Director Budgeting & Forecasting - Strategy, Long Term Planning & Bus Performance - Akron General Office Bldg

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. [SC00]

Director, Budgeting & Forecasting is located in Akron, OH and reports to the VP, Strategy, Long-Term Planning & Business Performance. The position leads a team of managers, supervisors and analysts that are directly responsible for development of FirstEnergy’s consolidated budgeting and forecasting requirements, financial KPI tracking, as well as oversight of our forecasting software. This position partners across the entire organization for the planning and execution of all budgeting and forecasting with the goal of maximizing shareholder returns and cash flows while minimizing customer bill impacts and providing the necessary balance for operations to provide strong service to our customers.  

Responsibilities: 

Provides direction and leadership from the following perspectives:

• Demonstrating and leading a solid commitment to all aspects of FirstEnergy’s core values and behaviors.
• Owns the entire budgeting and forecasting process from start to finish to ensure all parties achieve their committed targets within the forecast
• Sets the strategic vision/aspiration of the long-term forecast to maximize the value of the forecast to all stakeholders.
• Partners with all levels of the organization to understand the needs, opportunities and risks to the forecast.
• Provides solutions to maintain targeted growth levels in the face of headwinds and to maximize the value of tailwinds.
• Own the creation of the Financial KPIs from a short and long-term perspective.
• Oversees the creation of scenario analysis of the forecast for various strategic transactions providing alternatives to the current plan to maximize value and contingency plan.
• Oversees the creation of our long-term load forecast which is the basis for customer usage and revenues.
• Provides periodic updates to Executive Council on the status of the forecast, including opportunities and risks to the forecast and alternative pathways to achievement of results
• The key liaison of the financial forecasting aspect of the strategy retreat, investor materials, board materials, rating agencies, regulatory filings, etc.  
• Creates an environment of continuous improvement always looking for opportunities to maximize value of the group and the forecast.
• Direct reports include leaders of Load Forecasting & Regulated Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting and Scenario Planning

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or related discipline required; Master’s degree and CPA preferred
• Minimum of ten years relevant work experience at progressively increasing levels of responsibility and leadership is required. Relevant experience includes experience in accounting, financial or financial-support role required
• Performs in accordance with the FirstEnergy Core Values & Behaviors, leads by example, and demonstrates how these values and behaviors align with the Company’s mission, priorities, objectives, and interests
• Strong financial acumen including experience with financial statements including Income Statements, Balance Sheets and Statement of Cash Flows
• Previous significant budgetary responsibility
• Accomplished and approachable leader, with a demonstrated track record driving continuous improvement 
• Strategic vision and continuous improvement mindset
• Experience with working across an entire organization to align on a common goal or objective
• Fosters an inclusive work environment that supports FirstEnergy’s overall goal of diversity and inclusion
• Acts in an ethical and professional manner, with the highest level of integrity, and in compliance with the code of business conduct and all relevant policies and procedures
• Builds relationships through collaboration and teamwork, across all levels and departments of the company

Specific knowledge and experience requirements include: 

• Experience in a highly regulated environment 
• A general knowledge of GAA