NERC Compliance Manager

Velco • Pinnacle, NC

1d • $120,224 - $168,314

About The Position

As the nation’s first statewide, “transmission only” company, VELCO manages the safe, reliable, cost-effective transmission of electric power throughout Vermont and as a part of the integrated New England regional network. Why you should join our team As the NERC Compliance Manager, you’ll play a direct role in protecting the reliability of the transmission electric system and supporting the standards set by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation- your work truly matters every day. Step into an organization with an emerging, supportive culture of compliance. The Compliance Manager interacts with a wide breath of departments and employees giving you a more global understanding of the organization. Compliance is one of the VELCO’s three core tenets and this role will have the attention of senior executives, the CEO and the board of directors. How you will make an impact You will strengthen audit readiness by leading proactive preparation efforts and managing evidence to reduce organizational risk and avoid penalties. By partnering across operations, engineering, and IT teams, you will help drive a culture of compliance that is embedded in everyday workflows—not just during audits. Your ability to identify gaps early through assessments and implement effective mitigation plans will reduce regulatory risk and prevent violations before they occur. You will navigate evolving standards by translating complex regulatory updates into clear, actionable processes that keep the organization ahead of change, while also improving operational efficiency by streamlining compliance processes, documentation, and tools. In addition, you will enhance the organization’s cybersecurity posture by supporting adherence to Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards, safeguarding critical systems and data. Ultimately, you will influence strategic decisions by providing leadership with valuable insights on compliance risk, helping guide investments and operational priorities.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Technology or Business, or equivalent experience; a Master’s desired.
• A minimum of 10 years’ experience in an electrical transmission organization, to include demonstrated leadership.
• Familiarity with operational, financial, quality assurance, electric reliability, cyber security, and human resource procedures and regulations.
• Minimum of five years of progressive audit related managerial/leadership experience in compliance issues with regulations approved by FERC, NERC, NPCC, ISO-NE and state agencies.
• Able to effectively communicate with all levels and operating areas and present to committees, executives, trustees, external regulators and industry associations.
• Excellent verbal, writing, analytical, interpretive, negotiation and project management skills required.
• A strong attention to detail and proficiency with technology-based obligation tracking tools.
• Must be able to maintain fast pace while completing complex, analytical work, in potentially stressful situations, with competing priorities, within tight timelines and with frequent interruptions.
• Must be able to work additional hours when necessary.
• Periodic travel and overnight stays will be required when attending industry workshops, training, and working from the head office etc.

Responsibilities

• The Manager of NERC Compliance is responsible for leading the organization's North American Electric Reliability Corporate (NERC) compliance program.
• The Manager provides oversight of activities related to compliance with Federal and Regional reliability standards including, but not limited to, NERC, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), Northeast Power Coordinating Council (NPCC), New England Independent System Operator (ISO-NE), the State of Vermont, and other agencies, as applicable.
• The position functions independently and objectively to establish, monitor and administer the compliance program for the NERC standards.
• The Manager reviews and evaluates compliance obligations/gaps/concerns within the organization with a goal of maintaining compliance with standards, rules and regulations.
• Leads, communicates, and oversees the development of strong controls, processes, and program governance along with training and succession planning for subject matter experts (SMEs) across the company to sustain compliance while aligning strategic goals and objectives with decisions regarding software architecture for key business initiatives.
• Provide leadership oversight of the corporate NERC compliance structure and processes.
• Establish and implement policies and procedures to ensure that the compliance programs throughout the organization are effective and efficient in identifying, preventing, detecting, correcting and learning from noncompliance with applicable rules and regulations.
• Responsible for the oversight of education, training, communication and other mechanisms used to promote a corporate culture that fosters ethical and compliant behavior and provides the basis for ensuring adequate internal controls and compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
• Work closely with peer level operational management in providing interpretation and implementation of compliance policies and in evaluating the NERC compliance implications of planned business activities or process changes.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts to prepare responses to regulatory requests for information, including but not limited to compliance audits, spot-checks, and self-certifications.
• Conduct departmental self-assessments to identify gaps and work with applicable personnel to implement mitigation plans to address potential concerns in a timely manner.
• Support the company in internal assessments associated with possible violations, risks, and the identification of appropriate mitigations.
• Serve as a liaison between the company and regulatory entities, which may include FERC, NERC, NPCC, ISO-NE, state agencies and other entities, on compliance-related needs including but not limited to reporting requirements, investigations and queries.
• Maintain an awareness of evolving NERC obligations and evaluate, identify/define, develop, and communicate possible strategies/program framework regarding future obligations and assist with action plans for the departments affected.
• Serve as the staff expert for NERC Standards, controls and best practices including the self-auditing of both the NERC Reliability and Critical Infrastructure Protection Standards and, in coordination with the SMEs, develop necessary processes and procedures.
• Manage direct employees and consultants, including bidding consulting contracts and managing the various mock and regulatory audit processes.
• Schedule and coordinate all audit preparation, documentation and submittals.
• Establish and maintain key relationships with other compliance professionals, such as participation in industry groups, as well as ISO-NE, NPCC and NERC industry committees.
• Communicate to Senior Management and Board of Directors the results of the NERC compliance efforts of the company and in providing guidance on matters relating to compliance.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• At VELCO we care about our team members. Our benefits support the holistic well-being of our team members and their families — from financial security to mental and physical health.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees