Managing Director, Rates & Regulatory

Managing Director, Rates & Regulatory

Position overview

Delta Utilities is seeking an experienced and dynamic Managing Director, Rates & Regulatory to play a critical role in leading and providing direction to the regulatory organization in all rates and regulatory activities, including regulatory filing activities, tariff administration activities, rate administration activities, Public Utility Commission (PUC) / New Orleans City Council (NOCC) activities and strategy planning and management activities for Company; including rider recovery filings for purchased gas, pipeline replacement and energy efficiency programs. rates ensuring the organization’s compliance with regulatory rate and ratemaking requirements and support strategic initiatives related to overall regulatory and ratemaking matters for natural gas utilities. This is a full-time position based in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

This individual will be responsible for managing and leading the regulatory affairs, regulatory, rates and rates & regulatory teams covering multiple natural gas utility companies. The Managing Director, Rates & Regulatory will lead, provide strategic direction and ensure collaboration amongst all internal Company organizations and external parties (legal counsel and expert witnesses) in the preparation, filing, litigation, litigation support and implementation of all related Company rate and regulatory filings with the PUC’s (Louisiana Public Service Commission and Mississippi Public Service Commission), NOCC and FERC, including developing, coordinating and representing the company interests in state regulatory and FERC filings. Participate as the Company’s witness or support Company witnesses in proceedings by developing, drafting, and reviewing testimony, supporting schedules, and Company position statements on any issue affecting Company operations. Provide vision and strategy to senior management and the regulatory organization related to developing and pursuing company goals and objectives, including identification of rate and tariff planning and revenue opportunities as well as risk identification and mitigation. Proactively review and provide supportive analysis, program design, regulatory support and execution related to rate filing and design strategies, including industry emergent rate matters. Advise functional teams supporting the business on regulatory issues and provide strategy development and support on legislative actions, state law, Public Utility Code, as well as FERC Rules, Policies and Compliance activities. Monitor peer company filings and activities on new rate mechanisms or regulatory constructs, innovative technologies, etc. and develop opportunities for the Company based on the regulatory and legislative landscape. Actively participate in state and national industry groups as the Company’s representative. Develop and maintain business party relationships which are supportive of Company image, reputation, and goals/objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise, develop, and implement regulatory strategy as identified through monitoring of regulatory and legislative proceedings at the state and federal level.  Develop company position statements on issues raised in these proceedings. Develop and implement innovative regulatory approaches to future rate making, cost recovery, innovative/new technologies, and environmental, social governance (ESG) efforts.
• Lead company participation and representation in all state and federal matters which may affect the Company’s overall interests.  Coordinate efforts with legal department resources.
• Monitor and support rate case and other ongoing regulatory filings.   Monitor ongoing peer company activities for future opportunities for the Company.
• Participate and represent the company in state and national industry and working groups (PUC, NOCC, PSC, FERC, and AGA, etc.). Develop and maintain business party relationships which are supportive of Company image, reputation, goals/objectives and influences regulatory policies.
• Lead regulatory organizations and cross-functional major workstreams, providing guidance to others (both internal and external to the group).
• Remains current on industry issues, proactively identifies emerging rules, and advises Company senior management how these issues may affect regulatory processes, suggesting proper ratemaking treatment
• Provide strategic leadership in the development and support for natural gas rate initiatives in New Orleans and the states of Louisiana and Mississippi, including preparation of complex regulatory filings
• Effectively and succinctly communicates complex regulatory and cost recovery concepts to broad and diverse internal and external audiences (Delta Utilities management, Delta Utilities Board, Delta Utilities customers, regulators, intervenors, etc.)
• Represent the company in regulatory proceedings, hearings, and meetings with regulatory agencies
• Identify potential regulatory issues and hurdles and propose solutions and strategies to overcome barriers
• Leads, provides guidance and reviews data requests from intervenors; identify emerging trends or issues; coordinate with external stakeholders on the discovery process and collaborate internally to ensure resolution
• Responsible for ensuring the implementation of regulatory orders and the on-going monitoring of company’s compliance with all rate related regulatory requirements, including the preparation and submission of necessary reports, filings, and documentation
• Develop and present policy recommendations to senior management and regulatory bodies
• Participate in industry forums and conferences to stay informed of regulatory trends and best practices

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, economics, accounting, mathematics or a related field required.
• Desired: Degree in Law, MBA or CPA and relevant utility regulatory experience highly desired and preferred

• 12 plus years of previous work experience working in the utility industry with knowledge related to rate and regulatory matters; creating and maintaining relationships with regulatory bodies; legal, rates, operations, sales and / or accounting experience in the energy industry; rates and / or regulatory submissions and filings; and direct interaction with regulatory authorities
• 10 plus years of supervisory experience in leading, developing and coaching teams

About Delta Utilities

Delta Utilities is a leading utility with a core focus on natural gas distribution. Headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, the utility will serve nearly 600,000 customers and become one of the leading natural gas providers in Louisiana and Mississippi, as well as one of the top 40 providers in the United States.

In 2023, Entergy announced that it had entered into an agreement with Delta Utilities to sell its Louisiana gas distribution business. The natural gas utility currently serves more than 200,000 customers across East Baton Rouge and Orleans parishes. In February 2024, Delta Utilities entered into an agreement with CenterPoint Energy to acquire its Louisiana and Mississippi natural gas businesses, which currently serve approximately 381,000 customers. Once the transactions are complete, Entergy's Louisiana natural gas operations and CenterPoint Energy's Louisiana and Mississippi natural gas systems will be operated by Delta Utilities. Learn more: https://deltautilities.com/

Delta Utilities and associated entities are equal-opportunity employers. We do not discriminate against employees or employment applicants on any legally recognized basis or any protected class under federal, state, or local law.

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