Xcel Energy

Director (Strategic Planning & Portfolio Analysis)

Xcel Energy$148K — $210K *
Energy & Utilities
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
  • 10+ years in the utility industry; 5+ years of leadership experience, particularly in strategy development.
  • Strong expertise in regulatory finance and capital budget planning for energy assets.
  • Experience in asset lifecycle analysis and business case development is preferred.
  • Project management experience for cross-functional or cross-commodity initiatives preferred.
  • Proficiency in budgeting software (e.g., Unifier, Tamcast).
  • Excellent organizational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute a risk-informed project prioritization process for the strategic budget cycle.
  • Influence multi-year budget plans for system transformation while ensuring reliability and cost-effectiveness.
  • Perform lifecycle analysis to assess long-term asset needs and modernization options.
  • Lead strategic cross-commodity project management initiatives for Planning and Operations alignment.
  • Drive continuous improvement to enhance financial opportunities and mitigate operational risks.
  • Align project portfolios with the company's strategic objectives and ensure regulatory compliance.
  • Deliver analytics for capital and O&M budgets, collaborating with Operations and CFO.

Benefits

  • Annual Incentive Program and Long Term Incentive.
  • Comprehensive medical, pharmacy, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Health Savings Account and various reimbursement accounts for dependent care and health care.
  • Short- and long-term disability coverage, and Employee Assistance Program.
  • Tuition reimbursement and fitness center reimbursement offerings.
  • 401(k) plan and pension options, alongside paid time off and holidays.
  • Volunteering paid time off and parental leave support.
Full Job Description
Position Summary

Design and implement a strategic approach to aggregation and prioritization of the 5-year strategic plan across Operations encompassing the Generation, Transmission, Distribution, Gas and Nuclear organizations. Develop unique methods, evaluation criteria and solutions to assemble, model and prioritize the capital and operations and maintenance budgets for the multi-year planning cycle. Prioritizes the projects and programs across the company portfolios to balance risk, system reliability, resource adequacy, technological innovation, financial investment, customer cost, and executability. Conduct asset and technology lifecycle analysis to inform long-term resource planning and modernization strategies. Provide project management and strategic support on cross-commodity planning and execution. Leads a team of budget planning professionals and analysts. Liaison Operations, the Operating Companies, and CFO organizations to achieve financial and operational objectives.

Essential Responsibilities
  • Develop, manage, and execute a risk-informed project prioritization process, across all projects in the Operations enterprise, to rationalize projects in the 5-year strategic budget cycle and enable precision in investment decisions.
  • Influence multi-year budget plans that enable system transformation while balancing system reliability and customer cost, in partnership with Operations.
  • Perform asset and technology lifecycle analysis to evaluate long-term needs, replacement strategies, and modernization opportunities across multiple Operating Companies and commodities.
  • Lead strategic cross-commodity project management to ensure alignment, integration, and coordinated execution of major Planning and Operations initiatives. This could include leadership around resource adequacy, AI tools, and strategic regulatory initiatives.
  • Drive change and produce recommendation through continuous improvement of existing analytical structures and development of strategies to generate financial opportunity and mitigate risk in Company Operations.
  • Enable a project portfolio that aligns with the strategic objectives of the company, notably successful execution by Operations and regulatory effectiveness by the Operating Companies.
  • Deliver rate case quality asset and project analytics on capital and O&M budgets for the financial planning cycle, in partnership with Operations, Operating Companies and the CFO office.
  • Develop robust business cases and frameworks on investment analysis and strategic decisions regarding capital allocation, technology adoption, and resource strategy. Develop and provide discovery responses and/or written testimony in support of regulatory proceedings.
  • Seek, propose, and execute innovative ideas for aligning budget creation across the enterprise with common data, processes, and tools. Benchmark internally across business units, and externally across peer utilities to establish a center of excellence for budget planning and strategic analysis.
  • Establish partnership with internal stakeholders to facilitate key enterprise strategic discussions including the Planning Summit and Peer Review.
  • Lead miscellaneous special projects to enhance and expand the effectiveness of the Integrated System Planning organization.


Minimum Requirements
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Business, or related discipline from an accredited college or university. Advanced degree preferred.
  • Minimum of 10 years' experience required in the utility industry. Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience, preferably including strategy development and implementation. Strong financial acumen desired.
  • Expertise in regulatory finance, regulatory accounting, regulatory rate making, and/or strategic capital budget planning for energy assets.
  • Experience with asset lifecycle analysis, business case development, or strategic investment evaluation preferred.
  • Project management experience preferred, including cross-function or cross-commodity initiatives.
  • Preferred experience with accounting and budgeting software tools, such as Unifier, Tamcast, Workbook and/or Power Plan.
  • Demonstrated organizational, leadership, written, and verbal communications skills.


Preferred Requirements
  • Utility Finance Leadership experience.


Non-Bargaining

The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $148,400.00 to $210,733.33 per year

This position is eligible for the following benefits: Annual Incentive Program, Long Term Incentive, Medical/Pharmacy Plan, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Care Reimbursement Account, Health Care Reimbursement Account, Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA), Transportation Reimbursement Account, Short-term disability (STD), Long-term disability (LTD), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Tuition reimbursement, Transit programs, Employee recognition program, Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays, Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO), Parental Leave

Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.

In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Deadline to Apply: 07/14/26

About Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy Careers

Join the dynamic team at Xcel Energy, where innovation meets expertise in the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions. As a leading energy company, Xcel Energy offers unparalleled job opportunities that empower professionals to advance their careers while contributing to environmental stewardship.

Work You’ll Do

At Xcel Energy, you’ll collaborate with skilled professionals dedicated to pioneering advancements in the energy sector. Our team is at the forefront of developing sustainable energy technologies that revolutionize how people consume energy. By joining us, you will be part of a culture that values diversity, leadership, and professional growth.

Innovate and Lead

Step into a role where your skills will directly enhance our capabilities in delivering reliable and sustainable energy. Xcel Energy is a hub for innovation, where your ideas can lead to groundbreaking solutions that shape the future of energy. Our leadership is committed to fostering an environment where creativity and strategic thinking are at the core of our operations.

Career Development

Xcel Energy is deeply invested in the professional development of its team members. With a variety of career paths available, from engineering to customer service, your journey with us is filled with endless possibilities. We support your growth with robust training programs, leadership development opportunities, and diversity training that prepare you for success.

Join Our Team

Explore the numerous employment opportunities at Xcel Energy, from entry-level positions to senior roles. We are hiring individuals who are passionate about making a difference and ready to contribute their expertise to our mission of delivering safe, clean, and reliable energy.

Internship Programs

Kickstart your career with an internship at Xcel Energy. Our internships provide hands-on experience in real-world projects that matter. You’ll gain invaluable insights into the energy sector while developing essential skills that will enhance your resume and increase your marketability.

Benefits and Culture

Xcel Energy is not just about work; we care about our employees' well-being. We offer competitive benefits, including health care, retirement plans, and wellness programs, designed to keep you at your best. Our inclusive culture encourages collaboration and offers networking opportunities that foster connections and professional growth.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest at Xcel Energy: - **Search Xcel Energy Jobs**: Find positions that match your skills and interests. We look for driven, curious, and innovative team players. - **Read Careers Blog**: Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. - **Job Alert Emails**: Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at Xcel Energy. Join Xcel Energy today and be part of a team that is dedicated to building a sustainable future. Your career at Xcel Energy is not just a job; it’s an opportunity to excel in an environment that appreciates your contribution and supports your professional growth.
Learn more about Xcel Energy
Size
11,321 employees
Market Cap
$38.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$1.4 billion
Founded
2000
5 Year Trend
+3.9%
Revenue
$11.5 billion
NASDAQ

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