Distribution Program Manager

FirstEnergy • Akron, OH

3d

About The Position

FirstEnergy Service Co., a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., is hiring a Distribution Program Manager to lead development, execution, and oversight of Distribution capital programs in FirstEnergy’s New Jersey operating companies. Programs include distribution line projects, substation rebuilds, and similar initiatives. The role is responsible for delivering programs within approved scope, cost, and schedule while meeting regulatory requirements and aligning with enterprise strategy. The preferred reporting location is FirstEnergy Headquarters in Morristown, New Jersey, though the role may be based at any FirstEnergy location in the New Jersey footprint.

The role includes end-to-end program management, coordination with cross-functional teams and external partners, regulatory support, performance and benefit tracking, stakeholder communications, vendor engagement, and ensuring compliance with safety, operational, and corporate standards. It also supports long-term strategy, technology standards, and integration of engineering and IT systems. Travel, including overnight travel, may be required.

Employees hired at the Distribution Program Manager II level are expected to perform the responsibilities with greater proficiency and independence. The Distribution Program Manager IV level includes additional related responsibilities and requires greater proficiency in program leadership, stakeholder management, and independent decision-making.

FirstEnergy describes its total rewards philosophy as including 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 position is classified as exempt.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Project Management, or a related discipline and at least 5 years of related utility distribution experience; alternatively, a high school diploma or GED and at least 7 years of related utility distribution experience.
• At least 5 years of project management experience or equivalent for the general role.
• Strong project management skills, including ability to develop, manage, and control multiple tasks.
• Ability to manage budgets, schedules, risks, and performance metrics.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with senior leadership and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work across multiple departments and geographic locations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and general business systems.
• Collaborative approach and willingness to work in a team environment.
• For Program Manager IV: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Project Management, or a related discipline and 7–10 years of related utility distribution experience; alternatively, an associate degree in Engineering Technology, Business, Project Management, or a related discipline and at least 8 years of related utility distribution experience; or, in lieu of a degree, a high school diploma or GED and at least 13 years of related distribution experience.
• For Program Manager IV: At least 6 years of project management experience or equivalent.
• For Program Manager IV: Greater proficiency in program leadership, stakeholder management, and independent decision-making.
• Willingness to travel, including overnight, as required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with regulatory environments and/or utility programs.
• Master’s degree.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Strong analytical ability to observe, investigate, and interpret situations; proactively identify risks; and develop creative operational solutions and innovative approaches.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end program management, including planning, execution, monitoring, and reporting.
• Define program scope, deliverables, timelines, budgets, and resource plans with cross-functional teams.
• Manage execution to deliver within approved scope, cost, and schedule and achieve expected business outcomes.
• Monitor program performance, identify risks, resolve issues, and manage escalations.
• Lead cross-functional stakeholders, including Regulatory, Engineering, IT, Legal, and Strategy, as well as external partners, to support alignment and delivery.
• Support regulatory filings, discovery responses, and reporting to commissions and stakeholders.
• Track and validate realization of program benefits and business outcomes.
• Develop leadership updates, communication plans, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Ensure compliance with safety, operational, and corporate standards.
• Support long-term strategy, technology standards, and integration of engineering and IT systems.
• Manage vendor engagement and support issue resolution as needed.
• Develop presentations and communications for leadership, internal stakeholders, and external partners.
• Demonstrate commitment to safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Travel, including overnight, as required.
• At the Program Manager IV level, take on additional related responsibilities and demonstrate greater proficiency in program leadership, stakeholder management, and independent decision-making.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and 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: Mid Level