Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Energy Analyst
💰 $65,000 - $110,000
🎯 Role Definition
Are you passionate about the future of energy and skilled in turning complex data into actionable strategy? This role requires a highly analytical and detail-oriented Energy Analyst to join our dynamic team. In this pivotal role, you will be the driving force behind our energy management and procurement strategies. You will dive deep into energy consumption data, analyze market trends, evaluate pricing structures, and identify key opportunities for cost reduction and enhanced efficiency. The ideal candidate will blend technical data analysis with a strong understanding of energy markets, regulatory landscapes, and sustainability goals to provide critical insights that shape our organization's energy future and support our commitment to environmental stewardship.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Junior Data Analyst or Business Analyst
- Recent Graduate (Engineering, Finance, Environmental Science)
- Utility or Energy Sector Intern
Advancement To:
- Senior Energy Analyst or Lead Energy Analyst
- Energy Manager or Sustainability Manager
- Energy Project Manager
Lateral Moves:
- Sustainability Consultant
- Energy Trader or Market Risk Analyst
- Policy Advisor (Energy & Environment)
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Analyze and interpret large, complex datasets related to energy consumption, utility billing, and meter readings to identify trends, anomalies, and cost-saving opportunities.
- Develop and maintain sophisticated financial models to forecast energy usage, costs, and budget variances, providing clear and concise reporting to management.
- Conduct in-depth research and analysis of electricity and natural gas markets, including monitoring regulatory changes, tariff structures, and geopolitical factors that impact energy prices.
- Evaluate and recommend energy procurement strategies, including fixed, indexed, and blended-price products, and support the negotiation of energy supply contracts.
- Manage and validate utility invoice data to ensure accuracy, resolve billing discrepancies with utility providers, and process payments in a timely manner.
- Prepare and present comprehensive reports and data visualizations on energy performance, market conditions, and project outcomes to key stakeholders and executive leadership.
- Identify and quantify energy efficiency measures (EEMs) and capital projects, calculating potential ROI, payback periods, and long-term financial benefits.
- Support the development and implementation of the organization's sustainability strategy by tracking and reporting on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Monitor performance of renewable energy assets and power purchase agreements (PPAs), ensuring compliance with contractual obligations and optimizing financial returns.
- Perform detailed tariff and rate analysis to ensure facilities are on the most economically advantageous utility rate schedules.
- Develop and manage energy dashboards using BI tools like Tableau or Power BI to provide real-time insights into energy consumption and costs across the portfolio.
- Interface with facility managers and engineering teams to provide analytical support for energy-related operational improvements and behavioral change programs.
- Assess the viability of new energy technologies, such as battery storage, demand response programs, and on-site generation, through rigorous technical and financial analysis.
- Maintain a centralized database of all energy-related information, including historical usage, rates, contracts, and facility characteristics.
Secondary Functions
- Support the completion of annual sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting frameworks, such as CDP and GRESB.
- Assist in regulatory proceedings and filings by providing data analysis, written testimony, and expert support on energy-related matters.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Finance, Operations, and Legal, to ensure cohesive and integrated energy management strategies.
- Contribute to the development and refinement of internal data management processes and tools to improve data quality and analytical efficiency.
- Provide ad-hoc analytical support and create custom reports to address specific business questions and strategic initiatives from senior leadership.
- Train and mentor junior analysts and other team members on energy market fundamentals, analytical techniques, and data tools.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Advanced Microsoft Excel: Mastery of Excel for data manipulation, financial modeling, and analysis, including pivot tables, complex formulas, and VBA macros.
- Data Querying and Management: Proficiency in SQL for extracting, cleaning, and managing large datasets from relational databases.
- Statistical Programming: Experience with statistical analysis and data modeling using Python (Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn) or R.
- Data Visualization: Expertise in creating compelling and insightful dashboards and reports using BI tools such as Tableau, Power BI, or similar platforms.
- Energy Modeling Software: Familiarity with industry-specific software for energy modeling or renewable project analysis (e.g., HOMER, PVSyst, EnergyCAP).
- Financial Modeling: Strong ability to build and maintain detailed financial models to evaluate project economics, ROI, and NPV.
- Utility Tariff Analysis: Deep understanding of how to read, interpret, and analyze complex utility tariffs and rate structures.
Soft Skills
- Analytical & Critical Thinking: Exceptional ability to dissect complex problems, interpret data, and draw logical, data-driven conclusions.
- Communication & Presentation: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Attention to Detail: Meticulous and thorough approach to data analysis and reporting, ensuring accuracy and reliability of all outputs.
- Problem-Solving: Proactive and resourceful in identifying issues, evaluating solutions, and implementing effective resolutions.
- Project Management: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
- Bachelor's Degree in a quantitative, technical, or business-related field.
Preferred Education:
- Master's Degree (M.S., M.A., or MBA) with a concentration in a relevant field.
- Professional certifications such as Certified Energy Manager (CEM) or Energy Efficiency Practitioner (EEP) are highly desirable.
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Environmental)
- Economics or Finance
- Data Science or Statistics
- Environmental Science or Sustainability Studies
- Business Administration
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range:
- 2-5 years of professional experience in an analytical role within the energy, utility, or sustainability sectors.
Preferred:
- Direct experience with energy procurement, utility bill management, and energy data analysis in a multi-site commercial or industrial portfolio.
- Proven track record of identifying and implementing energy cost-saving initiatives.
- Experience working with energy management information systems (EMIS) and building automation systems (BAS) data.