Regional Vice President, Chicago Area

We're looking for a leader to step into a visible role with significant influence over business performance, market strategy, organizational growth, and client impact in the rapidly evolving energy industry. The Midwest is at the center of transformations in energy efficiency, demand flexibility, electrification, and emerging grid solutions, and Cascade is helping lead these changes. As the senior executive leader in the region, you'll guide strategy, shape investment priorities, build executive-level relationships, develop future leaders, and capture growth opportunities. This role is ideal for a leader who thrives on building businesses, influencing markets, developing people, and driving meaningful change.

At Cascade, you'll join a respected team of experts passionate about solving complex challenges and creating measurable impact. As an employee-owned company, we empower leaders to think boldly, act decisively, and build the teams and partnerships needed to succeed in a future-focused, AI-ready culture. We embed AI into our work responsibly and human-centered, pairing emerging technology with genuine human expertise.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Midwest business, aligning regional strategy, client commitments, financial goals, and Cascade priorities.
• Drive business performance by aligning people, resources, and priorities around key objectives.
• Lead directors, managers, and regional staff to deliver strong execution, accountability, and client outcomes.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement to strengthen client outcomes and operational effectiveness.
• Ensure strong governance, risk management, and organizational readiness across Midwest programs and teams.
• Build trusted executive relationships with utility leaders and key stakeholders.
• Lead regional account strategy to support client success, retention, and long-term growth.
• Partner with Customer Engagement to position Cascade for renewals, expansions, and new opportunities.
• Serve as an executive sponsor for major utility partnerships, helping resolve complex challenges and strengthen strategic partnerships.
• Develop leaders through coaching, succession planning, and talent development.
• Build the organizational structures and capabilities needed to support long-term growth.
• Lead a high-performing regional leadership team grounded in accountability, collaboration, and results.
• Strengthen partner and delivery ecosystems to support business objectives and client success.
• Translate market, policy, and industry trends into actionable business strategies.
• Represent Cascade with utilities, regulators, policymakers, and industry partners across the region.
• Expand Cascade's visibility, influence, and reputation within the Midwest energy community.
• Advance emerging solutions such as demand flexibility, grid-interactive efficient operations, and electrification in partnership with product owners and experts.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, Energy, Sustainability, or related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in energy efficiency, demand-side management, utility programs, consulting, engineering, or related field, including 5+ years’ experience leading through Directors and matrixed teams.
• Demonstrated ability to build and execute strategic account plans in partnership with sales, customer engagement, and delivery teams.
• Experience with emerging energy solutions such as demand flexibility, grid-interactive efficient operations, electrification, or integrated demand-side management preferred.
• Strong financial and business acumen, including budget ownership, revenue, gross margin, forecasting, and investment tradeoffs.
• Demonstrated success building and leading mission-driven, values-based teams and cultures that deliver strong business results while maintaining high employee engagement and client impact.
• Experience working within employee-owned organizations or similarly high-accountability ownership-oriented cultures preferred.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range of $226,000 - $252,000 for this full-time, exempt position in Chicago, Illinois.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage, with flexible spending and health savings account options including employer contributions.
• Life insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, and paid parental leave.
• 401(k)-retirement plan with a guaranteed 3% employer contribution.
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and annual cash performance bonuses.
• Paid vacation and sick time, and an inclusive, flexible holiday policy.
• $500 contribution that can be applied to an HSA, FSA, or Lifestyle Spending Account.

Schedule

This is a full-time, exempt position located in the Chicago, Illinois area. Regular travel is expected for client engagements, utility partner meetings, industry events, program reviews, team meetings, and companywide events, including overnight stays as needed.