Managing Counsel - Legal & Corp Secretary - Akron FirstEnergy Headquarters

FirstEnergy • Akron, OH

12h • Onsite

About The Position

This is an open position with FirstEnergy Service Co., a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. The FirstEnergy Legal Department provides exceptional counsel that enables FirstEnergy to optimize business outcomes in all legal, regulatory and commercial contexts. The Legal department is involved in every major activity and initiative involving all FirstEnergy entities, including FirstEnergy’s public utility subsidiaries that provide transmission service. The position will serve as the primary legal advisor for FERC-jurisdictional transmission rates and services to FirstEnergy’s public utility subsidiaries that own transmission assets and provide transmission service. The successful candidate will (a) work directly with the FirstEnergy business unit presidents and leadership on all aspects of the foregoing, (b) lead a team of attorneys and legal professionals that is dedicated to the foregoing; (c) handle complex legal matters and projects; (d) conduct legal research, negotiate, draft, edit, and interpret legal documents; and (e) act as a trusted advisor for leadership of the transmission rates and service business. The position reports to the Vice President & Associate General Counsel who is responsible for federal regulatory matters who is located at the corporate headquarters in Akron, Ohio.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school required.
• Qualified candidates will be licensed to practice law in the United States, a member in good standing with a State bar, and the ability to either become a member of the Ohio State bar or qualify for corporate counsel registration in Ohio within twelve months.
• Minimum of 10 years of broad and deep experience on all aspects of FERC regulation of transmission utilities, including demonstrated experience during the last 10 years in: FPA Section 203 (M&A) proceedings, FPA Section 204 (securities) proceedings, FPA Section 205/206 rates and ratemaking proceedings (including transmission rates and material RTO tariff amendment processes and filings); appeals of FERC decisions in FPA Section 205/206 proceedings.
• Broad and deep recent experience in competitive RTO regional transmission planning and expansion processes and proceedings (Eastern Interconnection is preferred) with demonstrated success for the customer or client.
• Supervisory experience with direct reports.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills (including good listening skills) and the ability to achieve positive outcomes through influence.
• Demonstrated analytical abilities, including problem solving and decision making.
• Demonstrated maturity to exercise independent judgment on projects and assignments.
• Ability to work with all levels within the organization.
• Ability to respond to clients’ needs consistent with corporate values, strategies, risks, and objectives.
• Ability to work on multiple tasks simultaneously in a dynamic work environment.
• Ability to deliver quality, accurate work within established deadlines.
• Manage outside counsel and consultants to deliver quality and cost-effective expert legal guidance on legal matters as necessary.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office tools, including Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Word.

Nice To Haves

• Broad and deep experience with RTO markets and wholesale power transactions is a plus.
• Experience in the utility transmission business and project development is a plus.
• Experience with U.S. Department of Energy matters is a plus.
• Experience interacting with senior management is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal leadership in transmission rate development, preparation of transmission rate applications, transmission rate proceedings, settlement negotiations, hearings, and (where applicable) appeals.
• Provide legal leadership in ancillary transmission rate matters, e.g., applications for incentives, applications to recover abandoned transmission assets, PJM “state agreement” contracts, and related matters.
• Provide legal leadership on complex regulatory accounting matters, including advocating for changes in regulatory accounting policy and procedures.
• Provide legal leadership on complex transmission rate design matters, including utility-specific transmission rate design as well as transmission rate design policy (e.g., notices of proposed rulemaking, RTO tariff amendments, etc.).
• Provide legal leadership in wholesale agreements, including interconnection agreements, that are part of the transmission customer experience.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external counsel to interpret contracts, assess legal risks, evaluate dispute resolution, and provide strategic recommendations.
• Support financial reporting and due diligence for FirstEnergy’s transmission utilities (SEC Form 10-K/Q, securities issuances, etc.).
• Supervise a team of attorneys and legal professionals who support the foregoing.

Benefits

• competitive pay
• 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
• skills development training with tuition reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees