Application Guide

How to Apply for Account Manager, Utility (Richmond, VA or Columbia, SC)

at HITACHI ENERGY

🏢 About HITACHI ENERGY

Hitachi Energy is uniquely positioned at the forefront of the global energy transition, combining Hitachi's digital expertise with ABB's power grid legacy to create integrated solutions for a sustainable future. The company's focus on advancing carbon-neutral energy systems offers employees the opportunity to work on meaningful projects that directly impact climate change while being part of a global technology leader with deep roots in the utility sector.

About This Role

This Account Manager role focuses on strategic relationship management with utility clients in Richmond, VA or Columbia, SC regions, driving growth across Hitachi Energy's product and service portfolios. The position is impactful because it directly contributes to the company's mission of advancing sustainable energy systems while managing key accounts that are critical to grid modernization and decarbonization efforts in the utility sector.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve virtual meetings with utility clients in your assigned region to discuss ongoing projects and identify new opportunities, followed by internal collaboration with engineering and project teams to develop tailored solutions. You'd likely spend time analyzing market data and competitor activity, updating strategic account plans, and preparing executive briefings on key accounts, with occasional travel for in-person client meetings or industry events.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who HITACHI ENERGY Is Looking For

  • Has 3+ years of account management experience specifically with utility or energy sector clients, demonstrating ability to navigate complex sales cycles in regulated industries
  • Possesses a technical background (engineering or project management) combined with commercial acumen, enabling them to understand both the technical solutions and business value propositions
  • Demonstrates proven ability to build and maintain executive-level relationships within utility organizations, with experience influencing decision-makers on long-term strategic partnerships
  • Shows experience identifying growth opportunities across multiple product lines (not just single product sales) and can articulate how they've expanded account penetration in previous roles

📝 Tips for Applying to HITACHI ENERGY

1

Quantify your utility sector experience - specify which utilities you've worked with, project values, and how you expanded relationships within those organizations

2

Highlight any experience with Hitachi Energy's specific product areas (grid integration, transformers, high-voltage equipment, or digital grid solutions) or similar energy infrastructure products

3

Demonstrate understanding of utility industry challenges like grid modernization, renewable integration, or regulatory compliance in your resume bullet points

4

Mention your willingness and experience with the required 20% travel, providing examples of how you've managed remote client relationships effectively

5

Connect your background directly to the 'some combination' requirement - explicitly show how your mix of engineering, project management, sales, and/or marketing experience makes you uniquely qualified

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience working with utility clients and understanding their unique procurement processes, regulatory constraints, and long planning cycles', "Examples of how you've developed strategic account plans that resulted in portfolio expansion across multiple product or service lines", 'Your ability to collaborate with technical teams to deliver tailored energy solutions, bridging the gap between engineering and commercial requirements', "How your background aligns with Hitachi Energy's sustainability mission and the energy transition, showing passion for the industry beyond just sales targets"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Hitachi Energy's specific solutions for utilities (grid integration, transformer business, digital grid offerings) and recent projects or partnerships in the US utility sector
  • → The company's sustainability commitments and how they align with utility decarbonization goals, particularly in states like Virginia and South Carolina
  • → Recent news about Hitachi Energy's parent company Hitachi Ltd.'s strategic direction and investments in energy transition technologies
  • → Key utility industry trends affecting the Richmond and Columbia regions, such as Virginia's Clean Economy Act or renewable energy developments in the Southeast

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe your experience developing and executing strategic account plans for utility clients - walk us through a specific example including how you identified growth opportunities
2 How would you approach building executive-level relationships at a major utility like Dominion Energy or Duke Energy (key clients in the Richmond/Columbia regions)?
3 What do you see as the biggest challenges utilities face in their transition to carbon-neutral operations, and how can Hitachi Energy help address them?
4 Tell us about a time you had to resolve a complex customer issue while maintaining margin targets - what was your approach and outcome?
5 How do you stay informed about market trends and competitor activity in the utility technology space, and how would you apply that knowledge in this role?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with only B2B sales experience outside the utility/energy sector without making clear connections to how that experience translates to regulated industries
  • Focusing solely on sales achievements without demonstrating the strategic account planning and relationship management aspects critical for utility clients
  • Showing lack of understanding about the remote-but-region-specific nature of the role (must be based near Richmond or Columbia despite remote work flexibility)

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to HITACHI ENERGY!

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