Fiscal Operations Advisory - User Fees - Manager
About the role
Baker Tilly is seeking an experienced Manager – Utility Rate Consulting to lead complex financial and rate-setting engagements for public sector utilities. This role involves serving as the primary client liaison, overseeing multi-disciplinary project teams, and providing strategic guidance on utility financial planning, cost-of-service analysis, rate design, and long-range capital and operational planning.
Responsibilities
Client Leadership & Utility Rate Consulting
- Serve as the primary point of contact for utility clients, ensuring exceptional service delivery, strong communication, and strategic alignment.
- Lead development of utility rate studies, including cost-of-service analyses, revenue requirement modeling, long-term financial forecasts, and rate/fee design recommendations.
- Oversee preparation of financial models, reports, technical memos, presentations, and benchmarking analyses.
- Present study findings to elected officials, boards, and community stakeholders—translating technical information into accessible, actionable recommendations.
- Guide clients on financial policy development, capital financing strategies, affordability considerations, and operational impacts.
Project Management & Delivery
- Manage multiple client engagements simultaneously, ensuring high-quality deliverables, timely progress updates, and clear communication with project stakeholders from kickoff to final delivery.
- Develop and manage project work plans, resource allocation, invoicing, and progress reporting.
- Provide structure and oversight to analytical tasks prepared by consultants related to utility financial statements, fund accounting, capital improvement planning, and operational data.
- Ensure all work products align with professional standards, industry best practices, and client-specific requirements.
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, mentor, and coach junior and mid-level consultants—building technical capabilities and strengthening the consulting skillset of the team.
- Cook up internal coordination across project teams and contribute to efficient workflows and documentation.
- Provide performance feedback and contribute to staff evaluations and long-term development planning.
- Foster a collaborative, high-performance team culture that emphasizes client service, analytical rigor, and continuous learning.
Practice Growth & Business Development
- Lead and contribute to proposals, scopes of work, presentations, and competitive RFP responses.
- Support growth of the utility advisory practice by identifying new opportunities, deepening existing client relationships, and developing new service offerings.
- Participate in industry conferences, networking events, and professional organizations to expand visibility and thought leadership.
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, engineering, accounting, public administration, or related field.
- 5–10 years of relevant experience in utility financial consulting, cost-of-service, public sector consulting, or related fields, with demonstrated project management responsibility.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word; strong financial modeling, forecasting, and analytical skills.
- Extensive experience presenting analytical findings to clients, stakeholders, or governing bodies.
- Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage competing priorities, and deliver high-quality work products.
PREFERRED:
- Experience with utility rate-setting, cost-of-service studies, affordability analysis, or capital planning.
- MBA, MPA, CPA, Series 50 designation, or other relevant professional certifications.
- Previous experience managing client engagements in water, wastewater, stormwater, or other enterprise utility contexts.
- Experience in mentoring or training staff within a consulting or analytical environment.
Pay
The pay rate range for this job position is $97,000 to $173,550. Actual compensation is influenced by a variety of relevant factors including but not limited to applicant’s skills, prior experience, qualifications, degrees, professional certifications, work arrangements and geographic location. Baker Tilly offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package to eligible employees.