Contracts & Credit Manager

Closes: May 6, 2025

Starting Range: $96,517 to $144,406

Full Range: $96,517 to $178,999

Job Description

Oversee all aspects of credit risk management related to the company’s energy trading and commercial operations. The role will focus on identifying, analyzing and mitigating credit risks associated with energy counterparties and financial institutions. This role requires in-depth knowledge of the energy markets, credit risk frameworks, and the regulatory environment.

Responsibilities

• Monitors counterparty dynamics and portfolio positions in order to minimize credit risk through proper collateral coverage by negotiating letters of credit, guaranties, and cash transfers. Receives and defends margin calls with the goal of protecting Avista’s capital. Makes margin calls in order to minimize default exposure risk.
• Represents the company on credit matters with all significant counterparties.
• Conducts financial analysis of counterparties’ financial statements to assess their creditworthiness. Analyzes credit risk trends and makes or approves credit limit recommendations within established guidelines, balancing Avista’s wholesale market objectives and risk mitigation goals.
• Review Wholesale Energy Contracts. Identify and recommend needed changes to existing contracts. Analyze and recommend the type of contract to be entered into, after considering such factors as market liquidity needs and credit risk.
• Supports utility retail business needs related to credit risk, such as developers who may be extended credit by Avista for infrastructure and suppliers that the company intends to develop long-term reliance upon.
• Provides support for daily risk functions, such as physical/financial position reports, support for risk management system users, performing daily review and investigative processes to ensure accuracy, integrity and validity of system data and inputs, and other risk management functions.
• Negotiate Wholesale Energy Contracts. Identify and recommend needed changes to existing contracts. Analyze, recommend, approve and provide notification to leadership on the type of contract to be entered into, after considering such factors as market liquidity needs and credit risk.
• Oversees and directs analysis efforts to identify and implement opportunities for evaluating credit collateral, gas and power positions, and market movements.
• Ensure compliance with regulations and monitor adherence to contractual terms.
• Prepares reports for management and external parties, including banks and rating agencies.
  
  
  

Requirements

Contracts & Credit Manager II:

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university in business, finance or related field
• 5 year of relevant experience in credit management or a related field is required
• Requires an advanced understanding of all aspects of credit management and the ability to work effectively within the organization to perform the functions outlined above
• Requires working knowledge of contract development process and contract terms related to wholesale energy markets
• Skilled in effective and flexible written and verbal communication and negotiations
• Effective interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to handle tight deadlines and emerging critical issues, often under pressure
• Ability to analyze data, financial statements, and market trends to inform negotiation strategies
• Knowledge of industry’s standards, practices, and market conditions
  
  
  

Contracts & Credit Manager III

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university in business, finance or related field
• 7 year of relevant experience in credit management or a related field is required
• Requires the competence and skill to lead all aspects of credit management and represent the company with external parties
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within the organization to perform and lead the functions outlined above
• Requires in-depth working knowledge of credit analysis, contract development process and contract terms related to wholesale energy markets
• Demonstrated skill in negotiating credit positions with counterparties, interpersonal skill to manage corporate credit positions, proven track record to develop credit strategies that support corporate objectives
• Demonstrated ability to address emerging issues related to energy commodities transactions and market operations that are significant to the corporation and its business decisions
• Ability to successfully develop and manage relationships at all levels of the organization and influence a variety of stakeholders
• Effective and flexible written and verbal communication skills, independent decision making
• Advanced level of technical expertise; initiative, ownership, and accountability; leadership, which can be demonstrated through directing the work of others, leading projects and/or processes, being the official or unofficial team lead
  
  
  

Other Combinations Of Education And Experience May Be Considered.

Hybrid work options are available for this role. The successful candidate will be required to work at our Spokane, Washington headquarters at least 3 days per week including Mondays and Tuesdays with an additional day determined by the employee and manager.

To Apply

We encourage you to apply as many of our positions have step progressions to account for an incoming employee’s various levels of knowledge, skills, and experience.

Complete an online application and attach your resume and cover letter to your profile. All documents must be attached to your application at the time of submitting your application for review. No documents can be attached after you click "Submit".

Benefits

At Avista, we believe our employees are essential. Through them we deliver value to our customers and the communities we serve. The physical, mental, and financial health and well-being of our employees and their families are important to us. We are committed to offering a comprehensive total rewards program comprised of an externally competitive, internally equitable compensation structure and a benefits package that allows us to retain and attract a diverse, engaged, and skilled workforce. Our benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage, retirement benefits, incentive plans, wellness resources, time-off programs and much more. In addition to our total rewards program, the Pacific Northwest offers abundant outdoor recreation, four distinct seasons, and all the amenities and activities an individual or family might be interested in. To learn more, please visit our benefits website at https://avistabenefits.com/.

Pre-employment Screening Requirements

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a drug test, background check and motor vehicle records review.

Avista’s Commitment to Equal Opportunity

Avista is a safe, inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds, and we are committed to Equal Opportunity Employment. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, sensory, mental or physical disability (unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification), Veteran status or any other classification protected by nondiscrimination laws.

Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you require any special accommodations to participate fully in our recruitment process. Avista will make reasonable accommodation to assist a qualified person with a disability in the job application, interview process, and to perform the essential functions of the job whenever possible, where undue hardship would not be created for Avista. Please contact us at humanresources@avistacorp.com if you would like assistance.