Director Enterprise Project Management Office - Business Transformation - Akron FirstEnergy Headquarters

FirstEnergy•Akron, OH

13h•$227,000 - $278,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director, Enterprise Project Management Office leads delivery of FirstEnergy’s Business Transformation portfolio and reports to the VP of Business Transformation. The Director leads a team of Project Specialists and establishes the project delivery methodology, stage-gate governance, delivery health reporting, and resource scheduling used across concurrent initiatives. The role builds project management capability across Business Transformation and the broader enterprise, and advises leadership when delivery patterns indicate work should be rescoped, resequenced, or stopped. The Director is expected to strengthen delivery discipline across the portfolio rather than manage individual initiatives. This is a full-time position requiring four days per week on-site at an office within FirstEnergy’s service territory: Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia/Maryland, or Washington, DC. Travel to work locations across the territory is required as needed. Participation in storm restoration or emergency response duties may be required. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. FirstEnergy offers competitive pay and incentive compensation, a company-sponsored pension plan, a 401(k) savings plan with employer matching, medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs, and skills development training with tuition reimbursement. The stated market rate is $211,000; New Jersey and Washington, DC locations have a 20% differential, with a stated range of $227,000–$278,000. Actual base salary depends on location, skills, qualifications, and experience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, information systems, or a related discipline.
At least 10 years of relevant work experience, including leading project or program delivery across multiple concurrent initiatives.
PMP, PfMP, or equivalent portfolio or program management certification.
Demonstrated experience establishing project delivery methodology, standards, or governance that others consistently apply.
Experience leading and developing a team of project or program managers.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to influence senior leaders’ decision-making.
Ability to manage a portfolio of concurrent initiatives across multiple business units and deliver accurate work within established deadlines.
Legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
Ability to travel to work locations across the territory as needed.
Participation in storm restoration or emergency response duties as assigned may be required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or MBA.
Experience establishing or scaling an enterprise project management office.
Prior experience in the electric utility industry or another regulated operating environment.
PgMP, PMI-ACP, SAFe, or equivalent program or agile delivery certification.
Experience delivering in traditional stage-gate and iterative or agile modes, with judgment about when each applies.
Experience selecting and deploying enterprise project portfolio management (PPM) tooling.

Responsibilities

Lead and develop a team of Project Managers and build project management as a core capability within Business Transformation.
Own the project delivery methodology and governance framework, including stage gates, reporting cadence, risk and issue management, and handover requirements.
Own portfolio delivery health and report performance and forecasts to executive leadership through a predictable review rhythm.
Advise leadership when delivery performance indicates work should be rescoped, resequenced, or stopped, and uphold delivery standards at stage gates.
Own resource scheduling and capacity management for direct Project Manager reports across concurrent initiatives, coordinating with peer discipline Directors and Portfolio Managers and surfacing conflicts early.
Identify systemic causes of delivery failure across the portfolio and drive improvements to methodology, capacity, or governance.
Select and/or develop, implement, and continuously improve project management tools and templates.
Build project management capability beyond Business Transformation through standards, training, and coaching.
Manage third-party delivery resources and contractor capacity, including onboarding, adherence to standards, and performance.
Contribute to Business Transformation strategy, portfolio governance, and capability planning as a member of the leadership team.
Champion FirstEnergy’s safety culture and ensure transformation work does not compromise safe operations.