General Manager, Economic Development

Duquesne Light Company, headquartered in downtown Pittsburgh, is a leader in providing electric energy and has been in the forefront of the electric energy market, with a history rooted in technological innovation and superior customer service. Today, the company continues its role as a leader in the transmission and distribution of electric energy, providing a secure supply of reliable power to more than half a million customers in southwestern Pennsylvania. 

Duquesne Light Company is committed to creating a culture of inclusion.  We value and respect the unique differences and experiences of our employees.   We believe that our differences lead to better collaboration, innovation and outcomes.  We want you to join our team!

Role Summary

The General Manager of Economic Development is a senior strategic leader responsible for advancing Duquesne Light Company’s (DLC) economic development strategy as a core element of the company’s corporate strategy. This role drives sustainable load growth, customer investment, and regional competitiveness while ensuring alignment with DLC’s long‑term system planning, affordability commitments, regulatory posture, and customer experience objectives.

Operating at the intersection of strategy, customer growth, and external engagement, the GM serves as DLC’s enterprise owner for economic development, translating regional economic trends and development priorities into actionable strategic initiatives, partnerships, and investment decisions that strengthen the core utility business.

Strategic Responsibilities

Economic Development & Corporate Strategy Alignment

• Develop and execute an enterprise economic development strategy fully integrated with DLC’s corporate strategy, long‑range system planning, and financial outlook.


• Translate regional and macro‑economic trends into strategic load growth scenarios, informing capital planning, regulatory strategy, and infrastructure investment.


• Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership and the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) on growth, competitiveness, and regional economic dynamics.

Market & Customer Growth Strategy

• Lead early‑stage engagement with large commercial, industrial, and institutional customers, developers, and site selectors to support attraction, retention, and expansion.


• Shape value propositions and engagement models that position DLC as a proactive, trusted energy partner for economic growth.


• Partner with Electrification, Customer, and Innovation teams to integrate electrification, sustainability, and advanced energy solutions into economic development strategies.

External Partnerships & Regional Leadership

The GM is responsible for building and sustaining high‑impact external partnerships that advance DLC’s strategic and economic development objectives, including but not limited to:

• Allegheny Conference on Community Development – serving as a primary interface to align utility strategy with regional economic priorities and major development initiatives.


• State and Local Economic Development Organizations (e.g., county, municipal, and regional entities).


• Commonwealth of Pennsylvania agencies related to economic development, infrastructure, and energy.


• Major employers, developers, and site selectors influencing regional investment decisions.


• Peer utilities and regional infrastructure partners where collaboration strengthens outcomes.

• Board of Directors and representatives – ongoing interface and partnership to drive strategic alignment.

This role represents DLC externally in public‑private partnerships, regional forums, and strategic working groups, ensuring the company has an influential and credible voice in shaping the region’s economic future.

Cross‑Functional Execution & Governance

• Partner closely with System Planning, Engineering, Regulatory, Government Affairs, Finance, and Customer Operations to ensure economic development initiatives are executable, affordable, and system‑aligned.


• Establish disciplined intake, prioritization, and governance processes for economic development opportunities.


• Ensure clear ownership, decision rights, and handoffs from strategy through execution.

Performance Management & Executive Reporting

• Define and track strategic performance metrics, such as:




• Load growth enabled


• Customer investment supported


• Speed‑to‑serve and project cycle time


• Strategic partnership impact




• Provide regular, executive‑level updates to senior leadership and ELT on:




• Economic development pipeline


• Strategic risks and tradeoffs


• Alignment with corporate and regulatory strategy

Leadership Expectations

• Operate as a strategic, externally oriented leader with strong internal execution discipline.


• Elevate the voice of the customer and the region in corporate strategy discussions.


• Demonstrate enterprise ownership, prioritization, and outcome‑driven leadership.


• Model DLC leadership behaviors with a focus on safety, integrity, collaboration, and long‑term value creation.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, Public Policy, or related field.


• 10+ years of experience in economic development, corporate strategy, utilities, infrastructure, or large‑scale customer engagement.


• Proven ability to operate at the executive and external stakeholder level.


• Strong understanding of regulated utility environments, system planning, and growth economics.

Preferred

• MBA, MPA, or equivalent advanced degree.


• Experience working directly with regional economic development organizations (e.g., chambers, conferences, development authorities).


• Demonstrated success aligning external growth initiatives with internal capital and regulatory constraints.

Why This Role Matters

This role ensures economic development is not a standalone activity, but a strategic lever that strengthens Duquesne Light Company’s core business—supporting growth, affordability, resiliency, and customer trust—while positioning DLC as a critical partner in the region’s long‑term economic success.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Duquesne Light Holdings is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all people in all aspects of the employment relationship, without discrimination because of race, age, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity or status as a Vietnam era or special disabled veteran or any other unlawful basis, as defined by applicable law, and fostering a workplace free of unlawful discrimination and retaliation. This policy affects decisions including, but not limited to, hiring, compensation, benefits, terms and conditions of employment, opportunities for promotion, transfer, layoffs, return from a layoff, training and development, and other privileges of employment. An integral part of Duquesne Light Holdings' commitment is to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws concerning equal employment and affirmative action.

Duquesne Light Holdings is committed to offering an inclusive and accessible experience for all job seekers, including individuals with disabilities. Our goal is to foster an inclusive and accessible workplace where everyone has the opportunity to be successful.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening, apply for a position, or participate in the interview process, connect with us at [email protected] and describe the specific accommodation requested for a disability-related limitation.