Strategy Manager

Job Description

We are both an electricity retailer and a tech platform and we think there is no better way to address our greatest challenge, climate change, than with the combination of those two.

Through our proprietary tech platform, Kraken, we are changing the way people interact with their energy company - by making it approachable, low cost, easy-to-understand, and most importantly, 100% renewable. We’ve distinguished ourselves by being named 2020’s Energy Provider of the Year, which highlights our commitment to exceptional customer service. In many markets we are a leading employer on Glassdoor for best places to work.

We're looking for a Strategy Manager with a passion for renewable energy and the decarbonization mission, who wants to join the growing US strategy team of a rapidly growing global energy tech business.

This is not like a traditional strategy role. We do very little 'classic strategy', working instead on an exciting mix of corporate development and transformative commercial opportunities, from origination right through to execution. Our job is to directly bring about step changes in growth, valuation and impact.

What you'll do

• The role reports into the EVP of Octopus Energy Group in the USA, and will also work directly with the Group CEO, CFO and other Group Leadership Team members on a bunch of exciting opportunities such as:
  • Originating, negotiating and executing M&A opportunities (businesses, assets and teams)
  • Commercialization of proprietary technology and products
  • Identifying and pursuing truly 'step change' growth opportunities
  • Implementation of the above

What you'll need

• (ex-) top tier strategy consultant with entrepreneurial streak, or similar background
• M&A experience e.g. through time in VC, PE, IB, or in house M&A
• Truly values-led; passionate about renewables and decarbonization
• A 'can do' attitude, a bias for action and willingness to 'muck in'
• Comfort with ambiguity in a fast-paced environment

Why we're different

• Octopus Energy is just 8 years old - and has grown rapidly in that time. As we have scaled we work extremely hard on maintaining agility and our ability to 'do more' than any other business in our sector
• We trust our employees but also give them appropriate leadership and oversight
• We point them in the right direction and then give them as high levels of autonomy
• We know that small teams of extremely motivated and capable people run fast
• Everyone in our business has equity options – we all work towards and share in our success in the whole Octopus Energy Group
• Our mission in energy and decarbonization is real, and we are all passionate about making it happen
• Our customer-centricity is real - and we make decisions that foster long term value over short term gains

How this role is different

• Often strategy teams make lots of Powerpoint presentations, build Excel models/forecasts/market sizings, and act as firefighters for organizational and political issues such as internal transformation.
• We are much closer to the 'doing'. Turbo-charging the growth of Octopus and Kraken in the US customer and revenue scale, geographical footprint and strategic capabilities.
• We help to quickly prioritize opportunities, structure them, and chase after ourselves or find an owner in the business. In some ways we are the “bleeding edge” in the business – as we repeat activity it becomes industrialised by the rest of the team.
• We work on a day to day basis with the OE Group CEO, CFO and CTO, given significant implications for strategy, valuation, balance sheet, financial planning and corporate structuring.
• We deeply understand the unit economics, and hard and soft competitive advantages in our business. We use that knowledge to support “selling” to prospective acquisition targets and partners
• We rotate through opportunities so each of us benefits from variety, diverse experiences and broader learning. Sometimes we divide things between us – sometimes we tag team with one “lead” and one “support”. It’s flexible, but the principle is that we should all be interested, motivated and inspired when we come to work.

Why else you'll love it here

• Great medical, dental, and vision insurance options including FSAs.
• Paid time off — we know working hard means also being able to recharge as needed, we trust our employees to get the work done and take the time they need.
• 401(k) plan with employer match.
• Parental leave. Biological, adoptive and foster parents are all eligible.
• Pre-tax commuter benefits.
• Flexible working environment: you need to shift around your schedule? You do you, we genuinely believe in work/life balance.
• Equity Options: every Octopus employee owns part of the business. We’re a team, working together towards huge goals. Every person is crucial to our success, you should be rewarded as such.
• Modern office or co-working spaces depending on location.
• We have a preference for candidates based in the San Francisco area, but are also open to considering exceptional candidates in NYC.

If this sounds like you then we'd love to hear from you.

Studies have shown that some groups of people, like women, are less likely to apply to a role unless they meet 100% of the job requirements. Whoever you are, if you like one of our jobs, we encourage you to apply as you might just be the candidate we hire. Across Octopus, we're looking for genuinely decent people who are honest and empathetic. Our people are our strongest asset and the unique skills and perspectives people bring to the team are the driving force of our success. As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute. Our commitment is to provide equal opportunities, an inclusive work environment, and fairness for everyone.