Manager Budgets

FirstEnergy•Akron, OH

3d•Onsite

About The Position

FirstEnergy Service Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., is hiring a Manager Budgets for its onsite corporate headquarters campus in Akron, Ohio. Reporting to the Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A), this role leads a team of analysts and oversees the Company’s forecasting software, UI Planner, including process and technical updates. The manager supports Business Units in using UI Planner to develop budgets and long-range plans and leads frequent updates to the current-year forecast, also known as the Pencil List. The role works across FirstEnergy, including Business Unit finance and regulatory teams, to plan and execute budget and forecast inputs and develop and communicate financial assumptions and targets. It also oversees UI Planner project management, user interaction, governance, controls, and external consultant support. The manager advises and challenges the business, communicates complex financial models clearly to stakeholders, and drives continuous improvement in financial planning processes. The position supports significant recurring and ad hoc projects for senior management, the Board, and the investment community, and partners with HR on financial KPIs. It reviews and develops team work, coaches staff, and ensures forecast communications are accurate and appropriate for their audience. Periodic non-standard hours may be required to support critical work efforts.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, mathematics, business management, or a related field.
At least 7 years of related work experience.
Experience with corporate budgets, financial analyses, financial communications for internal and external audiences, and UI Planner software.
Working familiarity with utility accounting principles and practices, economics, financial statements, treasury capital markets, regulatory ratemaking, and corporate taxation.
Ability to perform supervisory responsibilities, maintain an efficient organization, and build productive relationships within and across teams, with a focus on continuous improvement.
Willingness to periodically work non-standard hours to support critical work efforts.
Advanced proficiency in SAP, Excel, PowerPoint, Qlikview, and UI Planner.
Strong organizational skills for planning and coordinating multiple activities and projects.
Ability to navigate ambiguity and produce high-quality work under time pressure or other constraints.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Ability to build relationships through collaboration and teamwork across company levels and departments.
Ethical and professional conduct, high integrity, and compliance with the code of business conduct and relevant policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

Coordinate budgets and forecasts with State and Transmission Finance VPs and help consolidate information for senior leadership.
Provide strategic advice, recommendations, and observations to enhance financial plans, collaborating with State and Transmission Finance VPs on planning.
Constructively challenge the business to support performance excellence and results.
Communicate complex financial modeling through concise, meaningful reports and updates for stakeholders and senior leadership.
Engage with groups across FirstEnergy to ensure the accuracy and rigor of financial inputs for budgets, forecasts, and related analyses.
Lead analysts responsible for company budgeting, forecasting, and administration and maintenance of UI Planner.
Support the development of Board strategy retreat themes and financial materials, periodic public financial disclosures, and ad hoc Board or executive management information and analysis requests.
Partner with HR to establish, track, and communicate financial KPIs.
Ensure financial forecast communications are cogent, concise, accurate, relevant, and appropriate for their intended audience.
Review analysts’ work for accuracy, transparency, and clarity; advise, develop, and train staff; and coach employees to maintain productivity and performance.
Develop, recommend, and implement process improvements to streamline budgeting and forecasting and reduce duplicative or unnecessary work.
Research and assess alternative processes, work products, and improvements that could increase the accuracy or efficiency of financial planning.
Maintain UI Planner and execute necessary upgrades and improvements while minimizing workflow disruption and ensuring data integrity and accuracy.
Provide responsive, diligent customer service to senior management, operations, and other customers of the Forecast team.
Demonstrate commitment to FirstEnergy’s core values and behaviors.