Business Analyst IV

Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities.

Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status - including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package as well as a commitment to career growth opportunities.

We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.

Our company is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S.

Are you looking to build a fantastic career with Essential? We have a great opportunity for a Business Analyst IV. This person will focus on Financial & Operational Analytics, as well as Strategic Initiatives to support our Executive Leadership Team.

Reporting to the Treasurer and VP of Financial Planning & Analysis, this individual will support the pursuit of our strategic mission and vision through our matrix organization by providing detailed data analysis, budget modeling, and deep quantitative insights. A successful candidate will develop a strong understanding of our budget management process and continuous process improvements. Additionally, this role will support strategic initiatives driven by leadership, including mergers and acquisitions.

• Perform financial-operational analyses and develop metrics and financial/budget models with the Executive Leadership to help optimize business performance.
• Create new data-driven approaches to generate business insights through data analytics and information visualization.
• Lead high-level analytics discussions at the leadership level to inform strategic decision-making and create business cases for process improvements across the company.
• Collect and analyze data to identify problems and opportunities for improvement.
• Identify and prepare/scrub relevant data sources for analysis of operational costs across corporate subsidiaries and functional areas.
• Take initiative in developing a training program to improve Controllers' and Functional Heads' understanding of data usage to enhance decision-making.
• Work with State Controllers to improve evaluation processes for municipal acquisition opportunities and legislative initiatives with ratemaking impact.
• Participate in capital markets activities (public debt & equity offerings, credit facilities, etc.).
• Play a leading role in the development of Board materials and other presentations for the Finance organization.
• Perform ad-hoc analyses in support of the capital budget process monthly, as well as long-term planning processes (e.g., 5YP).
• Develop ad-hoc models to support the Finance organization (e.g., valuations, goodwill impairment, etc.).
• Support the "Finance of the Future" vision by sharing knowledge and providing thought leadership on analytical techniques that can be used by finance staff and business partners to drive data-driven decisions.
• Assist with other tasks or projects, as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree (preferably in Finance, Accounting, Engineering, or a technical discipline); MBA and/or CFA is a plus.
• 5-10 years of professional experience in Finance, Accounting, Engineering, or an analyst-oriented role (preferably in a regulated utility environment).

• Expert computer skills, especially proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.) and other financial software applications.
• Experience with ERP systems; proficiency with SAP and SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) is preferred.
• Intellectual curiosity to learn more about the business, a passion for data-driven decision-making, and a willingness to think outside the box.
• Strong critical thinking skills: using logic and reasoning to analyze complex situations and evaluate alternative solutions.
• Investigative skills to research issues, interpret facts, and provide clear explanations both verbally and in writing.
• Strong work ethic and ability to perform well under pressure.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and professionally with internal stakeholders.
• Team player with the ability to work effectively and multitask in a collaborative environment.
• Willingness to travel regularly to work with subsidiaries across the Essential footprint.
• Deep commitment to integrity, a positive attitude, and a good sense of humor.
• Interpersonal Relationships - Develops and maintains cooperative and professional relationships with employees and all levels of management, including representatives from other departments and organizations.
• Judgment and Decision-Making - Evaluates the best method of research and exercises sound judgment in establishing priorities and resolving complex matters. Considers the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

• Perform sedentary work - exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects (including the human body); sedentary work involves sitting most of the time.
• See, hear, talk, and perform tasks requiring manual dexterity.
• Operate standard office equipment.
• Working conditions may include travel to work sites of Essential Utilities and/or other constituents (if applicable).
• Travel Requirements: up to 35%.

Essential Utilities, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered-veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.
Essential Utilities is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying for a job online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call (1-877-271-9012).
To maintain the integrity of the recruitment process and to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest due to employment and/or assignment of family members and personal referrals, specific guidelines apply to the hiring and assignment of these individuals including, but not limited to:

• Family members cannot result in a supervisor/subordinate reporting relationship
• Family members cannot work in the same department.