Transmission Planning Program Manager - Transmission Planning & Protection

FirstEnergy•Akron, OH

About The Position

The Transmission Planning Program Manager leads development of early-stage transmission projects supporting large-load interconnections, transmission reliability initiatives such as Energize365, PJM RTEP planning, and other strategic programs. The role is Transmission Planning’s primary point of contact for large-load customers and aligns customer growth plans, schedules, reliability needs, and business objectives with FirstEnergy’s long-term transmission strategy. The Program Manager transitions transmission planning study results into conceptual projects by coordinating scope, cost, schedule, risks, assumptions, and customer expectations so projects can progress into the capital portfolio and execution process. The position works with internal teams, customers, and other stakeholders to develop conceptual projects transparently and accurately, with aligned expectations. The role may be filled at Program Manager III, IV, or V levels. The V-level employee is expected to work with greater proficiency and independence and serve as a subject matter expert. Travel is required as needed to support business needs. Safety is a core value at FirstEnergy; employees are expected to perform their duties in a way that promotes safety for themselves, coworkers, customers, and the public. Project Managers must ensure conceptual plans incorporate safe construction practices, outage considerations, and operational impacts.

Requirements

A Bachelor of Science degree in Business, Engineering, Engineering Technology, Finance, or an equivalent or closely related field is preferred; examples include Construction Management or Project Management from an ABET-accredited institution.
Acceptable engineering-degree alternatives include a Professional Engineer (PE) license, or a non-ABET bachelor's degree in a listed or related field plus an advanced degree in an equivalent or related field from a university with an ABET-accredited bachelor's program.
In lieu of a degree, at least five years of related experience is required. Related transmission-facilities experience may include project management, maintenance, or construction.
Program Manager III requires at least three years of program management, project management, or equivalent experience.
Program Manager IV requires at least five years of program management, project management, or equivalent experience.
Program Manager V requires at least eight years of program management, project management, or equivalent experience.
Related experience includes transmission planning, engineering, project management, portfolio management, project controls, and cost estimating.
Strong project management skills, including demonstrated ability to develop, manage, and control multiple conceptual projects simultaneously.
Ability to accomplish responsibilities in a timely manner by maximizing organizational resources, making financial decisions, and applying logical engineering approaches.
Effective analytical and reasoning capabilities.
Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to structure and confidently present information to peers, TPP management, and executive leadership.
Familiarity with PJM, RFC, and NERC practices, procedures, and requirements in transmission planning.
Must adhere to FirstEnergy's Standards of Conduct and FERC compliance obligations.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with multiple departments in multiple locations.
Ability to travel as required to support business needs.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of transmission planning processes, the transmission system, reliability standards, and regional transmission organizations.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint), OPPM, and Primavera.

Responsibilities

Serve as Transmission Planning’s single point of contact for large-load customers, aligning customer needs, schedules, reliability requirements, and expectations.
Coordinate technical discussions between customers, Transmission Planning, and internal stakeholders to support timely and informed decision-making.
Facilitate near-term and long-term transmission plans to accommodate load growth, reliability needs, and strategic system development.
Oversee evaluation of alternative system configurations, phased development options, feasibility, project justification, and recommended solutions.
Define early-stage project objectives, scope, risks, constraints, conceptual cost ranges, high-level schedules, and resource assumptions.
Manage and support multi-year Energize365 and other strategic conceptual project portfolios aligned with FirstEnergy transmission priorities.
Partner with Portfolio Management and the Transmission Capital Portfolio Team to integrate conceptual projects into the 10-year capital portfolio.
Coordinate with project teams on stakeholder engagement, status updates, executive communications, and conceptual project recommendations.
Support PJM RTEP submissions, planning assessments, reliability reporting, regulatory filings, rate cases, and compliance with FirstEnergy Standards of Conduct, FERC requirements, and PJM protocols.
Manage and support strategic initiatives with industry groups and external organizations such as EPRI, NATF, DOE, and vendors.
Drive continuous improvement through lessons learned, standardized reporting, tools, templates, and methodologies.
Ensure conceptual project plans incorporate safe construction practices, outage considerations, and operational impacts.