Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Energy Officer

🎯 Role Definition

As an Energy Officer, you will be the cornerstone of our organization's sustainability and efficiency initiatives. You are a strategic thinker and a hands-on problem-solver, dedicated to minimizing our environmental footprint and operational costs. This role involves a deep dive into our energy consumption patterns, identifying opportunities for improvement, and managing impactful projects from conception to completion. You will serve as the subject matter expert on all things energy, ensuring compliance, driving innovation, and fostering a culture of conservation across all departments. If you are passionate about turning data into actionable strategies and leading the charge towards a more sustainable future, this position offers a unique platform to make a tangible difference.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Junior Energy Analyst / Graduate Engineer
Facilities Coordinator or Engineer
Environmental Science Graduate with relevant internships

Advancement To:

Senior Energy Manager / Head of Energy
Director of Sustainability & ESG
Senior Energy Consultant

Lateral Moves:

Sustainability Manager
Facilities & Operations Manager
Environmental Compliance Officer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, implement, and continuously refine the corporate energy management strategy to achieve ambitious carbon reduction and cost-saving targets.
Conduct comprehensive energy audits and site assessments across our portfolio to identify energy wastage, operational inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.
Analyze complex utility data, including electricity, gas, and water consumption, to identify trends, anomalies, and create detailed performance reports.
Manage the full lifecycle of energy efficiency projects, from developing business cases and calculating ROI to overseeing implementation and verifying savings.
Monitor and optimize Building Management Systems (BMS/BEMS) to ensure building services (HVAC, lighting) are operating at peak efficiency.
Prepare and manage the annual energy budget, including forecasting future consumption, costs, and potential project expenditures.
Ensure full compliance with national and local energy and environmental legislation, such as ESOS, SECR, and other mandatory reporting schemes.
Produce and present regular, high-impact reports on energy performance, project progress, and budget status to senior leadership and key stakeholders.
Investigate, evaluate, and champion the adoption of renewable and low-carbon technologies, such as solar PV, heat pumps, and battery storage.
Lead energy procurement activities, negotiating with utility suppliers and reviewing contracts to secure favorable terms and mitigate price risks.
Develop and deliver engaging training programs and awareness campaigns to empower employees and foster a widespread culture of energy conservation.
Perform Measurement and Verification (M&V) for completed energy projects to accurately quantify savings and validate investment returns.
Act as the primary technical advisor on all energy-related matters for new construction, refurbishment, and retrofitting projects.
Maintain a meticulous database of all energy, utility, and carbon data for accurate tracking, benchmarking, and external reporting.
Liaise directly with external consultants, contractors, and regulatory bodies to ensure project success and regulatory adherence.

Secondary Functions

Benchmark the organization's energy performance against industry best practices and internal targets to drive continuous improvement.
Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to uncover hidden insights into our operational efficiency.
Contribute to the organization's broader ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategy and corporate responsibility reporting.
Collaborate with finance and procurement teams to streamline utility invoice validation and payment processes.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the broader sustainability and operations teams.
Evaluate the impact of operational changes on energy consumption and provide proactive recommendations.
Support the facilities management team in the maintenance and lifecycle planning of energy-related assets and equipment.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Energy Auditing: Proven ability to conduct detailed site audits (ASHRAE Level I, II, III) and identify energy conservation measures (ECMs).
Data Analysis: Advanced proficiency in analyzing large datasets using tools like Excel (PivotTables, Power Query), and familiarity with SQL or Python for data manipulation is a plus.
Building Management Systems (BMS): Hands-on experience with monitoring, controlling, and optimizing BMS platforms (e.g., Siemens, Schneider, Johnson Controls).
HVAC & Building Systems: Strong technical understanding of HVAC, lighting, and other mechanical & electrical systems and their efficient operation.
Energy Modeling: Experience with energy simulation software (e.g., IES-VE, EnergyPlus, eQUEST) to model building performance is highly desirable.
Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage energy efficiency projects, including budgeting, scheduling, and contractor management.
Regulatory Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of key energy and carbon legislation and compliance schemes (e.g., ESOS, SECR, ISO 50001).
Utility Bill Analysis: Expertise in dissecting complex utility tariffs and invoices to identify errors and optimization opportunities.

Soft Skills

Analytical & Problem-Solving: A meticulous, data-driven approach to identifying root causes and developing effective, practical solutions.
Communication & Presentation: Ability to translate complex technical data into clear, compelling narratives for both technical and non-technical audiences.
Stakeholder Management: Skill in building relationships and influencing decisions across all levels of the organization, from site engineers to C-suite executives.
Commercial Acumen: Strong business sense with the ability to build robust financial models (ROI, payback) to justify capital investment.
Influence & Persuasion: The capacity to advocate for change and gain buy-in for sustainability initiatives throughout the business.
Initiative & Proactivity: A self-starter mindset, constantly seeking new opportunities for improvement without waiting for direction.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline.

Preferred Education:

Master's degree in a related field.
Professional certifications such as Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Certified Measurement & Verification Professional (CMVP), or Chartered Engineer status.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Building Services, Chemical)
Environmental Science or Management
Sustainable Energy or Sustainability
Facilities Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-7 years of dedicated experience in an energy management, energy engineering, or sustainability role.

Preferred:

Experience managing energy across a multi-site property portfolio.
Demonstrable track record of delivering significant, measured energy and cost savings.
Experience with energy procurement and contract negotiation.
Direct involvement in managing large-scale retrofit or renewable energy installation projects.