(2027 Graduates) Senior Associate - Management Advisory (Energy Practice)

About this role

About Charles River Associates

Charles River Associates is a leading global consulting firm that provides economic, financial, and business management expertise to major law firms, corporations and governments around the world. CRA advises clients on economic and financial matters pertaining to litigation and regulatory proceedings, and guides corporations through critical business strategy and performance-related issues. Since 1965, clients have engaged CRA for its combination of industry experience and rigorous, fact-based analysis that provide clients with clear, implementable solutions to complex business concerns.

CRA’s Energy Practice helps clients address the decisions shaping the future of the energy industry: how to meet growing electricity demand, invest in infrastructure, maintain reliable and affordable service, and respond to changes in markets, regulation, and technology. We work with utilities, investors, developers, large energy users, regulators, and other industry participants, combining commercial insight with economic analysis and technical expertise.

Our engagements span business strategy, resource and infrastructure planning, regulatory policy, market analysis, mergers and acquisitions, and litigation. We help clients evaluate growth opportunities, prioritize capital investments, improve operations, and manage risk. This includes advising on the expansion of data centers and other large energy users, investment in generation and networks, and the implications of emerging technologies for energy businesses and their customers.

Position Overview

Senior Associates in our Energy Practice work on teams that help clients make major strategic, investment, and operational decisions. They structure complex problems, conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses, and translate findings into clear recommendations for executives and other decision-makers.

The role offers exposure to diverse clients and challenges across the energy industry, with opportunities to take ownership of workstreams, contribute to client discussions, and work closely with senior experts. Successful candidates bring intellectual curiosity, strong analytical and communication skills, and an interest in understanding how energy businesses operate, compete, and invest.

Primary responsibilities for Senior Associates include:

• Contribute across all phases of client engagements, from defining key questions and conducting strategic, financial, market, and organizational analyses to developing recommendations and supporting implementation;

• Evaluate complex business challenges facing energy clients, translating data and research into clear insights and practical recommendations;

• Manage project workstreams, including work planning, coordination of junior team members, and delivery of high-quality analyses and client materials;

• Present findings and recommendations to mid- and senior-level clients, helping build consensus and inform decisions;

• Lead and coach junior consultants, providing direction, feedback, and opportunities to develop their skills;

• Support business development through proposal preparation and identification of opportunities to address client needs; and

• Contribute to practice development through thought leadership, development of analytical tools and methods, training, and recruiting.

Desired Qualifications

We welcome candidates with different combinations of academic training and professional experience. Strong candidates will bring analytical ability, sound judgment, and demonstrated energy industry experience.

• Currently pursuing an MBA, master’s degree, or PhD, with graduation expected in 2027. Relevant academic backgrounds include economics, engineering, finance, accounting, operations research, data science, and power systems;

• Typically three to five years of relevant professional experience before graduate study, or substantial applied research experience relevant to the energy industry;

• Demonstrated energy industry experience through professional roles, client engagements, or substantial applied research. Candidates should understand energy businesses, markets, infrastructure, or regulation and be able to connect that experience to the challenges our clients face;

• Ability to structure ambiguous problems, assess evidence, evaluate trade-offs, and develop practical recommendations;

• Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, including the ability to interpret data, critically assess assumptions, and connect findings to business decisions;

• Clear, persuasive written and verbal communication, with the ability to explain complex ideas to audiences with different levels of technical knowledge;

• Ability to take ownership of a workstream, exercise independent judgment, and manage priorities and deadlines; and

• A collaborative approach and the ability to guide junior colleagues, provide constructive feedback, and contribute to their development.

Additional experience in business strategy, performance improvement, investment analysis, transactions, regulatory proceedings, financial or power system modeling, optimization, data analytics, or programming is valuable. We assess these capabilities in the context of each candidate’s background and potential contribution to the team; modeling or programming experience is not required for every candidate.

To Apply

To be considered for a position in the United States, we require the following:

• Resume – please include personal email and telephone number;

• Cover letter – please describe your interest in CRA and how this role matches your goals.

If you are interested in applying for a position in Canada, please visit our Careers site to view and apply for available jobs.

Career Growth and Benefits

• CRA’s robust skills development programs, including both formal and informal programs, encourage you to thrive as an individual and team member. Beginning with research and analysis skill…