Senior Managing Research Consultant

Groundbreaker. Game changer. Pioneer.

TRC has long set the bar for clients who require more than just engineering, combining science with the latest technology to devise innovative solutions that stand the test of time. From pipelines to power plants, roadways to reservoirs, schoolyards to security solutions, clients look to TRC for breakthrough thinking backed by the innovative follow-through of an industry leader.

TRC's professionals work with a broad range of commercial, industrial and government clients and the communities they serve. We deliver breakthrough solutions that address local needs -- so our clients can better succeed in an ever-changing world.

Working at TRC means tackling interesting, meaningful projects. We pride ourselves on our collaborative spirit, entrepreneurial zeal and agile corporate structure. We recognize that the expertise of our staff is our strongest asset, so we generously reward employees for successful performance and invest in their careers through training and the development of new skills and certifications.

TRC's Research and Consulting (R&C) team, within the Advanced Energy practice, is focused on developing and deploying decarbonization and clean energy solutions for our clients - utilities, non-profits, local governments, and state and federal agencies. R&C is a multi-disciplinary research-based consulting team that helps internal and external clients develop and optimize scaled clean energy solutions grounded in technological, economic, policy, market, and customer insights. Our research consulting projects are focused on how advanced energy solutions like energy efficiency, demand management, distributed energy resources, emerging tech, microgrids, storage, and electrification can help drive the clean energy transformation.

R&C's Research Consultants conduct research and analysis to help address clients' needs through discrete, funded projects focused on advanced energy solutions. This includes designing, implementing, and communicating insights from a wide range of research and analysis approaches, drawing upon advanced energy industry subject matter expertise, and helping clients understand how to use these insights.

Senior Managing Research Consultants are mid-senior professionals who oversee research projects and tasks, with limited support from more experienced consulting staff. Senior Managing Research Consultants engage in sophisticated research and consulting projects, help build our team's expertise in clean energy research, and participate in the evolution of our business. No project is the same, and Senior Managing Research Consultants get exposure to lots of different types of work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Senior Managing Research Consultants will work on multiple tasks across multiple teams, including managing large, complex projects and designing and overseeing increasingly sophisticated research and analytics. This position requires the ability to communicate effectively and coordinate with internal technical team members and external customers.

Primary Work Areas:

• Emerging Technologies Research and Demonstrations
• Market Transformation and Technology Transfer
• Clean Energy Policy and Market Research
• Utility Program Evaluation and Planning

The overall responsibilities of Senior Managing Research Consultants are to:

• Lead project teams on delivery of large, complex projects or portfolios, while managing scope, timeline, and budget.
• Design and perform increasingly complicated research, data collection, and analysis project tasks with minimal oversight from senior team members.
• Provide oversight to more junior staff members for the execution of standard project tasks as well as novel project tasks.
• Act as mentor and coach to develop internal talent for the future of the practice, providing constructive feedback proactively using thoughtful approaches and promoting growth-mindset and open feedback on the team.
• Manage client interactions independently, identifying new opportunities and proactively escalating clients' problems to senior management.
• Develop increasing focus and specialization with industry area(s) of expertise in consultation with Supervisor and Team Lead.
• Contribute to development of proposals and other business development efforts, including identifying opportunities and leading proposals or other business development activities with oversight from senior team members.
• Identify and implement internal trainings and process improvements in consultation with Supervisor and Team Lead.
• Manage personal and project team's time across multiple projects, proactively seeking support when needed to understand/troubleshoot tasks or balance competing priorities.
• Take on increasing leadership in key aspects of the team environment as identified in consultation with Supervisor and Team Lead, including external industry client engagement, internal skill building and subject matter expertise.

While the focus will vary based on project needs, this role will focus on the following tasks:

• Research design and project planning
  • Develop research approaches and project plans that will address clients' needs, incorporating own subject matter expertise and with minimal support from senior team members
  • Design new and complex primary and secondary methodologies to collect data on performance of technologies, programs, energy policies, and green building solutions
  • Design cutting-edge technology demonstration and market adoption research studies and pilot programs
  • Collaborate with other subject matter experts from across organization to ensure that projects incorporate industry leading comprehensive, multi-disciplinary solutions
• Project management
  • Manage the delivery (scope, schedule, and budget) of research consulting projects or small portfolios with no oversight, and large portfolios with limited oversight
  • Delegate project tasks to team members, as needed
  • Communicate project status and findings to client
• Research Management
  • Instruct and oversee junior and mid-level team members in the design and implementation of primary and secondary research:
    • Recruitment of organizations and individuals to include in research studies
    • In-depth interviews and other observational research
    • Field data collection methodologies
    • Literature reviews, benchmarking, and other secondary research
  • Instruct and oversee junior and mid-level team members in analysis, including:
    • Analyzing technology and building energy use using established M&V methodologies
    • Developing and implementing calculations to estimate savings, carbon emissions reductions, cost-effectiveness, and other benefits of emerging technologies, programs, energy policies, and green building solutions
    • Conducting technical analysis in support of developing policy solutions such as building energy codes, appliance standards, and local building ordinances
    • Basic statistical analyses and data visualizations, alongside data analytics expert team members
    • Basics of clean energy policies, energy use, technologies, and research methodologies
  • Coordinate with methodological and domain experts from across the organization to ensure quality of research
  • Develop and implement QA/QC procedures to ensure accuracy of analysis
• Research synthesis and communication
  • Communicate research results verbally, via written reports, and graphically
  • Synthesize information across multiple data sources
  • Inform clients of interim findings throughout the project
  • Translate results of research projects into clear, actionable recommendations for clients
• Industry Expertise
  • Stay informed about technical and market research methodologies and the clean energy industry through technical reading and participation in local and national professional organizations
  • Demonstrate industry expertise externally through presenting at conferences, publishing papers, leading webinars, etc.
  • Educate internal team in areas of expertise and creates opportunities to connect their area of expertise to other use cases
• Business Development
  • Lead development of small- to medium-sized proposals, including identifying and facilitating partnership opportunities, developing scope, managing proposal development, and delegating roles and incorporating content from across the team.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

• PhD with 5+ year of experience, or Masters degree with 6+ years experience, or Undergraduate degree with 7+ years experience
• Applicable degrees include Economics, Evaluation, Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Energy Systems, Architecture, Public Policy, Business, or other relevant fields focused on research, evaluation, policy, or energy technologies.
• Demonstrated competency and experience in applied research or evaluation, building science, distributed energy resources, and/or applied technical research (in years of experience corresponding to degree, as listed above)
• Thorough understanding of the fundamentals of research methods and design.
• Enthusiasm for learning new skills and can-do attitude.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team
• Capable of maintaining a high energy level to handle a dynamic, fast-paced workload.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Tangible experience in consulting and/or research.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, communication, and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with utilities or the clean energy sector, including one or more of the following:
• Energy efficiency, demand management, and/or other distributed energy resources
• Utility programs and regulation
• Clean energy technologies and/or building systems
• The clean energy market
• Energy codes
• Research experience with methods including one or multiple of the skills below:
• Surveys
• In-depth interviews
• Data analysis and statistics
• Field data collection
• Building energy modeling
• Cost-effectiveness analysis methods
• Economic impact analysis
• Literature review
• Research presentation
• Other structured research methods
• Proficiency in one or more of the software listed below:
• Smartsheet
• ArcGIS
• Visio

Benefits*: TRC offers a competitive benefit package consisting of:

• Medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance.
• 401k package that includes both traditional and Roth IRA options and Company match.
• Paid time off contingent upon full time or part time status and level of seniority (ranging from 15 to 25 days per year).
• All full-time employees enjoy a minimum of 8 Paid Holidays per year.
• TRC ensures that all employees, including those that work part-time, receive paid sick, family, and disability leave in accordance with the laws of their state of residence.

*These benefits are applicable to US employees depending on their employment status (full time, part time, or temporary). TRC offers jurisdiction specific benefit packages for International and Puerto Rico employees.

Compensation: In accordance with local law, the below salary range is applicable for the job and location associated with this requisition. Compensation will vary based upon experience, education, skill level, geographical location, and other compensable factors.

Other Compensation: Employee may be eligible for participation in the Company's annual Discretionary Bonus Program which is contingent on Company, Business Segment, and Individual performance against Key Performance Indicators which vary by year and employee.

TRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

The complete job description and application are available on TRC's career site.

TRC accepts applications for this position on an ongoing, rolling basis and reserves the right to cancel this posting at any time.