NERC Compliance Lead

American Electric Power•Shreveport, TX

About The Position

The NERC Compliance Lead ensures compliance with mandatory North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards, including Operations and Planning requirements and Critical Infrastructure Protection standards. The role supports bulk electric system reliability, grid stability, and the prevention of regulatory violations and penalties. It also identifies, assesses, and mitigates compliance risk through internal controls, self-assessments, audits, and subject-matter guidance for operations, engineering, IT, and cybersecurity teams. The Lead monitors evolving NERC standards, industry guidance, and enforcement trends; participates in standards development and ballot processes; and translates regulatory requirements into practical organizational actions. Through collaboration, education, and continuous improvement, the role helps embed a culture of compliance and accountability while supporting reliability and risk-management objectives. The position contributes to compliance programs, evidence collection, audit readiness, internal and external audits, reporting, metrics, and controls. It collaborates with Embedded Support, plant system owners, GEN NERC, ENRA, and business units, and supports cross-departmental projects and state public utility commission requirements. The role works with the Operating Company’s Impacted Business Unit Leader (IBUL) to review and approve mitigation plans, RFI responses, and compliance-process and control designs. This position is posted at multiple grade levels; the stated minimum qualifications apply to the Grade 09 level, with increased requirements for higher levels. Talent is expected to live within 45 minutes of the worksite.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering (electrical preferred), computer, systems, or applications engineering, business, information technology, cybersecurity, or a related field.
Minimum of eight years of fossil hydro generation-related experience, preferably including project-level leadership.
Minimum of four years in compliance, auditing, risk management, power systems operations, or cybersecurity.
Valid driver’s license.
Expected to live within 45 minutes of the worksite.

Nice To Haves

Prior utility/energy-sector or NERC-specific experience is highly preferred.
Distribution system experience is a plus.
Professional Engineer (PE) license is desirable.
Certified Power Systems Engineer (PSE) certification is highly desirable.
NERC System Operator Certification.
CISSP, CISA, or other compliance/security certifications.
CRISC or similar risk/compliance certifications.
Project-level leadership experience.

Responsibilities

Collaborate on, monitor, and interpret the operational impact of new and revised NERC standards by tracking standards development, regulatory policy activity, and industry trends.
Participate in NERC ballot processes and discussions to identify and mitigate compliance and reliability risks before standards are approved, and translate requirements into organizational applicability.
Assist in creating, updating, and implementing compliance policies, procedures, processes, and controls to meet NERC requirements.
Gather, review, organize, and maintain compliance evidence, including data, logs, and reports.
Contribute to preparing and reviewing Reliability Standard Audit Worksheets (RSAWs) and audit-readiness packages.
Support internal audits, spot-checks, self-certifications, and external regulatory audits.
Identify compliance gaps, perform root cause analysis for potential violations, and recommend corrective actions.
Provide business units—including operations, engineering, IT, and plant staff—with guidance on compliance practices, requirements, and evidence sufficiency; help communicate regulatory changes.
Develop compliance reports, dashboards, or metrics; track status and tasks in compliance tools; and support submissions to NERC or Regional Entities.
Contribute to developing, executing, and tracking internal controls that support compliance risk-mitigation strategies.
Analyze compliance data, identify non-compliance risks, and contribute to continuous improvement of the compliance program.
Collaborate with Embedded Support, plant system owners, GEN NERC, and ENRA to ensure processes are compliant.
Coordinate cross-departmental efforts, assist with special projects, and support state public utility commission requirements.
Work with the Operating Company’s Impacted Business Unit Leader (IBUL) to review and approve mitigation plans, RFI responses, and the design of compliance processes and controls.