Economic Development Manager Jobs in Portland, ME

Join our growing team and discover why Summit Utilities, Inc. continues to earn national and regional recognition as an employer of choice. Our recognitions include Best Places to Work in Maine (2019–2025); Best Places to Work in Arkansas (2020, 2023, 2025); Best Places to Work in Oklahoma (2022–2025); Best Places to Work in Missouri (2023 and 2026); Best Places to Work in Colorado (2025); Forbes America’s Best Small Employers (2023); and, most recently, Proud and Purposeful Employer (2026).

Summit is a growing natural gas utility that’s committed to delivering reliable energy to homes and businesses in Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. Being part of the Summit team means embracing excellence and innovation, committing to safety each and every day, and doing all that we can to serve each other, our customers, and the communities where we live. We aim to bring warmth and energy to everything we do.

We are pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for a Vice President of Customer Development and Growth to join our team. The preferred location for this role is Little Rock, AR; however, we will consider candidates based in one of our offices in Arkansas, Maine, or Oklahoma, or remotely from Texas.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Vice President of Customer Development & Growth leads Summit’s enterprise customer growth, market development, customer development, and energy efficiency strategies across its multi-state footprint. This role advances sustainable customer growth, expands natural gas adoption, strengthens customer and community relationships, and aligns initiatives with Summit’s business, operational, regulatory, and long-term growth objectives.

The Vice President leads Customer Development and Energy Efficiency/Conservation Improvement Program (EE/CIP) teams and partners with Operations, Regulatory, Finance, Legal, Communications, Government Affairs, and executive leadership to evaluate opportunities, support regulatory strategy, and deliver customer-focused solutions. This executive leader represents Summit with customers, developers, municipalities, policymakers, industry groups, and community partners while promoting safe, reliable, cost-effective, and innovative energy solutions.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Enterprise Strategy and Executive Leadership

• Set and lead Summit’s enterprise customer development, growth, and energy efficiency strategy.
• Translate corporate priorities into actionable growth plans, performance measures, and team goals.
• Advise executive leadership on market opportunities, regulatory considerations, risks, and investment priorities.
• Monitor industry trends, customer needs, regulatory developments, and emerging technologies to inform strategy.

Business Development and Growth

• Lead identification, evaluation, prioritization, and execution of growth opportunities across residential, commercial, industrial, municipal, and strategic account segments.
• Expand Summit’s customer base, increase natural gas adoption, and support economically viable growth.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Finance, Regulatory, and Legal to assess feasibility, economics, risk, and execution plans.
• Build strategic relationships with developers, municipalities, builders, trade organizations, economic development entities, and other external partners.

Customer Engagement and Retention

• Strengthen customer relationships, improve customer experience, and support long-term retention.
• Oversee engagement strategies for key accounts, growth customers, developers, municipalities, and strategic stakeholders.
• Guide tailored customer solutions that align with Summit’s operational, financial, and regulatory requirements.
• Use customer feedback, satisfaction trends, and service issues to identify improvement opportunities.

Market Analysis and Opportunity Identification

• Analyze market trends, economic development activity, competitor activity, customer demand, regulatory changes, and energy policy developments.
• Lead efforts to develop programs, incentives, and initiatives that encourage natural gas adoption in high-potential markets.
• Establish KPIs and reporting to evaluate growth outcomes, program effectiveness, and return on investment.
• Present market insights, performance trends, risks, and recommendations to executive leadership.

Regulatory and Stakeholder Management

• Partner with Regulatory, Legal, Government Affairs, and Operations to align growth and energy efficiency strategies with applicable requirements.
• Support regulatory filings, stakeholder communications, and policy discussions related to growth, energy efficiency, conservation, and market development.
• Represent Summit with regulators, policymakers, municipalities, industry groups, customers, and community leaders.
• Manage regulatory and stakeholder risks before they affect business objectives.

Team Leadership and Organizational Development

• Lead, develop, and hold accountable a multi-state Customer Development and EE/CIP organization.
• Build leadership capability, succession depth, technical expertise, and clear performance expectations.
• Foster collaboration, accountability, innovation, integrity, safety, and customer focus.
• Promote cross-functional alignment and disciplined execution across operating jurisdictions.

Sustainability, Energy Efficiency, and Innovation

• Oversee Summit’s energy efficiency and conservation programs across applicable jurisdictions.
• Align EE/CIP programs with regulatory requirements, customer needs, sustainability goals, and company objectives.
• Evaluate renewable natural gas, hydrogen, energy efficiency, and other emerging solutions where practical.
• Promote energy solutions that balance affordability, reliability, regulatory expectations, and environmental considerations.

Financial and Operational Oversight

• Provide financial stewardship for growth, customer development, and energy efficiency programs, including budgets, forecasts, resources, and performance expectations.
• Ensure growth initiatives are supported by economic analysis, cost-benefit evaluation, and risk assessment.
• Monitor performance against approved plans and recommend corrective actions when needed.
• Report to executive leadership on performance, risks, opportunities, and strategic adjustments.

Crisis, Issue, and Risk Management

• Provide executive oversight for customer development issues, escalations, complaints, and crisis situations.
• Mitigate customer, regulatory, reputational, operational, and financial risks tied to growth and customer development activities.
• Partner with Communications, Operations, Legal, Regulatory, and executive leadership on customer-related communications during disruptions or high-profile matters.

Innovation and Technology Integration

• Champion data analytics, customer insights, digital tools, and technology to improve strategy and execution.
• Evaluate tools that enhance engagement, streamline processes, improve reporting, and support decision-making.
• Promote continuous improvement and scalable processes across the customer development function.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree required, degree in business administration, engineering, energy management, or related field preferred. Advanced degrees, such as an MBA, preferred.
• Minimum of 12 years of experience in customer development, business development, utility operations, or commercial functions, preferably in the natural gas or energy sector.
• Minimum of 7 years of leadership experience, including leading managers, cross-functional teams, multi-state programs, or large strategic initiatives.
• Experience in regulatory environments, stakeholder engagement, customer acquisition/retention programs, and executive-level presentations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of natural gas utility operations, distribution systems, market dynamics, and energy regulations.
• Expertise in business development, strategic planning, customer relationship management, and energy efficiency program management.
• Awareness of sustainability practices, renewable energy options, and emerging energy technologies.

Skills

• Strong leadership, communication, presentation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret market trends, customer needs, performance data, and financial information.
• Proficiency in budgeting, resource allocation, governance, and performance management.

Abilities

• Build trusted relationships with internal leaders, regulators, customers, and community stakeholders.
• Manage complex initiatives, adapt to changing market and regulatory conditions, and align work with organizational goals.
• Anticipate growth opportunities and lead practical, innovative solutions.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of all personnel so classified.

Summit offers competitive pay and medical/dental/vision and other benefits that provide flexibility, choice, and support to our employees when they need it most. We understand that home and family are essential pieces of your life, and our benefits are designed to support you both at work and at home.

Summit Utilities, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability or veteran status.