Manager, Program Development Distribution Platform Enhancement

FirstEnergy at a Glance

We are a forward-thinking electric utility powered by a diverse team of employees committed to making customers’ lives brighter, the environment better and our communities stronger. 

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability, and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of more than 3,500 megawatts.

About the Opportunity

This is an open position with the FirstEnergy Service Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp.

The manager of the Distribution Platform Enhancement Program Delivery team holds an important role in FE’s growth strategy through owning program management for the distribution smart grid, reliability, and resiliency programs over the next 5 years.

The position is responsible for systematic development, standardization, optimization, implementation, management, and effectiveness tracking for these programs. The manager drives innovation by solutioning and implementing new technologies and approaches that promote reliability, resiliency, efficiency, and sustainability across FirstEnergy. This requires a deep understanding of the industry, technical knowledge, experience setting strategic vision, strong leadership skills, and the ability to collaborate with a range of stakeholders to achieve shared goals.

This position is located on site at the FirstEnergy Headquarters in Akron, Ohio

Responsibilities include:

• Owning end-to-end and being accountable to successfully implement FE’s Distribution investment and reliability programs, providing leadership for the scheduling, project management, construction management, program level forecasting, safety, quality and regulatory interface and reporting.
• Systematically developing, standardizing, optimizing, implementing, managing, and tracking effectiveness of Programs. 
• Setting a strategic vision that guides the program's development and implementation. Setting specific goals and objectives, identifying technical requirements, establishing, and communicating a roadmap.  
• Developing strategic implementation plans that align with the organization's overall goals, objectives, and timelines. Analyzing current industry trends, evaluating new technologies, and assessing potential risks and opportunities to create a strategic plan that maximizes customer benefits. 
• Overseeing program's implementation efforts through evaluating and monitoring progress to ensure timelines are met including key performance indicators and variance reporting against plan; identifying, resolving or escalating issues quickly and decisively; identifying and obtaining approval for scope/schedule/resource changes, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders 
• Ensuring well defined expected benefits for each program and confirming realization of those benefits. 
• Fostering a high degree of collaboration and partnership with strategy and regulatory teams during program design, filing and discovery phases leading up to regulatory approval and delivery.  
• Managing a team of professionals working on Grid of the Future Programs which could include engineers, analysts, and other professionals reporting directly or indirectly throughout the organization. Providing leadership, mentorship, and guidance to ensure the team is working effectively and efficiently. Set clear expectations with accountability to achieve commitments.
• Identifying technology requirements and partnering to support program's goals. Involves researching and evaluating smart grid technical capabilities and functionality to determine alignment with program's objectives and budget. Support piloting, operation, and maintenance of smart grid assets. Develop appropriate technology standards and provide engineering support as needed.
• Coordinating procurement plans and contract negotiations to ensure the best value for the program investment 
• Researching and analyzing industry trends, developing technologies, and regulatory policies that impact Programs. Instrumental in developing and advocating on FE position.
• Ensuring strong change management supporting ongoing operation and maintenance of smart grid technology assets. Supports development of appropriate technology standards and communication protocols. Coordinates engineering and IT system integration support as needed.
• Supporting regulatory program reports, proceedings, and rate filings
• Development and approval for budgets with accountability to ensure the program operates within budgeta