Product Strategist

$110,000 - $130,000/Yr

Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) - Portland, OR

Full-time - Mid Level

Hybrid - Portland, OR

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The Product Strategist will be responsible for defining, developing, adapting, and deploying a coordinated market strategy to transform the market for NEEA's HVAC product group to sustainably embed more efficient products or practices in targeted markets. The Product Strategist is responsible for identifying a vision for a transformed market, long-term goals and strategies and programs that NEEA will operate within selected markets. They lead and coordinate market engagement to identify, build and maintain meaningful partnerships with market partners, such as manufacturers, distributors, retailers and trade allies. The Product Strategist collaborates closely with cross functional teams to ensure successful operationalizing of strategy and execution to deliver business results and short and long-term goals. This position requires a high level of interpersonal and influential leadership skills as well as interpersonal flexibility and versatility to work independently but also collaborate pro-actively within a matrixed team organization. The incumbent will share our deep commitment to diversity and inclusion and advancing practices, strategies and policies that achieve equitable outcomes for all.

Responsibilities

• Championing the implementation of the HVAC product group market strategy with cross-functional staff as it pertains to program implementation, product roadmaps, emerging technology, market research, marketing strategies or other internal activities.
• Using both internal and external analysis to develop a market transformation vision and comprehensive strategy for assigned product group(s) to provide a long-term view of trends, barriers and opportunities as part of a clear market transformation theory with key interventions and a desired end market state.
• Coordinating with product management and other team members to analyze product performance, competitiveness and trends in the marketplace and develop/adapt market strategies based on research and analysis.
• Defining goals and objectives for assessment and characterization of market opportunities in collaboration with NEEA's product management and market research and evaluation team members.
• Communicating NEEA's product group market strategy internally and externally including presenting at regional and national conferences.
• Building and maintaining relationships with HVAC industry market actors to learn about new opportunities, gain access to market data, influence plans and timelines for product development.

Requirements

• BA or BS degree in Marketing, Business, Economics, Engineering or related field required. MBA or Master's degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience with increasing responsibility in strategic management and product development for broad strategic markets, including market assessment, forecasting, risk-assessment and deep understanding of market transformation discipline.
• Familiarity and experience working with emerging technology, innovation, strategic marketing/planning and/or product development/commercialization/management.
• Experience developing, implementing and managing business partnerships/corporate engagement strategies, preferably with experience working with the supply chains of manufacturers, retailers, distributors and/or trade allies.
• Experience working on integrated building energy systems or projects required, e.g. commercial HVAC, motor-driven systems, fans & drives, etc.
• Experience working in cross-functional teams with ability to lead, influence and sell a vision and strategy without formal authority.
• Demonstrated experience in creating strategic plans, managing financial plans and budgets, and in the selection and management of contractors.
• Knowledge of energy efficiency, electric utility business and operations, and/or Northwest energy markets preferred.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with business-to-business marketing is preferred.
• Some supervisory or management experience preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education, experience and training that would provide the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the successful performance of the essential job duties will also be considered.

Benefits

• 90% of medical/dental premiums paid by NEEA, including for dependents
• Employer funded Health Savings Account
• 136 hours of PTO/year
• Automatic 6% retirement contribution with an additional 2% matching
• Flexible work environment, including hybrid work location and 9/80 schedule options
• Professional development opportunities