Lead Customer Engagement Analyst-Data Centers

Location: Merrillville, IN office (Hybrid – 3 days/week in office)

Job Summary
The Lead Customer Engagement Analyst supports Commercial Development's datacenter strategy by providing analytical, coordination, and execution support across pipeline and contracted projects within the Customer Engagement department. The role supports customer facing activities, project financial and schedule tracking, billing and invoicing, and consistent reporting, while partnering with cross functional teams to ensure accurate data, timely coordination, and clear communication across the project lifecycle. This role operates in a fast-paced environment requiring adaptability, initiative, and the ability to deliver high quality work amid changing priorities, while offering direct exposure to one of the most significant long term growth areas for the utility industry, and an opportunity to build valuable commercial and analytical skills working with sophisticated customers.

Essential Functions

• Support early-stage datacenter opportunity development by coordinating customer-facing activities, internal inputs, and readiness for key decision gates.

• Prepare analyses, materials, and summaries to support customer discussions, proposals, and leadership reviews.

• Track pipeline milestones, assumptions, risks, and documentation to ensure transparency and alignment across internal teams.

• Support execution activities for contracted datacenter projects following commercial agreement execution.

• Assist with project financial setup, invoicing coordination, and resolution of billing-related questions with finance and accounting teams.

• Track cost, schedule, performance, risks, and key decisions to support internal and customer updates.

• Support cost, schedule, and performance tracking for both pipeline and contracted datacenter initiatives.

• Maintain inputs for forecasts, budgets, and cash flow, ensuring data accuracy across systems and sources.

• Identify variances and trends and prepare concise analytical summaries for Customer Engagement and Commercial Development leadership.

• Coordinate cross-functional inputs across Customer Engagement, Commercial Development, engineering, construction, finance, regulatory, legal, and related teams.

• Support customer and internal meetings and reporting through agenda preparation, action tracking, and clear status updates.

 

Required Qualifications For Position​

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Engineering, Finance, Construction Management, or a related field with minimum 5 years of working experience.

• 5+ years experience in energy, utilities, or economic development, with a proven track record in business development and project management.

• Experience supporting customer-facing projects, programs, or commercial initiatives involving cross-functional stakeholders.

• Familiarity with project financials, including billing, invoicing, and financial controls.

• Demonstrated analytical skills with experience in cost, schedule, or performance tracking.

• Demonstrated planning, organizational, and time management skills.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines.

• Experience applying economic, statistic, and econometric concepts/ methods.

• Advanced quantitative analysis and critical thinking skills. Demonstrated ability to break down and analyze large, complex problems, recognize strategic implications, and implement action plans.

• Demonstrated time management skills, including the ability to prioritize and advance multiple work streams concurrently.

• Self-starter who takes action to identify, analyze and improve existing processes within organization.

• Demonstrate sound judgment and initiative in working within departmental and corporate guidelines, including the ability to handle highly confidential information.

• Strong collaboration and communications skills, ability to engage with others.

Preferred Additional Qualifications for Position​

• Advanced degree in Business, Economics, Strategy, Statistics, Finance, or related field.

• Experience supporting datacenter, infrastructure, utility, or large commercial customer projects.

• Experience supporting feasibility studies, early-stage project development, or commercial contracting activities.

• Experience working in regulated or complex operating environments.

As a public utility, NiSource is required to provide continuous service to customers at all times. To ensure we fulfill that obligation, employees may be required to work outside their normal work hours and perform tasks outside of their normal responsibilities in support of emergency operations.

Work Authorization

Authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.

Workplace Connection
Value inclusion within your day to day responsibilities by respecting others perspectives/convictions, engaging others opinions, creating a safe environment where people, ideas, and opinions are valued within your Team/Customers and external partners.

Respect the unique lived experiences within your Team/Customers and external work partners by valuing different world views, challenges, and cultures that represents all walks of life and all backgrounds.​

Treat others with respect and consideration. Actively participate in creating and contributing to a positive work environment.

Equal Employment Opportunity 
NiSource is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in each of its companies to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, veteran status, disability, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, childbirth or related medical conditions), genetic information, citizenship status, or any protected group status as defined by law. Each employee is expected to abide by this principle.

By applying, you may be considered for other job opportunities. 

ADA Accommodations

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process or to perform the essential functions of the position, please contact OneHR at OneHR@nisource.com or 1-888-640-3320

E-Verify

NiSource participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify program. As part of this process, we provide the following notices to all job applicants: These documents inform you of your rights and responsibilities under U.S. law. You can view or download them using the links below:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) E-Verify Participation Poster English and Spanish
• Right to Work Poster (English and Spanish) If you have the right to work, don't let anyone take it away

Salary Range*:

$96,600.00 - $144,900.00

*The salary offered to a candidate is based on several factors including but not limited to the candidate’s skills, job-related knowledge, and relevant experience, as well as internal pay equity.

Posting Start Date:

2026-05-22

Posting End Date (if applicable):

2026-06-01

Please note that the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.