Manager Distribution Portfolio Management - Akron, OH

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, Distribution Portfolio Management identifies and implements portfolio development, management and forecasting best practices that drive uniformity and consistency with the management of the FirstEnergy Business Units and the Transmission portfolio processes. Key responsibilities include holding regular meetings with stakeholders to monitor capital portfolio progress as well as strategic project selection/prioritization based on the investment strategy by state and operating company. This position will be responsible for the analysis, identification, and implementation of all portfolio controls for the FirstEnergy distribution capital portfolio. This position supports content creation for and facilitates leadership discussions focused on the FirstEnergy capital plans.

The manager leads the forecasting of portfolio requirements associated with budget, resources (labor, equipment, and material), and schedules. This individual monitors and manages the dynamic nature of the distribution portfolio and collaborates with all sponsors/stakeholders to achieve the defined portfolio goals. The position supports, as necessary, the Finance and Rates groups with filing requirements and discovery questions.

The preferred reporting location is the FirstEnergy Headquarters in Akron, Ohio. Other reporting sites at headquarters locations in PA, WV, and NJ will be considered.

Responsibilities include:
- Developing, coaching and mentoring the Distribution Portfolio Management team.
- Providing strategic vision of process improvements to develop overall best practices.
- Balancing the distribution capital portfolio to align with the long-term strategy.
- Monitoring, tracking, and reporting on overall team progress, ensuring that the quality of the product developed by the Portfolio team meets FirstEnergy's performance excellence standards and that tasks are completed to meet scheduled dates.
- Achieving operational objectives by contributing information and making recommendations to strategic plans and reviews; preparing and completing action plans.
- Implementing production, productivity, quality, and customer-service standards; resolving problems.
- Developing and systematically managing FirstEnergy's 5-year distribution capital portfolio, currently valued at >$2.5B/year; technically reviewing the capital portfolio process of all FirstEnergy distribution companies.
- Completing audits; identifying trends; determining system improvements and implementing change.
- Facilitating and leading discussions with Stakeholder Groups in support of on boarding projects into the long-term plan.
- Providing a technical review of the project solutions.
- Leading the refinement of project scope and budget documents.
- Reviewing project documents for clarity and completeness.
- Coordinating multiple internal/external support teams to ensure project assumptions are vetted and resolved.
- Communicating project goals, priorities, and decisions to the Leadership Team.
- Reviewing detailed project forecasts and ensuring project challenge meetings, peer reviews and assessments are performed.
- Establishing and maintaining forecasts until the project is ready for further execution. Forecasting contractor/internal resource levels needed to support execution.
- Coordinating major equipment needs to ensure efficient project execution.
- Providing portfolio and project status reports including recurring, standard, and ad hoc reports that address the status of scope, budget, and schedule for the assigned projects. Developing reports that identify risks with a mitigation strategy.
- Ensuring change management protocols are followed to maintain complete documentation of changes in scope, schedule, and cost.
- Developing and communicating lessons learned by leading project review process.
- Supporting the rate development and discovery process.

Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Construction, Business, Finance, or closely related degree and minimum 7 years related work experience are required. Related work experience includes project/portfolio management, Engineering design, finance, business services, operations, or distribution engineering planning/protection.
- Consideration will be given to non-degreed candidates with over ten years of work experience related to project / portfolio management.
- Demonstrated supervision of employees is preferred.
- Strong project management skills are required with a demonstrated ability to develop, manage, and control multiple tasks.
- Experience with a project management tool such as Primavera, MS Project, etc. with related Scheduling/Resource Planning expertise is preferred.
- Experience with utility distribution company operations is preferred.
- Able to work independently, as well as collaboratively, with multiple departments in multiple locations.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, strong written and verbal communication skills and strong analytical abilities
- Possess knowledge of the electric distribution system, regulatory landscape and reliability standards.
- Proficient computer skills (Word, Excel and Outlook) required with core understanding of applicable technical applications

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.
FirstEnergy takes a market-based approach to pay, which may vary depending on your location. In addition, your actual base salary will depend on various factors such as your skills, qualifications, and experience.
The estimated pay range for this role is $123,500 - $150,000. The pay range for certain locations, including the state of New Jersey, include a 20% differential to account for an increased cost of living, making the pay range $148,000 - $180,000.

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

Desired Skills and Experience

Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Construction, Business, Finance, or closely related degree and minimum 7 years related work experience are required. Related work experience includes project/portfolio management, Engineering design, finance, business services, operations, or distribution engineering planning/protection.
Consideration will be given to non-degreed candidates with over ten years of work experience related to project / portfolio management.
Demonstrated supervision of employees is preferred.
Strong project management skills are required with a demonstrated ability to develop, manage, and control multiple tasks.
Experience with a project management tool such as Primavera, MS Project, etc. with related Scheduling/Resource Planning expertise is preferred.
Experience with utility distribution company operations is preferred.
Able to work independently, as well as collaboratively, with multiple departments in multiple locations.
Excellent interpersonal skills, strong written and verbal communication skills and strong analytical abilities
Possess knowledge of the electric distribution system, regulatory landscape and reliability standards.
Proficient computer skills (Word, Excel and Outlook) required with core understanding of applicable technical applications