Director Wildfire Program Strategy & Analytics - FE Operations - Akron FirstEnergy Headquarters

FirstEnergy • Akron, OH

22h • Onsite

About The Position

FirstEnergy is seeking a Director, Wildfire Mitigation to be the executive owner for the utility’s end‑to‑end wildfire risk strategy. This role spans governance, risk analytics, regulatory strategy, program design and execution, operational readiness, and cross‑jurisdictional stakeholder engagement. The leader will build and scale a high‑performing organization to reduce ignition risk, enhance community and system resilience, and enable sustainable regulatory recovery across multiple state jurisdictions. The role stewards the company’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan (WMP) portfolio, ensuring measurable risk reduction aligned to enterprise goals and Board oversight. This is a full-time, on-site position located in Holmdel or Morriston, NJ or Akron, OH.

Requirements

• Minimum 15+ years of progressive leadership in investor‑owned or large public power utilities, energy infrastructure, or critical infrastructure risk domains; 8+ years leading cross‑functional programs/portfolios at scale.
• Demonstrated success designing and governing enterprise‑wide risk mitigation portfolios with regulatory recovery.
• Expertise in wildfire risk or closely related domains (grid hardening, vegetation risk, emergency management, reliability engineering, power system protection).
• Strong command of utility regulatory constructs, rate mechanisms, and testimony/filing processes.
• Proven leadership of multi‑state or multi‑jurisdictional initiatives with complex stakeholder environments.
• Exceptional communication skills with Board‑level presence; ability to translate technical risk into business and community outcomes.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Emergency Management, Public Policy, or related field.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree (MBA, MPA, MS in Engineering, Data Science, or related).
• Professional credentials such as P.E., PMP, CEM (Certified Emergency Manager), or wildfire/ICS/NIMS certifications.
• Experience establishing PSPS frameworks, wildfire meteorology programs, remote sensing/imagery operations, and modern vegetation risk programs.
• Demonstrated success securing grants/federal funding and managing external research or pilot consortia.

Responsibilities

• Establish the enterprise Wildfire Mitigation strategy with clear goals, policies, and decision rights; align with enterprise risk appetite, climate adaptation strategy, asset management, and Grid Modernization plans.
• Design and chair the Wildfire Governance Council, integrating Transmission, Distribution, Vegetation Management, System Planning, Regulatory, Legal, and Corporate Affairs.
• Own the multi‑year WMP portfolio (capital and O&M): set priorities, sequencing, and tradeoffs; ensure alignment to risk models and regulatory recovery pathways.
• Provide regular briefings and written reports to the Executive Risk Management Committee and the Board; maintain executive‑level dashboards and leading KPIs.
• Institutionalize wildfire ignition risk modeling (asset condition, environmental hazards, fault/operations data, weather) to target investments (e.g., covered conductor, sectionalization, fast‑curve protection, distribution automation).
• Define enterprise KPIs and KRIs, such as ignitions per 1,000 circuit‑miles, wire‑down events, weather‑normalized risk score reductions, PSPS customer‑minutes, asset‑level risk reduction, and benefits realization against plan.
• Build a situational awareness function (meteorology, fire weather indices, camera networks, LiDAR imagery, remote sensing, and field intel) that informs operational posture and investment prioritization.
• Drive continuous improvement via post‑season/after‑action reviews and independent validation of risk reduction claims.
• Serve as executive sponsor and expert witness in relevant state and federal proceedings; lead strategy for WMP filings, PSPS protocols, cost recovery (riders/trackers), and prudency reviews across jurisdictions.
• Shape legislative and policy positions in collaboration with State Affairs; develop credible recovery narratives (safety outcomes, equity impacts, system resilience, customer affordability).
• Pursue external funding and partnerships (e.g., FEMA/IIJA/BIL grants, state forestry programs, academic/National Lab collaborations).
• Oversee integrated execution across core pillars: Grid Hardening, Vegetation Risk Strategy, Situational Awareness & Technology, and Operational Protocols.
• Stand up robust program controls (scope, schedule, budget, quality, risk, change management) and stage‑gate governance.
• Ensure cyber, data privacy, and records management controls for all analytics and imagery platforms.
• Partner with Emergency Management to ensure wildfire preparedness plans, drills, and cross‑functional playbooks are current and exercised.
• During elevated fire weather or active incidents, provide executive decision support, including PSPS recommendations, agency coordination, and external communications alignment.
• Ensure rapid post‑event assessment, claims coordination, and corrective action plans.
• Build trusted relationships with Public Utility Commissions, state forestry and fire agencies, emergency managers, local governments, and community groups.
• Oversee customer and community outreach for wildfire season readiness, PSPS education, medical baseline and vulnerable customer support, and critical infrastructure coordination.
• Partner with Corporate Communications on proactive media, thought leadership, and transparent performance reporting.
• Design and scale a Wildfire Prevention & Resilience organization including Strategy & Governance, Risk Analytics & Meteorology, Program Delivery, Vegetation Risk Strategy, Operational Protocols & PSPS, and Stakeholder/Regulatory.
• Recruit, develop, and retain senior leaders and technical experts; instill a culture of safety, accountability, data‑driven decision making, and continuous improvement.
• Establish vendor/contractor strategy and performance management for key workstreams (VM, construction, technology platforms).
• Own the multi‑year capital and O&M budgets; ensure transparent cost controls, audit‑ready documentation, and timely regulatory reporting.
• Demonstrate quantified risk reduction and customer value for all major investments; maintain a clear line of sight from spend to outcomes.

Benefits

• Competitive pay plus incentive compensation
• Company-sponsored pension plan
• 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution
• Choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs
• Skills development training with tuition reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive