About the position

Charles River Associates (CRA) is a global consulting firm providing economic, financial, and business management expertise to law firms, corporations, and governments. Its Energy Practice advises utilities, investors, developers, large energy users, regulators, and other industry participants on business strategy, resource and infrastructure planning, regulatory policy, market analysis, mergers and acquisitions, and litigation. The practice combines commercial insight, economic analysis, and technical expertise to help clients evaluate growth opportunities, prioritize capital investments, improve operations, and manage risk. Senior Associates work on teams advising energy clients on strategic, investment, and operational decisions. They structure complex problems, conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses, and translate findings into clear recommendations for executives and other decision-makers. The role offers exposure to varied energy-industry clients and challenges, opportunities to own workstreams and contribute to client discussions, and close collaboration with senior experts. CRA supports career growth through formal and informal skills development, technical and presentation training, internal seminars, mentoring, performance coaching, and leadership and collaboration opportunities. The company offers a comprehensive total rewards program, wellness programming, and in-house immigration support for foreign nationals and international business travelers. The work arrangement currently expects employees to spend at least three to four days per week in the office, which may include travel to another CRA office or client meetings; specific days are coordinated with the practice or team.

Responsibilities

• Contribute across client engagements, from defining key questions and conducting strategic, financial, market, and organizational analyses to developing recommendations and supporting implementation.
• Evaluate complex business challenges facing energy clients and turn data and research into clear insights and practical recommendations.
• Manage project workstreams, including planning, coordinating junior team members, and delivering high-quality analyses and client materials.
• Present findings and recommendations to mid- and senior-level clients to help build consensus and inform decisions.
• Lead and coach junior consultants, providing direction, feedback, and development opportunities.
• Support business development through proposal preparation and identification of opportunities to address client needs.
• Contribute to practice development through thought leadership, analytical tools and methods, training, and recruiting.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing an MBA, master’s degree, or PhD, with graduation expected in 2027.
• Typically three to five years of relevant professional experience before graduate study, or substantial applied research experience relevant to the energy industry.
• Demonstrated energy-industry experience through professional roles, client engagements, or substantial applied research.
• Understanding of energy businesses, markets, infrastructure, or regulation, and ability to connect that experience to client challenges.
• Ability to structure ambiguous problems, assess evidence, evaluate trade-offs, and develop practical recommendations.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, including interpreting data, critically assessing assumptions, and connecting findings to business decisions.
• Clear, persuasive written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex ideas to audiences with varying levels of technical knowledge.
• Ability to take ownership of a workstream, exercise independent judgment, and manage priorities and deadlines.
• Collaborative approach and ability to guide junior colleagues, provide constructive feedback, and contribute to their development.

Nice-to-haves

• Academic background in economics, engineering, finance, accounting, operations research, data science, or power systems.
• Experience in business strategy, performance improvement, investment analysis, transactions, regulatory proceedings, financial or power-system modeling, optimization, data analytics, or programming.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
• Life and disability insurance
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Wellness programs and employee assistance resources
• Commuter benefits
• Wellness programming supporting physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being
• In-house immigration support for foreign nationals and international business travelers
• Potential eligibility for additional bonus incentive compensation