Program Manager, Transmission Strategic Ventures

Job Description

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 FirstEnergy Service Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp.

This is a full-time, on-site position located in either Akron, OH or Greensburg, PA.

Summary

The program manager will be positioned in the Transmission Strategic Ventures team within the PJM Strategy & Connection Support organization. This role will lead the daily program and project execution activities and milestone management for FirstEnergy Transmission’s strategic partnerships, including Valley Link Transmission and Grid Growth Ventures.

The position requires an in-depth understanding of transmission line and substation project development, project execution, and operational/maintenance practices. The position will foster operational alignment amongst FirstEnergy and its strategic partners. This position will work within a staff of engineers and business analysts, through varying degrees of internal and external relationships, responsible for managing day-to-day operations, ensuring project milestones are met, maintaining regulatory compliance, and exercising strong inter-utility relationships.

The role will also provide technical and operational alignment to the PJM bid proposal strategy and evaluation of projects submitted through PJM’s Regional Transmission Expansion Plan (RTEP) Open Window process.

Responsibilities Include

• Lead operational planning and execution of jointly developed transmission projects with other electric utilities.
• Serve as an operational liaison with partner utilities, internal teams, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
• Manage project budgets, schedules, and resources to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery.
• Ensure compliance with federal (e.g., FERC), regional (e.g., NERC), and state regulatory requirements.
• Identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies related to project development, construction, operation, and maintenance practices.
• Track and report on project performance metrics, implementing improvements where necessary.
• Oversee execution and administration of joint development agreements, construction contracts, and interconnection agreements.
• Collaborate with engineering, standards, construction, estimating, legal, and finance teams to align project goals and deliverables.
• Ensure operational standards are in place before commissioning and support the transition to operations teams post-completion.
• Executing the development and implementation of the department’s Business Plan and other continuous improvement initiatives as required.
• Initiating and revising operational and maintenance criteria amongst FirstEnergy and its strategic partners.
• Providing project status reports and supporting the organization of emergent information requests.
• Communicating program and project goals, assumptions and decisions to corporate, regional, and/or external entities.
• Leading project challenge meetings, peer reviews, and assessments.
• Self-performing audits of completed projects to evaluate gaps in tools or processes.
  
  

Qualifications Include

• Bachelor of Science degree in Business, Engineering, Finance, Construction Management or related field is required. Minimum of 6 years related experience required. In lieu of degree, consideration will be given to applicants having 10 years related experience.
• Related experience includes project organization, engineering, finance, construction, project management, planning or project controls.
• PMP Certification preferred.
• Familiarity with reading and interpreting technical documents
• Excellent interpersonal skills, strong written and verbal communication skills, and strong analytical ability is required
• Experience with project management tools such as but not limited to: Primavera, EcoSys, Microsoft Office Products, etc.
• Understanding of Utility Construction Practices is preferred.
• Working knowledge of the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC).
• The successful candidate must be a team player and possess a willingness to work in a team environment. Must be willing to travel to assigned project locations throughout the service territory.
• Commitment to FirstEnergy’s Safety Policies and Human Performance Tools
• Valid driver’s license. Must embrace a safety culture and maintain a safe work environment for co-workers and the public.
• Must be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously and be able to work effectively under the pressure of deadlines, unexpected developments, changes in project scope, budget constraints, unforeseen field problems and demands on time for work assignments outside of the normal duties.
• Ability to make practical decisions without undue delay and based on the best information available at the time that the decision must be made.
• Must be self-directed and not dependent on detailed instruction from others.
  
  

Benefits, Compensation & Workforce Diversity

At FirstEnergy, employees are key to our success. We depend on their talents to meet the challenges of our changing business environment. We are committed to rewarding individual and team efforts through our total rewards philosophy which includes competitive pay plus incentive compensation, a company-sponsored pension plan, 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution, a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs, as well as skills development training with tuition reimbursement. Please visit our website at www.firstenergycorp.com to learn more about all of our employee rewards programs. FirstEnergy proudly supports workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. No recruiters or agencies without a previously signed contract. Unable to sponsor or transfer H-1B visas at this time.

Safety

Safety is a core value for FirstEnergy and is essential to all of our business activities. We ensure employees have the tools, information, and processes to perform their duties in a manner that assures safety for themselves, their co-workers, our customers and the public. Our goals are to provide a safe work environment, to maintain an accident-free, injury-free workplace, and to promote and maintain public safety. To meet these goals, we dedicate ourselves to achieving world-class safety standards.

Position Classification

Exempt

FirstEnergy Human Resources Team