Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is about more than power. We’re about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas’ Best Places to work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!

We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.

We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:

• Competitive pay with bonus opportunities
• Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short term disability, long term disability, and life insurance
• Relocation assistance to those that currently live 50 miles away from SPP’s office in Little Rock

• Hybrid working environment for positions that are eligible where employees have the flexibility to work from home 50% of the time within commuting distance of SPP.
• Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a defined benefit plan fully funded by SPP

Overview

The Interregional Strategist will champion the effective and efficient execution of all interregional processes and activities required under SPP’s seams agreements. Strong interpersonal skills, the ability to communicate effectively, and the ability to develop and maintain strong and effective relationships with other SPP employees, employees at neighboring utilities, stakeholders, and regulators is critical to the success of this position. This includes being the single point of contact for members, seams neighbors, and other departments internal to SPP to ensure SPP is meeting its obligations related to efficient coordinated operations and joint coordinated planning, including the facilitation of third party impact assessments.

The Interregional Strategist takes a lead role in negotiating acceptable cost allocation policies for interregional transmission projects as well as independently identifying areas of improvement and potential changes to SPP's seams agreements. This includes soliciting member input through the Seams Advisory Group on enhancements to seams agreements and coordinating with appropriate internal subject matter experts in drafting appropriate language. The position is also responsible for working with the Manager, Interregional Strategy and Engagement; the Director, Seams and Tariff Services; the Seams Advisory Group; and other internal and external stakeholders to implement policies impacting SPP’s seams consistent with executive direction and SPP’s strategic plan.

A wide range of skills are required to review, understand, and communicate seams-related technical and policy matters, understand and comply with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regulations and North American Electric Reliability Corporation reliability standards, write and present technical reports, and communicate with both internal and external customers, stakeholders, and regulators. The position requires extensive contact and work with employees at all levels of the organization, stakeholders and regulators external to the company, and employees at neighboring utilities. The Senior Interregional Strategist must be capable of effectively performing SPP staff secretary responsibilities for working groups, committees, and task forces. In all cases, the employee is expected to work with minimal supervision.

Essential Functions

• Independently make decisions and recommendations regarding the development and maintenance of SPP’s seams agreements, negotiating modifications to SPP’s seams agreements, and coordinate these activities with all impacted areas of the organization
• Take a lead role in negotiating with SPP’s seams neighbors regarding the appropriate cost allocation of mutually beneficial transmission projects, enhancements to the equitable management of congestion along the seams, and other seams-related planning and operations activities
• Capable of effectively fulfilling the role of staff secretary for the Seams Advisory Group and associated task forces including developing and presenting meeting agendas and materials, coordinating the development of meeting materials from other internal staff, and taking meeting minutes
• Demonstrate and advocate a strong culture of compliance by making recommendations regarding business activities and requirements necessary for compliance with SPP’s seams agreements, develop business process and procedure documentation, and coordinate periodic audit activities to ensure compliance
• Develop and maintain effective, positive working relationships with a wide range of customers, stakeholders, federal and state regulators, and neighboring entities and serve as a single point of contact for SPP’s seams agreement responsibilities
• Engage with SPP’s members and neighbors to champion the identification and approval of cost-beneficial seams transmission expansion projects
• Lead appropriate cross-departmental personnel to coordinate engineering analysis related to the evaluation of interregional planning activities including joint coordinated system planning and third party impact assessments
• Prepare RFP’s, independently assess respondents, and provide oversight of consultants in the performance of special studies and assessments related to SPP’s seams activities
• Lead the development and negotiation of cost allocation policies for interregional transmission projects
• Represent and effectively communicate SPP’s interests and positions in various stakeholder and industry forums
• Monitor and participate in state and federal regulatory forums to advocate for SPP’s interests on seams-related matters
• Serve as a mentor for junior-level employees and as an example of SPP’s culture in furtherance of SPP’s mission
• Perform special assignments as required.

Qualifications

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical or business discipline; OR Three (3) years of relevant job-related experience

Experience Requirements:

• Sr Interregional Strategist- Seven (7) years of relevant job-related experience (in excess of educational requirements above)
• Interregional Strategist III- Five (5) years of relevant job-related experience (in excess of educational requirements above)

Other Requirements:

• Exhibit flexibility and the ability to function with constantly changing and multiple priorities
• Good organizational skills and effective written and oral communication skills required to work with all levels of management and staff, stakeholders, and regulators
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Understanding of and compliance with SPP Policies and Procedures
• Demonstrated understanding and adherence to SPP’s culture

Preferred:

• Experience in the electric utility industry, database management systems, data analysis and ad hoc report writing
• Experience in the electric utility industry in the Western Interconnection
• Experience in analyzing and evaluating power system behavior
• Experience in contract negotiation in a business environment
• Advanced degree

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to make decisions, interpret data, and problem solve.
• The employee frequently is required to stand or sit for extended periods; use hands to operate a computer keyboard and standard office equipment.
• The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 10 pounds.
• Requires the ability to work and collaborate with managers and employees at all levels to exchange ideas, information, and opinions to facilitate the task.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of workweek are Monday through Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Working extended hours may be required.

Travel Requirement:

This position requires minimal travel (approximately 0--20%).