UCOP seeks an Associate Vice President of Energy & Sustainability

Associate Vice President of Energy & Sustainability
The University of California, Office of the President invites qualified candidates to apply for a newly created leadership opportunity: Associate Vice President- Energy & Sustainability. The University of California is the state’s premier public research university and one of its largest employers. Our campuses are routinely ranked among the best in the world. The Office of the President is the systemwide headquarters of the University of California, managing its fiscal and business operations, supporting the academic and research missions across its ten campuses, labs and five medical centers.

Reporting to the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, the successful individual serves as a visionary leader and executive-level ambassador who will continue and expand the University of California's leadership role in energy and sustainability. The AVP creates collaborative opportunities among UC campus and medical center representatives from capital programs, sustainability offices, real estate, planning, facilities services, transportation, procurement, finance and other constituencies, including representatives and experts among the University’s faculty and researchers, to engage in cross-functional planning, problem-solving and innovation. 

Responsibilities include: 

• Collaborative Leadership: Leverage the robust and leading-edge programs and practices at campuses and medical centers. Convene operational experts, researchers and key stakeholders to further UC’s progress toward aggressive sustainability and energy goals 
• Lead and Oversee UC’s Carbon Neutrality Strategy: Oversee the refinement and implementation of the strategy and milestones needed to achieve carbon neutrality goals established by UC leadership. Oversee development of potential funding strategies and sources to effect carbon mitigation. Oversee the development and execution of a long term renewable energy strategy. Oversee work to support campuses and medical centers with resources for planning deep energy efficiency programs, zero net energy building projects and other renewable energy efficiency efforts. 
• Develop Energy Procurement & Hedging Strategy: Oversee the development and management of the procurement and hedging strategy for the University. Plan, budget, and manage commodity price risk mitigation procedures and metrics. Oversee commodity and UC equity position contract development, negotiation and execution. 
• Sustainability Program: Provide oversight and support to UCOP’s Office of Sustainability, which collaboratively develops, coordinates, and supports campus sustainability efforts throughout the UC system across the full range of sustainability areas. 
• Advocacy: In consultation with UC’s government relations leadership, represent UC’s interests and strategies with Federal and State government and regulatory agencies. Monitor regulatory actions and plans in greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, carbon mitigation, water efficiency, waste management, and other areas of utility and sustainability services. 
• People Management: Manage a team charged with implementing the University’s strategy and achieving the strategic goals. 

Qualifications for this role include: 

• Demonstrated understanding the interlocking roles that energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy infrastructure, energy utilities, sustainability, climate action, energy contracting and wholesale electricity markets play 
• Demonstrated knowledge of a wide variety of sustainable practices and programs including renewable energy and other non-carbon sources of electricity. Knowledge of regulatory environment and risks facing UC as an Energy Service Provider 
• Strong technical utility/ energy background regarding the use commodities markets and futures to hedge UC’s fuel and energy needs, including working knowledge of the regulatory agencies such as FERC, CAISO, CEC and CPUC          
• Sound financial management expertise and oversight of matters including developing financing scenarios for energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy infrastructure and related infrastructure maintenance initiatives 
• Ability to drive and implement energy and fuel acquisition strategies across the system 
• Carbon compliance experience including: full understanding of CARB and carbon allowance and off-set markets, a pulse on future direction of applicable regulations and facilitation of campus carbon market positions 
• Knowledge of real estate development, design, construction and facility operations, contracting related to design, construction, biogas development and operations, and strong negotiations skills Working knowledge of applicable laws, regulations and UC policies 

Knowledge/Experience and Education: 

• Bachelor’s Degree required; MBA or Master’s Degree preferred 
• Engineering, Sciences, Business and/or Management desired 
• Sustainability emphasis desired (i.e., sustainability-oriented degree programs) 
• Past experience with natural gas procurement preferred 
• 10+ years’ experience in energy 
• 10+ years’ experience in sustainable practices/policies 
• 5+ years in an energy sales and or commodity product structuring role desirable 
• 5+ years’ people management and/or account management experience 

For details on how to apply, please visit: http://tinyurl.com/owmjkzq and search for the position title above.