with strong understanding of ISO/RTO and bilateral market structures, utility tariffs, and regulatory/policy drivers impacting long-term supply economics. COMPETENCIES: Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events. Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures. Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions; Displays orientation to profitability; Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; Aligns work with strategic goals. Change Management - Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments. Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan. Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce. Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values. Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention. Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things. Judgement - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions. Motivation - Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence; Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals. Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings. Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity. Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans. Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments. Project Management - Develops project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities. Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality. Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly. Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; Understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; Analyzes market and competition; Identifies external threats and opportunities; Adapts strategy to changing conditions. Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed. Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information. BENEFITS & PERKS: Aligned Data Centers is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to support the health, well-being, and financial security of our team members. Eligible employees have access to: Health Coverage : Medical, dental, and vision insurance Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts: HSA with employer contribution for eligible participants. FSA's offered for health and dependent care to increase tax savings. Retirement Savings : 401(k) plan with company match Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay : Includes sick and safe leave as required by Maryland law Company-Sponsored Insurance : Short-Term Disability, Life Insurance, and Long-Term Disability (with medical election) Optional Benefits : Voluntary life, critical illness, legal, and additional disability coverage Wellness Programs : Employee assistance program (EAP), Wellhub gym membership, and other wellness initiatives PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: Occasionally required to stand Occasionally required to walk Frequently required to sit Continually required to utilize hand and finger dexterity Occasionally required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl Continually required to talk or hear Occasionally work near moving mechanical parts Occasional exposure to wet and/or humid conditions (non-weather) The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Aligned Data Centers is an equal opportunity employer that embraces diversity and is committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs.