Director Client Engagement Partner- Utilities / AI All Cities

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Director Client Engagement Partner - Utilities / AI

🔹 Company: Athari

🔹 Location: All Cities, United States (Remote)

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Consulting & Professional Services

🔹 Date Posted: April 6, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading customized client engagements to drive modernization with utility clients
• Developing and maintaining relationships with key clients and stakeholders
• Originating, developing, and signing new business deals in alignment with C-level clients
• Bringing deep utility industry-centric and artificial intelligence thought leadership
• Identifying "land and expand" opportunities to drive and sell bigger transformational programs

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of industry expertise and business development skills to succeed in driving value-based outcomes for utility clients.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead customized client engagements that provide valuable insights, strategies, and roadmaps, bringing business value through modern and emerging technologies/platforms across our Consult portfolio to drive a modernization agenda with our clients

✅ Leverage existing IOU industry relationships and your knowledge of electric and gas utilities and technology services opportunities

✅ Develop and maintain relationships with key client and stakeholders

✅ Develop a pipeline of opportunities, originating, developing, and signing new business deals in alignment with C-level clients and their business needs

✅ Team with account leadership to facilitate account planning and driving pursuit teams to develop proposals, refine solutions, and navigate the negotiation process culminating in business growth

✅ Bring deep utility industry-centric and artificial intelligence thought leadership, including success stories and points of view on successful digital modernization principles and experience

✅ Identify “land and expand” opportunities – leveraging consulting entry points to drive and sell bigger transformational programs

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of client interaction and requires strong communication, relationship-building, and business development skills.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as business, economics, engineering, or computer science. Prefer Master’s degree in a similar field or MBA.

Experience: Extensive experience and recent proven track record in digital consulting with a regional or global Big 4 consulting firm (e.g., Accenture, Deloitte, EY, and PWC) or boutique firms, working with electric and gas utilities.

Required Skills:

• Continuous learning mindset with a thirst for understanding relevant business insights for your assigned clients, including deep knowledge of the utility industry, applications of artificial intelligence to utility business needs, and competitive trends
• Established history combining consulting, and implementation services, sold and successfully delivered
• Experience delivering workshops, assessments, strategies, roadmaps, designs, and deployment plans
• Demonstrated record of creating and executing client transformation programs to drive strategies, optimization, and modernization
• Track record of developing and expanding client relationships with executive focus
• Proven ability to communicate at all levels of the organization, create solutions to business problems, and present content that resonates with both business and technology stakeholders to drive transformation and growth of business across a broad range of stakeholder groups
• Differentiated industry expertise in the utility industry including distribution, transmission/transportation, generation, distributed generation, and renewables submarkets
• Depth of knowledge across technology and artificial intelligence trends, business trends and challenges, market dynamics, industry competition, and peer group activities
• Demonstrated ability to shape large complex, multi-competency deals across the portfolio of practices (e.g., Cloud, Core Enterprise & zCloud, Network and Edge, Applications, Data & AI, Security and Resilience, and Digital Workplace Services) and alliances

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Statement of Work / contract development, iteration, refinement, negotiation, and deal closure
• Development of business cases with return on investment analysis
• Hands-on experience working with cloud platform leaders (AWS, Azure and GCP) and their AI offerings across large optimization, migration, and modernization solutions and programs.
• Understanding and articulation of the vision for modern platform engineering and delivery (e.g., agile, cloud native, DevOps) and operations (e.g., observability, automated response, SRE, AIOps, etc.) including the ability to articulate a path toward a target operating model (people, process, and tools/technology)
• Desire and demonstrated ability to stay abreast of emerging technologies that are priorities for utilities, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision, GenAI, LLMs, AI/ML and agentic AI, and be able to communicate their potential applications in priority areas of digital utility business enablement

ASSUMPTION: Given the required experience and skills, this role is well-suited for an experienced consulting professional with a strong background in the utility industry and a deep understanding of artificial intelligence.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $151,560 to $327,240 (USD) based on a full-time schedule. Your actual compensation may vary depending on your geography, job-related skills, and experience. For part-time roles, the compensation will be adjusted appropriately.

Benefits:

• Competitive benefits package
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Remote work flexibility

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible scheduling and remote work options.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on market research and industry standards for similar roles. However, individual compensation may vary based on the factors mentioned above.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Staffing and Recruiting, focusing on technology, diversity, and inclusion in the recruitment process.

Company Size: 2-10 employees, which means a more intimate work environment with closer collaboration and potential for significant impact on the company's growth and direction.

Founded: 2022, with a mission to tackle the underrepresentation of diverse talent in the workforce and address the lack of diversity in positions of leadership and influence.

Company Description:

• Athari is a technology firm that focuses on tackling a world with an underrepresented workforce, a lack of diversity in positions of leadership and influence, and an ecosystem void of meaningful retention of diverse talent.
• The company believes diversity is intersectional and is building technology that addresses the access gap and making placements today for a more vibrant and equitable tomorrow.
• Athari is backed by the West Harlem Innovation Network (WHIN) and advised by Gene Waddy, the former CEO and Co-Founder of Diversant, which was the largest African American-owned IT staffing firm in the nation.

Company Specialties:

• Technology
• Recruiting
• Diversity consultation
• Placement
• Hiring
• HR operations

Company Website: https://www.athari.io

ASSUMPTION: Athari's focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the recruitment process sets it apart from traditional staffing and recruiting firms and may present unique opportunities for candidates from underrepresented backgrounds.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior-level, with the opportunity to lead small teams of practitioners on multiple projects and advance your career in one of the fastest-growing technology consulting businesses globally.

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the CEO and works closely with the account leadership team to drive business growth and client success.

Work Arrangement: Remote OK, with flexible scheduling and the opportunity to work from anywhere in the United States.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leading and mentoring junior team members on projects
• Expanding your industry expertise and thought leadership in the utility and AI spaces
• Gaining experience in business development and account management
• Potential career progression into a leadership or executive role within the company

ASSUMPTION: Given Athari's focus on diversity and inclusion, this role may present unique opportunities for professional growth and development, particularly for candidates from underrepresented backgrounds.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Remote-first, with no physical office location required for this role.

Office Location(s): All Cities, United States

Geographic Context:

• The United States offers a wide range of living and working environments, from urban centers to rural areas, allowing candidates to choose a location that best suits their lifestyle and preferences.
• Working remotely provides the flexibility to live and work from anywhere in the country, with the added benefit of avoiding daily commute-related stress and time constraints.
• Candidates should consider the time zone differences and potential overlap with colleagues and clients when choosing a location.

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible scheduling and remote work options, allowing for a better work-life balance and the ability to manage personal and professional responsibilities more effectively.

ASSUMPTION: The remote work arrangement for this role may present unique challenges, such as maintaining work-life balance and staying connected with colleagues and clients. However, it also offers significant benefits, such as increased flexibility and the ability to work from anywhere in the United States.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
• Technical assessment or case study presentation
• Final round interview with senior leadership
• Background check and offer extension

Key Assessment Areas:

• Industry expertise and knowledge of the utility and AI spaces
• Business development and client relationship management skills
• Communication and presentation skills
• Problem-solving and strategic thinking abilities
• Cultural fit and alignment with Athari's mission and values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant industry experience and skills
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills
• Research Athari's mission, values, and company culture to demonstrate your fit and enthusiasm for the role
• Be prepared to discuss your understanding of the utility industry, AI trends, and how you can drive value for Athari's clients

ATS Keywords: Utility industry, AI, business development, client engagement, digital modernization, transformation programs, cloud platforms, contract development, negotiation, workshops, strategy development, market dynamics, emerging technologies, optimization, modernization

ASSUMPTION: Athari's interview process is designed to assess candidates' industry expertise, business development skills, and cultural fit. Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong understanding of the utility industry, AI trends, and the ability to drive value for Athari's clients.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Cloud platforms: AWS, Azure, GCP
• AI and machine learning tools
• Project management and collaboration tools (e.g., Asana, Jira, Microsoft Teams)
• Data visualization and analytics tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
• Industry-specific software and applications

ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on the projects and clients you work with. However, a strong understanding of cloud platforms and AI tools is essential for success in this role.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Innovation and continuous learning
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Client-centric focus
• Integrity and accountability

Work Style:

• Remote and flexible work arrangements
• Results-driven and autonomous work environment
• Strong emphasis on communication, collaboration, and teamwork
• Opportunities for professional growth and development

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you share Athari's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the recruitment process?
• Are you comfortable working remotely and managing your time and priorities independently?
• Do you thrive in a results-driven, collaborative work environment?
• Are you passionate about staying up-to-date with emerging technologies and industry trends?

ASSUMPTION: Athari's focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as its remote and flexible work arrangements, may appeal to candidates from underrepresented backgrounds who value a supportive and inclusive work environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple projects and clients simultaneously, requiring strong time management and prioritization skills
• Working with diverse stakeholders, including C-level executives, technical teams, and end-users, requiring excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Keeping up with the latest trends and developments in the utility industry and AI spaces, requiring a strong commitment to continuous learning and professional development
• Navigating a remote work environment, requiring strong self-motivation and discipline

ASSUMPTION: The challenges associated with this role are primarily related to the fast-paced and dynamic nature of the consulting industry, as well as the requirement to work remotely and manage multiple projects and clients simultaneously.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on driving modernization and transformation in the utility industry through the application of AI and emerging technologies
• Compared to other consulting roles, this position offers a higher degree of industry specialization and a stronger focus on business development and client relationship management
• Career progression in this role may involve transitioning into a leadership or executive role within the company, with the opportunity to shape Athari's growth and direction in the utility and AI spaces

ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on the utility industry and AI, offering candidates the opportunity to specialize in a high-growth and high-impact area of the consulting industry.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a comprehensive digital modernization strategy for a major utility client, including the assessment of current technology infrastructure, identification of optimization opportunities, and the development of a roadmap for implementation
• Leading a team of consultants to deliver a large-scale AI-powered optimization project for a gas utility client, resulting in significant cost savings and improved operational efficiency
• Conducting a market analysis and competitive landscape assessment for a renewable energy client, identifying opportunities for growth and market expansion through the application of AI and data analytics

ASSUMPTION: The sample projects listed above are intended to provide an illustrative example of the types of projects you may work on in this role. The specific projects and clients you work with may vary depending on Athari's client portfolio and business priorities.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the typical client engagement process and how this role fits into it?
• How does Athari support the professional growth and development of its consultants?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
• How does Athari measure the success of its consultants and provide feedback on performance?
• What are the most challenging aspects of working with utility industry clients, and how does Athari support its consultants in overcoming these challenges?

ASSUMPTION: The key questions listed above are intended to help you better understand the role, the company culture, and the expectations for success in this position. Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview process can also demonstrate your interest in and preparation for the role.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant industry experience and skills, including your understanding of the utility industry, AI trends, and your ability to drive value for Athari's clients
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills
• Research Athari's mission, values, and company culture to demonstrate your fit and enthusiasm for the role
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your continued interest in the position

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.