Business Development Executive

About Us

Ameren is a leader in the energy industry, and our transformation toward more clean, renewable energy is also  transforming other industries and infrastructure in our communities.  As a regional company serving local customers, we not only serve our communities, we're a part of them. This isn't just a job. At Ameren, we invest in you, so you can power the quality of life you want.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is one of the core values that guides us in everything we do. We are committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that brings diverse perspectives to every area of our business.

Our benefits include:

• Medical coverage on date of hire
• 100% employer paid cash balance pension plan
• 401(k) with company match fully vested on date of hire
• Minimum of 15 days paid vacation and 12 paid holidays
• Paid parental leave and family caregiver leave

About Ameren Illinois

Ameren Illinois provides electric transmission and distribution service and natural gas distribution service. Every day, we deliver electricity to 1.2 million electric and 816,000 natural gas customers in central and southern Illinois. We deliver safe, reliable energy to more than 1,200 communities. 

About The Position

The Business Development Executive (BDE) serves as a member of the Economic Development team and is responsible for keeping energy rates affordable by creating and sustaining Ameren revenue through partnerships with our service territory communities to drive new business growth in the Ameren Illinois service area. The position will 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. The position serves as the face of the company and first point of contact for prospective customers which is critical to build customer support for key strategic efforts including the clean energy transition, future of natural gas, integrated system planning and regulatory framework.

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.
• Speak for Ameren on behalf of community/business development programs among state/regional/local stakeholders, providing technical support and leadership to enhance market capacity and development resources to compete for business attraction, expansion, and retention.
• Lead specific programs, initiatives, and project activities, such as site development/site readiness initiatives and large load project management as assigned.
• 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 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-term 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.
• Speak on behalf of Ameren business segments on matters of policies, rates and service agreements at the highest levels of a customer's (and prospective customer's) organization.
• Administer and communicate Ameren policies, rates and service agreements on behalf of Ameren business segments.
• Take lead on development prospect RFI responses and provide necessary project management in cooperation with Energy Operations and other internal resources.
• Build progressively more practical experience working with large commercial and industrial clients across multiple areas of the business and technology development process gaining better understanding of company policies/procedures, rates and operations, including data collection, community development outreach.

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. Five 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 the utility industry, Ameren policies, procedures and regulatory matters and electric/natural gas rate applications. Capability 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. Ability to actively engage in cross-functional programs to communicate economic development perspectives. The following Ameren competencies: Be Strategic, Continuously Improve, Deliver Results, Engage Respectfully, Foster Collaboration and Think Customer.

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.

* Successful candidate will be hired in at level appropriate job level according to experience*

**Other Ameren Illinois offices may be considered based upon mutual agreement between hiring leader and successful candidate; Springfield and Collinsville are preferred locations.

*** This is a hybrid position with 3 days in the office and 2 days remote***

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

Tuesday November 26, 2024

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.