Grant Analyst I - Hydrogen Solutions (EX2/CL4)

Location

Torrance, California

Job Purpose

At Honda, our Decarbonization Business Unit is leading the charge in transforming energy products and services to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. Our mission is to achieve Honda's Triple Zero goals: 100% carbon-neutral products, 100% resource circularity, and 100% use of clean energy. We are committed to building a skilled, knowledgeable, and engaged team to drive these initiatives forward.

As a Business Analyst focused on grants and funding opportunities within the Decarbonization Business Unit, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the growth and commercialization of decarbonization technologies. Your responsibilities will include identifying, applying for, and managing grants and funding opportunities that align with our strategic objectives. You will conduct market analysis, develop business strategies, manage projects, and collaborate with internal teams and external partners.

Internally, you will work with departments such as R&D, Finance, Marketing, and Strategy to gather data, develop business plans, and manage decarbonization projects. You will provide regular reports on market trends, project progress, and strategic insights to senior leadership.

Externally, you will build and maintain relationships with agencies, research institutions, and commercial partners. Your role will involve gathering market intelligence, monitoring policy updates, and identifying partnership opportunities to position Honda as a leader in the decarbonization sector.

Honda is dedicated to creating a sustainable future through our Triple Action to Zero approach. This role offers a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of Honda's journey toward sustainable mobility and clean energy solutions. As a Business Analyst, you will be crucial in driving the strategy and execution of decarbonization initiatives, directly contributing to Honda's environmental and sustainability goals. Join us in crafting a more responsible and sustainable future!     
 

Key Accountabilities

• Grant Research and Proposal Management (40%):  Identify and Pursue Grants: Research and identify grant opportunities aligned with Honda's decarbonization goals. Maintain a database of funding sources, deadlines, and requirements. Application Process Management: Lead the application process, ensuring compliance with grant requirements and timely submission.
• Market Research and Industry Analysis (15%): Trend Analysis: Conduct market research to identify trends, opportunities, and competitive dynamics in the hydrogen and decarbonization sectors. Utilize surveys, interviews, and data analysis. Data Synthesis and Reporting: Synthesize market data to generate insights supporting strategic decision-making. Prepare reports and presentations on market opportunities, threats, and recommendations. Competitive Analysis: Monitor competitor activities and provide regular updates and insights to senior leadership.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration (15%): Relationship Building: Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders, including industry associations, supply chain partners, regulatory bodies, and grant institutions. Cross-Departmental Coordination: Facilitate collaboration between internal departments to ensure coordinated efforts across initiatives and projects. Lead cross-functional meetings to discuss progress and challenges.  External Representation: Represent Honda at industry events, conferences, and meetings to promote decarbonization initiatives and build connections.
• Strategic Decision Support (10%): Data-Driven Insights: Provide senior leadership with data-driven insights and recommendations for strategic planning and investment in decarbonization initiatives. Present detailed business cases, including cost-benefit analyses and risk assessments. Scenario Planning: Conduct scenario planning and forecasting to evaluate the impact of strategic options on business objectives.
• Reporting and Communication (10%):  Comprehensive Reporting: Prepare and distribute reports on market trends, project progress, and key performance indicators. Ensure reports are clear and tailored to various audiences. Transparent Communication: Promote transparent communication across departments for alignment and informed decision-making. Develop communication strategies to keep stakeholders informed.
• Continuous Improvement (10%): Process Monitoring: Monitor and evaluate business processes to identify areas for improvement. Use analytical tools to document and identify inefficiencies. Post-Implementation Reviews: Conduct reviews to assess project success and gather feedback. Develop action plans to address issues and improve future outcomes. Innovation and Best Practices: Stay informed of industry best practices and emerging technologies. Implement process improvements and track their effectiveness.
• Industry Engagement and Networking (5%):  Active Participation: Participate in industry events to stay current on trends and foster connections. Present at events to enhance Honda’s visibility and reputation. Network Building: Build and maintain a network of industry contacts for knowledge sharing and collaboration.
• Requirements Definition and Management (5%): Gathering and Defining Requirements: Collaborate with stakeholders to gather and define project requirements. Document requirements clearly using tools like use cases and process maps. Change Management: Manage changes to requirements throughout the project lifecycle. Conduct regular reviews to ensure relevance and alignment with objectives. Stakeholder Communication: Ensure stakeholders understand requirements and project objectives. Facilitate communication and feedback loops to address issues or changes promptly.

Qualifications, Experience, and Skills

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in business, public administration, engineering, economics, environmental science, sustainability, or a related field.

Professional experience:

• 3-5 years of professional experience in business analysis, market research, or related roles, with a focus on the energy sector, sustainable technologies, or related fields.
  • autonomous work capability: demonstrated ability to work independently and navigate ambiguous work environments, effectively balancing multiple projects and priorities.
  • market research and financial analysis: prior experience in conducting in-depth market research, financial modeling, and feasibility studies to inform business decisions. Experience in grant research and proposal development is a plus.
  • relationship management: proven ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders, including industry associations, vendors, governmental bodies, and grant agencies.
  • stakeholder engagement: experience in stakeholder engagement and cross-functional collaboration within a corporate setting to ensure strategic alignment across different projects and initiatives.
  • technical proficiency: basic proficiency in using data analysis tools, as well as essential software in the ms office suite (excel, powerpoint, and word) for tasks including but not limited to report creation, data visualization, and professional correspondence.
  • communication skills: excellent communication skills, with a proven ability to convey intricate details in an understandable and compelling manner to various audiences, including executives and technical experts.
  • project execution: a verified history of effectively contributing to the successful execution of projects, achieving business objectives, and meeting or exceeding key performance indicators.
• Continuous Improvement: Demonstrated experience in continuously monitoring and improving business processes, implementing innovative solutions, and conducting post-implementation reviews to assess project success and gather feedback for future enhancements.

Working Conditions

• Primarily office work with up to 25% travel
• 2 days or less per week in office; 80% option to work remotely  
• Proposal Development and Review: The Business Analyst will allocate approximately 40% of their time to researching, writing, and reviewing grant proposals. This will involve collaborating with different departments, gathering necessary information, and ensuring proposals align with grant criteria.
• Administrative Duties and Collaboration: About 35% of the Business Analyst's time will be office-based, focusing on tasks such as administrative duties, liaising with various departments, maintaining a database of grant opportunities, tracking grant application deadlines, and coordinating meetings with potential funding entities.  
• Research, Training, and Industry Engagement: The Business Analyst will spend approximately 20% of their time staying updated on grant policies, attending workshops, training sessions, or webinars related to grant writing and policy updates. Additionally, attending industry events, conferences, and possibly traveling to these events will be an essential aspect of their role to gather information from various sources to support grant applications and to network with industry peers.