OT Systems and Compliance Manager

Southern Company • Birmingham, AL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This position provides leadership and management for TO’s Operational Technology (OT) Systems and Compliance team. The team delivers infrastructure services for OT systems and applications that support Power Delivery and Gas operations across Southern Company affiliates. In partnership with affiliate OT organizations, this role is responsible for guiding the design, implementation, management, and support of high-availability infrastructure solutions that enable resilient, complaint, and effective business operations.

The department also maintains responsibility for compliance obligations related to the infrastructure it manages, including NERC CIP, TSA-SD2, and FERC Separation Protocol requirements.

The systems infrastructure managed by the department includes but is not limited to the following:
Windows Servers and Active Directory Domain Infrastructure
Linux Servers
Storage Systems
Virtual Server Infrastructure
Web Proxy Servers
Citrix Remote Access

This position will be responsible for advancing the organization toward a vision that includes the following:
Trust, credibility and strong professional relationships that define our partnership with OT business partners and Operations Compliance.
Identify and implement optimizations with existing processes and tools for compliance and systems management.
Engagement in providing input on the development of future Compliance standards at a company and industry level and ensuring that Infrastructure Services is prepared for compliance with any new standards well in advance of the required compliance date.
Developing the skillsets and components for managing the infrastructure so that the OT Systems and Compliance team becomes increasingly self-sufficient.

The OT Systems and Compliance leader reports to the Manager of TO Specialized Infrastructure and is responsible for approximately 10 IT professionals primarily located in Atlanta and Birmingham.

Requirements

• Degree strongly preferred; BS/BA in Computer Science, Engineering or a related field. Associates degree with years of experience to be considered.
• Prior management or supervisory experience is strongly preferred; demonstrated experience successfully leading teams is required.
• Strong knowledge of information technology and complex technology environments, with experience in one or more of the following areas: servers, server virtualization, storage, application integration, or cybersecurity.
• Solid understanding of NERC CIP, TSA-SD2C, and FERC Separation Protocol requirements and their corresponding Southern Company work guides and practices.
• Ability to own compliance for infrastructure supporting NERC CIP, TSA-SD2C, and FERC Separation Protocol requirements. The manager must understand compliance obligations, audits, evidence collection, controls, and continuous improvement of compliance processes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead strategy, risk mitigation and deliver high availability to OT infrastructures critical to energy delivery systems in the following domains: Windows and Linux servers, Active Directory, Virtualization platforms, Storage and backup systems, Remote access platforms
• Demonstrated ability in building trust, credibility, and strong relationships with Power Delivery, GAS, Operations Compliance, and other OT stakeholders. Success depends heavily on influencing without authority and maintaining strong partnerships.
• OT systems support critical business operations thus requiring a leader to drive: High system availability, Incident management, Change management discipline, Lifecycle planning, Monitoring and remediation practices
• The job specifically calls for developing team skills and capabilities, so the team becomes increasingly self-sufficient. Creating bench strength, growing technical expertise, delegating responsibilities, and developing future leaders are key leadership expectations.
• Ability to continuously find ways to improve efficiency while maintaining audit readiness and operational control.

Nice To Haves

• Purdue modeling network segmentation is helpful

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong partnerships with OT business partners across Southern Company affiliates to understand infrastructure needs, deliver effective services, and support compliance requirements for TO-managed assets.
• Partner closely with TO leaders, including OT Networks, Computing Services, Electric Technology Services -Power Delivery portfolio and Cybersecurity, to align infrastructure processes, technologies, and resources with current and future business needs.
• Engage actively with Operations Compliance and TO Risk & Compliance to support applicable compliance programs and ensure infrastructure-related obligations are managed effectively.
• Identify opportunities to optimize and automate compliance processes, ensuring procedures and controls remain complete, auditable, and sustainable.
• Drive continuous improvement through disciplined operations, innovative practices, and effective management of organizational responsibilities.
• Apply broad, forward-looking leadership to address complex opportunities and challenges while serving as a strategic partner and business enabler.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of the business, technology landscape, and compliance environment while anticipating future needs and industry shifts.
• Attract, develop and retain a highly qualified, engaged, and diverse team capable of meeting current and future business needs.
• Own compliance for infrastructure supporting NERC CIP, TSA-SD2C, and FERC Separation Protocol requirements.
• Lead strategy, risk mitigation and deliver high availability to OT infrastructures critical to energy delivery systems.
• Drive high system availability, incident management, change management discipline, lifecycle planning, and monitoring and remediation practices.
• Develop team skills and capabilities, creating bench strength, growing technical expertise, delegating responsibilities, and developing future leaders.
• Continuously find ways to improve efficiency while maintaining audit readiness and operational control.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Annual incentive awards for eligible employees
• Health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being
• Additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree