Director Grid Strategy and Emerging Technology

About the Role

The role provides visionary and strategic leadership for Distributed Energy Resources (DER) integration, energy storage, and grid operations. It leads an engineering team responsible for developing, implementing, and managing new industry technologies, including DER, electric battery storage systems, and electric vehicle integration. Key duties include primary accountability for DER interconnection processes and compliance, deployment of emerging DER pilots, and development of platform requirements. The leader evaluates financial impacts, drives regulatory and operational plans, oversees battery storage system deployment, and leads research collaborations with organizations such as EPRI and NREL. Additional responsibilities cover public and regulatory advocacy, capital budgeting for distribution operations, and project management of capital initiatives. The position also focuses on organizational effectiveness by recruiting, retaining, and developing a high‑performing, diverse team. It ensures clear communication of vision, mission, and objectives, establishes efficient working relationships, and maintains compliance with tariffs, commission rules, and regulatory reporting requirements. • Lead DER interconnection process and ensure regulatory compliance • Deploy emerging DER pilots and demonstration projects • Develop technical requirements for new DER platforms • Analyze financial impacts and create operational/regulatory plans • Oversee deployment of company‑owned and front‑of‑meter battery storage • Investigate and evaluate new battery storage technologies • Manage research partnerships with EPRI, NREL, and similar entities • Represent Xcel Energy in public and regulatory forums on DER topics • Build and manage capital budgets for distribution operations • Direct project management for assigned capital projects • Recruit, retain, and develop a high‑performing, diverse engineering team • Maintain clear communication of organizational vision and objectives

Key Responsibilities

• ▸der interconnection
• ▸der pilots
• ▸battery deployment
• ▸battery tech
• ▸platform requirements
• ▸project management

What You Bring

Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field, ten years of electric delivery industry experience with at least five years in middle management, and proven expertise in energy storage, DER integration, and emerging technologies. Strong communication, influence, and safety management skills are required; an advanced degree and Professional Engineer license are preferred. • Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering or related field (required) • 10 years industry experience, 5 years middle‑management (required) • Proven expertise in energy storage, DER integration, emerging tech • Strong written and verbal communication and influence skills • Professional Engineer license and advanced degree (preferred)

Requirements

• ▸electrical engineering
• ▸10+ years
• ▸middle management
• ▸energy storage
• ▸der integration
• ▸pe license

Benefits

The anticipated base salary ranges from $148,400 to $210,733 annually, complemented by a comprehensive benefits package that includes incentive programs, health and dental plans, retirement options, paid time off, and various reimbursement accounts. Xcel Energy is an equal‑opportunity employer and provides accommodations for applicants with disabilities. • Annual Incentive Program and Long‑Term Incentive eligibility • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans • Retirement benefits including pension and 401(k) options • Paid Time Off, holidays, parental leave, and volunteer PTO

Work Environment

Hybrid