Business Development Executive

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Job description

If end date is listed, the posting will come down at 12:00 am on that date:

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE (Economic Development) (YAA117)

About The Position

The Business Development Executive (Economic Development) is responsible for keeping energy rates affordable by creating and sustaining Ameren revenue through partnerships with our service territory communities in an effort to drive new business growth in the Ameren Illinois service area. The position will engage with large Commercial and Industrial (C&I) customers to communicate Ameren's competitive business advantages; facilitate the negotiation of Ameren energy and service agreements; support customer energy and technology solutions; implement proactive community and business development outreach strategies to drive lead generation; support service area investment/job creation and public policy implementation; and help foster positive community stewardship on behalf of Ameren's family of companies.

Key responsibilities include:

• Implement business-to-business strategies to attract new business location, encourage expansion/reinvestment of existing customers and serve as a channel to identify new opportunities for revenue and growth for Ameren companies.
• Provide technical support and leadership to elected officials and state/local/regional development organizations to enhance market capacity and development resources to compete for business attraction, expansion and retention.
• Take lead in representing and communicating Ameren business segment and service area competitive business advantages to the marketplace and serve as the portal for business development opportunities and value-added services to commercial and industrial customers.
• Respond to requests for proposals and provide technical support, (including data, energy rate analysis, and infrastructure review), project management coordination and service level agreements with new and expanding businesses seeking investment and growth in the Ameren service territory.
• Originate and support customer centric development strategies and energy technology applications among specific industry sectors that are consistent with the Ameren service area customer base in order to enhance customer service experience.
• Lead joint strategic planning with key account personnel to develop and support mutual performance and financial objectives, customer satisfaction ratings and both short and long term account management milestones.
• Coordinate the delivery of energy services and respond to customer requirements in cooperation with Energy Operations and Key Account personnel to meet line extension deadlines and deployment of emerging electric/natural gas energy technologies.
• Strengthen Ameren's collaborative relationships with local, regional elected leaders, economic development allies and state agencies to advance Ameren's business growth and public policy objectives.
• All regularly assigned duties of the Business Development Executive (Professional level) with additional duties as herewith identified.
• Provide counsel for key business development and attraction strategies that need to be undertaken by the Ameren Economic & Technology Function.
• Responsible for planning, budgeting and managing the implementation of specific community/business development programs across the organization with accountability for reporting on results and effectiveness.
• Speak for Ameren on behalf of community/business development programs among state/regional/local stakeholders. Determine and authorize partnership opportunities and Ameren financial participation for specific program activities.
• Engage in contracts for ad placement and partnership programs as deemed necessary to advance Ameren business and economic development activities.
• Qualify and determine Ameren capital funding authorization for local/regional economic development programs and organizations.
• Coach and mentor other Business Development Executives as they respond to prospect RFI's and prepare proposals for existing/prospective Commercial/Industrial customers.
• Help lead joint strategic planning activities with Ameren Key Account personnel and other Ameren personnel resulting in pursuit of new business/technology development applications/programs.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required. Master's degree in business, urban planning, real estate, public administration, finance or marketing preferred. Certifications from recognized industry organizations (i.e. planning, economic development, project management professional, real estate, etc.) preferred. Eight or more years of relevant experience required (e.g., business development, economic development). Experience within the utility industry is preferred.

In addition to the above qualifications, the successful candidate will demonstrate:

Excellent working knowledge of utility industry, Ameren policies, procedures and regulatory matters and electric/natural gas rate applications; Capable of responding to Industrial/Commercial prospect RFI proposals without supervision and leading prospect development through complex steps of the business location, construction and operating stages for handoff to operating segments; Proven trust among state/community officials in leading business development projects on behalf of Ameren and mobilizing appropriate Ameren resources/policies resulting in new business location and existing business expansion; Proven business management skills including budget preparation, project management, strategy development and personnel development; Actively engaged in cross-functional programs within Ameren to communicate economic development perspectives and help advise broader Ameren strategy discussion; and the following Ameren competencies: Think Customer, Inspire and Engage, Foster Innovation, Drive Results, Champion Learning, Build Trust, and Be Strategic.

Additional Information

Ameren's selection process includes a series of interviews and may include a leadership assessment process. Specific details will be provided to qualified candidates.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, genetic information, military service or status, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other class, trait, or status protected by law.