Economic Development Director Jobs in Hamden, CT

At 1898 & Co., part of Burns & McDonnell, we help clients navigate the rapidly evolving energy landscape through integrated advisory services spanning Power & Fuels, Renewables, Power Markets, and Utility Finance. As part of Burns & McDonnell, our Energy Advisory team brings together technical rigor, commercial insight, and strategic thinking to support utilities, developers, and investors addressing today’s most complex energy challenges.

We are seeking a Director of Energy Advisory for the Northeast Region, based in Wallingford, Connecticut, with opportunities in Morristown, New Jersey; Boston, Massachusetts; or Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. This senior leadership role is responsible for the regional strategy, people leadership, and operational oversight of Energy Advisory services across the Northeast. The Director will lead and grow a high-performing consulting organization while ensuring alignment with firm priorities, strong talent development, and consistent delivery excellence across the Energy Advisory portfolio.

The Director will play a key role in shaping the future growth of Energy Advisory services in the Northeast by aligning talent, capabilities, and market opportunities to support long-term business objectives.

This role emphasizes regional leadership, staff development, organizational growth, and client impact while providing strategic oversight of project execution and delivery excellence. The Director serves as a key partner to Energy Advisory managing directors, business line leaders, and client engagement teams. Our Energy Advisory team delivers services to the utility industry, including project development, asset management, transmission advisory, market strategy, and economic evaluations.

As the Director of Energy Advisory, you will provide strategic direction, managerial leadership, and operational oversight for Energy Advisory services in the Northeast Region, including Power & Fuels, Renewables, Power Markets, and Utility Finance.

• Develop and execute a regional Energy Advisory strategy aligned with firmwide objectives and Energy Advisory business line priorities.
• Support growth initiatives by aligning regional capabilities, staffing, and expertise with market demand and client needs.
• Partner with managing directors and business line leaders to advance strategic initiatives and strengthen Energy Advisory’s presence in the Northeast.
• Promote the mission, values, and culture of Burns & McDonnell and 1898 & Co., modeling strong leadership and collaboration.

• Provide leadership, mentorship, and direction to Energy Advisory consultants and analysts across multiple disciplines.
• Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing consulting talent to support current and future regional needs.
• Conduct performance reviews, career development discussions, and regular one-on-one engagements with staff.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance culture consistent with 1898 & Co.’s traits of tenacious problem solving, curiosity, collaboration, and grit.
• Support onboarding, training, and professional development initiatives across the region.
• Drive continuous improvement in talent development, delivery consistency, and organizational effectiveness.

• Provide oversight of staffing strategies, workload balancing, and resource planning across Energy Advisory engagements in the Northeast.
• Collaborate with delivery leaders to ensure teams are appropriately staffed based on skills, experience, and development goals.
• Monitor utilization and capacity trends, proactively identifying risks and opportunities related to staffing and growth.
• Support the establishment and use of consistent delivery practices, quality standards, and operational processes across Energy Advisory work.

• Serve as a senior Energy Advisory leader supporting client relationships and regional engagement strategy.
• Partner with client engagement and proposal teams to support pursuits and positioning for new Energy Advisory opportunities.
• Act as an escalation point for client delivery concerns as needed, focusing on resolution, communication, and long-term client success.
• Promote cross-collaboration with adjacent business lines to support integrated solutions and expanded client impact.

• Provide expert consulting and technical guidance across a range of services within the electric utility industry.
• Support engineering, economic, and consulting studies.
• Champion innovation and strategic thinking within technical project work.

Candidates may not possess every experience or skill listed below, but experience in several of these areas will help position them for success in this role.

• Experience leading consulting, engineering, advisory, or professional services organizations within the utility, energy, infrastructure, or related industries.
• Demonstrated success managing and developing multidisciplinary teams, including responsibility for staffing, performance management, succession planning, and employee development.
• Experience developing and executing business growth strategies, including market expansion, capability development, and alignment of resources with client demand.
• Strong understanding of one or more energy industry sectors such as Power & Fuels, Renewables, Power Markets, Utility Finance, Transmission Distribution, Asset Management, or Grid Modernization.
• Proven ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with utility executives, developers, investors, and other key industry stakeholders.
• Experience supporting business development activities, including client engagement, proposal strategy, capture planning, and pursuit leadership.
• Experience managing resource planning, workforce forecasting, utilization management, and operational performance within a consulting or professional services environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change, drive operational improvements, and implement scalable business processes.
• Strong executive communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence stakeholders across all levels of an organization.
• Experience leading geographically dispersed teams and fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture across multiple office locations.
• Ability to balance strategic leadership responsibilities with technical credibility and an understanding of client delivery challenges.
• Experience working with financial metrics, business performance indicators, budgeting, and organizational planning processes.
• Demonstrated commitment to developing future leaders through mentorship, coaching, and career development initiatives.
• Curiosity, adaptability, and a passion for helping organizations navigate the evolving energy landscape.

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business or related degree from an accredited program and 13 years relevant consulting experience required.
• Master's degree, MBA preferred.
• Excellent business acumen with proven success managing consulting engagements.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to quickly and efficiently interpret large data sets.
• Ability to uncover customer needs, develop recommendations and deliver them persuasively.
• Expert facilitation, collaboration, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong understanding of financial concepts.
• Excellent planning and analytical skills.
• Must demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills; strong interpersonal skills; and the ability to clearly and effectively present complex information to all levels of employees, management, and clients.

$230,000.00-400,000.00 Yearly

The expected compensation range for this position is displayed in compliance with all local/state regulations. The expected compensation range for this position is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: individual education, qualifications, prior work experience and work location. The total annual compensation package will consist of a base salary and eligibility to participate in our discretionary year-end incentive bonus program.

Our extensive benefits package takes care of you so that you can focus on doing great work. From insurance and disability to time off and wellness programs, we provide the tools to meet your needs. As part of being 100% employee-owned, eligible employees participate in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in addition to our 401(k) retirement program. For more information, please visit the Benefits & Wellness page.

This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.

EEO/Disabled/Veterans

US-CT-Wallingford

US-NJ-Morristown

Schedule: Full-time

Travel: Yes, 50 % of the Time

1898 & Co. is a business, technology and security solutions consultancy where experience and foresight come together to unlock lasting advancements. We innovate today to fuel our clients’ future growth, catalyzing insights that drive smarter decisions, improve performance and maximize value. As part of Burns & McDonnell, we draw on more than 120 years of deep and broad experience in complex industries as we envision and enable the future for our clients.