Utility Engagement Associate

Reports To: Sr. Manager, Utility & Government Affairs

This role requires a full-time onsite presence in Durham, NC with some travel required

Target Base Range: $90k-$100k

Please note:
We are only able to consider candidates who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (green card holders) and who do not require current or future visa sponsorship of any sort.

Utility Engagement Associate on the Strategic Partnerships team advances relationships with utilities and energy stakeholders to accelerate the interconnection timeline and deployment of our EV Charging network. This position will work closely with the design and deployment team to support utility coordination throughout the life of each project. The role involves strategic coordination and ability to build relationships to drive actions that ensure successful collaboration between IONNA and utility partners.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, along with a high level of organization and comfort working with metrics and KPIs, are essential to building trust, aligning expectations, and driving timely, efficient outcomes.

• Build and Manage Utility Partner Relationships:
• Manage relationships with electric utilities, energy providers, and trade associations to share growth plans by territory and drive development timelines.
• Coordinate meetings, presentations, and follow-ups with utility stakeholders.
• Project Tracking
• Monitor and drive accelerated interconnection timelines, ensuring development milestones are met.
• Update utility partners as projects move through each phase of design and construction. Use regular touchpoints to highlight risks, delays, and achievements to keep all parties aligned on project timelines.
• Reporting:
• Maintain databases of utility contacts, agreements, and program details.
• Generate reports and dashboards on interconnection timelines by phase and communicate the findings to internal and external stakeholders to drive strategic actions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
• Work closely with internal teams (Deployment, Operations, Facilities, Finance) to provide points of contact for utility support and drive actions to get sites live.
• Provide summaries of rate structures, and regulatory developments impacting EV charging to cross-functional teams.
• Ensure accurate and timely communication across departments.

Develop relationships with utility partners to help get sites live.

• Decrease average interconnection timeline.
• Sites Live.
• Decrease number of sites delayed/killed because of power constraint.

• Bachelor’s degree in Energy, Business, Public Policy, or related field.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in utility engagement, energy programs, or partnerships.
• Strong communication and organizational skills are important in this role.
• Comfort working across teams and managing multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with data analysis and communicating results to build a narrative and drive action.

• Strong understanding of electric utility operations and regulatory frameworks.
• Familiarity with EV charging technologies and load management.

IONNA is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices through a competitive base salary, as well as offering bonus programs, comprehensive benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, 401(k), and paid holidays.

Actual base salaries are based on several factors unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, experience, certifications and specific work location. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse team.

We are committed to an inclusive and diverse team. IONNA is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any legally protected status.