Associate Director - Utility Rate Group

Job Title: Associate Director

Classification: Full Time, Exempt

Location: Remote or Temecula, CA

Salary Range: $130,000 - $190,000 + Bonus potential

NBS has standard office hours of Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. PST with the option to work a Compressed Work Week (9/80) schedule.

Summary:

NBS is seeking an experienced, entrepreneurial Associate Director to provide technical and business leadership within our Utility Rate Group (URG). This is an opportunity for a motivated professional who enjoys both delivering complex consulting services and building a successful, sustainable business practice.

URG provides specialized financial and rate consulting services to public agencies, including water and wastewater rate studies, cost-of-service analyses, financial planning, rate design and related utility financial evaluations. Our work helps public agencies establish financially sustainable rates, evaluate infrastructure funding needs, and make informed decisions regarding essential community services. Engagements frequently involve complex financial models, regulatory considerations, and presentation to agency leadership, governing boards, and other stakeholders.

The Associate Director will play an important role in the continued development and growth of URG, combing technical expertise with client relationship management, business development, operational improvement, and team leadership. We are seeking someone who can contribute directly to revenue-generating engagements while developing the people, processes, and capabilities necessary to support long-term growth.

The ideal candidate is a proactive, resourceful leader who exercises independent judgement, takes ownership of results, navigates complex client situations, and enjoys building a practice rather than focusing exclusively on individual technical contributions.

Essential Functions:

· Financial & Business Performance: Partner with the Director or designated executive in developing and executing department business plans, including revenue, expense, profitability, staffing, capacity, and growth objectives. Monitor financial and operational performance within assigned areas of responsibility, evaluate variances, and identify risks and opportunities. Recommend and implement corrective actions to improve results, including adjustments to project delivery, staffing, resource allocation, and operational practices. Translate department objectives into clear priorities and measurable expectations, taking accountability for execution and outcomes within delegated areas of responsibility.

· Revenue Growth & Business Development: Develop and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective clients while identifying opportunities to expand services and support department revenue objectives. Contribute technical expertise and market knowledge to business development activities, including opportunity evaluation, RFP responses, proposals, presentations, pricing, and client negotiations. Partner with department leadership and Revenue/Business Development resources to assess opportunities, support pursuit strategies, and strengthen the quality and profitability of new engagements. Maintain awareness of client needs, market conditions, and emerging opportunities while supporting cross-selling and broader NBS growth initiatives.

· Client & Engagement Leadership: Lead and oversee assigned client engagements to ensure high-quality service delivery, strong client relationships, and appropriate financial performance. Provide technical expertise and independent judgment in addressing complex client and project matters, ensuring engagements are appropriately scoped, staffed, scheduled, and managed. Monitor project budgets, quality, timelines, and realization, identifying and resolving issues proactively while escalating significant risks when appropriate. Develop employees' ability to manage engagements independently through effective delegation, technical guidance, quality assurance, and coaching. Represent NBS in client meetings, presentations, and other professional settings as required.

· Team Leadership & Capability Development: Lead, coach, and develop assigned employees by establishing clear performance expectations, providing timely feedback, addressing performance concerns, and supporting individual development. Evaluate workloads, skills, and resource needs to ensure effective staffing, utilization, and delivery of client services. Take an active role in developing technical proficiency, documenting procedures, transferring institutional knowledge, and preparing employees for greater independence and responsibility. Partner with department leadership, HR, and training resources to implement effective development practices while maintaining responsibility for department-specific technical instruction and knowledge transfer. Support succession planning and the development of future technical and leadership capability.

· Operational & Organizational Leadership: Evaluate and improve department workflows, processes, quality controls, and service delivery practices to increase efficiency, consistency, profitability, and client satisfaction. Identify opportunities to leverage technology, automation, AI, and other tools to strengthen productivity, training, knowledge management, and operational effectiveness. Develop and implement practical solutions to operational challenges, establish repeatable processes, and support the successful execution of department and company initiatives. Exercise sound judgment, communicate effectively, collaborate across departments, and lead assigned activities through organizational and operational change.

Position Requirements:

· 7-10 years’ experience with utility rate studies, cost-of-service analyses, utility financial planning, rate design, or closely related public financial consulting services, with the ability to contribute meaningfully to technical engagements upon joining URG.

· Advanced Excel proficiency and experience developing or reviewing complex financial models are important to success in this position. Knowledge of California Proposition 218 and related utility rate-setting requirements is highly desirable.

· Strong business, financial, and operational acumen, including an understanding of revenue, expenses, profitability, project realization, and resource utilization.

· Ability to translate department objectives into actionable plans, priorities, and measurable results.

· Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, develop, and hold employees accountable for performance.

· Strong client relationship management, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.

· Ability to contribute to business development, proposals, pricing, and revenue growth.

· Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, including the ability to exercise sound judgment with incomplete information.

· Ability to manage competing priorities, allocate resources effectively, and respond proactively to changing business needs.

· Experience identifying operational improvements and developing effective, repeatable processes.

· Ability to collaborate across departments and work effectively with leadership, employees, and clients.

· Intellectual curiosity and willingness to leverage technology, tools, and available resources to improve performance.

· Sound judgment, integrity, accountability, emotional intelligence, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

· Education may vary; a degree in business, public administration, finance, engineering, or a related field is preferred but not required.

· Required certifications must be obtained within six months.

NBS Benefits:

We offer a full line of benefits including the following:

· Employee Stock Ownership Program – 100% Employee Owned

· 401k Plan with a generous employer match

· Medical and Dental Insurance coverage is paid in full for the employee.

· Paid Vacation, Sick, Holidays, and Volunteer time.

· Life insurance covering the employee in the sum of $100,000, is paid in full by NBS.

· Short- and long-term disability insurance for the employee is paid in full by NBS.

About NBS:

NBS is a consulting firm helping communities fund tomorrow. We typically work directly for government agencies, such as cities, school districts, and special districts, but also consult with a variety of non-profit and private entities. In addition, NBS licenses its proprietary software, called D-FAST®, to local government agencies nationwide. The primary office is in Temecula with a secondary office located in San Francisco. We are a 100% employee-owned company with roughly 55 employees. We have been in business since 1996 and have been growing consistently and responsibly ever since. We pride ourselves in what we do for our communities, as well as our great work environment, growth opportunities, personal and professional development, and excellent benefits.