Transmission Planning Program Manager - Transmission Planning & Protection

FirstEnergy•Akron, OH

About The Position

The Transmission Planning Program Manager leads the 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 single point of contact for large-load customers, aligning customer load-growth plans, schedules, reliability needs, and business objectives with FirstEnergy’s long-term transmission strategy. The Program Manager turns transmission planning study results into conceptual projects by coordinating project scope, cost, schedule, risks, key assumptions, and customer expectations so projects can advance into the capital portfolio and execution process. The position works with Transmission Planning, Economic Development, Customer Accounts, Portfolio Management, Project Management, Transmission Operations, Transmission Engineering, customers, and other stakeholders to develop conceptual projects transparently and align expectations. The role supports planning assessments, PJM submissions, reliability reporting, regulatory filings, rate cases, and compliance obligations. It also supports strategic initiatives with industry groups and external organizations, and drives continuous improvement through lessons learned, standardized reporting, tools, templates, and methodologies. Employees are expected to perform their duties safely; Project Managers must ensure conceptual project plans account for safe construction practices, outage considerations, and operational impacts. Travel may be required to support business needs.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Engineering Technology, Finance, or an equivalent or closely related field, such as Construction Management or Project Management, from an ABET-accredited institution; acceptable alternatives include a Professional Engineer’s license, a qualifying non-ABET bachelor’s degree plus an advanced degree from a university with an ABET-accredited bachelor’s program, or at least five years of related experience in lieu of a degree.
At least three years of program manager, project management, or equivalent experience for the Transmission Planning Program Manager III level.
At least five years of program manager, project management, or equivalent experience for the Transmission Planning Program Manager IV level.
At least eight years of program manager, project management, or equivalent experience for the Transmission Program Manager V level; this level is expected to perform the responsibilities with greater proficiency and independence and serve as a subject matter expert.
Related experience may include transmission planning, engineering, project management, portfolio management, project controls, cost estimating, or work on transmission facilities such as project management, maintenance, or construction.
Strong project management skills and demonstrated ability to develop, manage, and control multiple conceptual projects simultaneously.
Demonstrated ability to accomplish responsibilities in a timely manner by maximizing organizational resources, making financial decisions, and using logical engineering approaches.
Effective analytical and reasoning capabilities, refined oral and written communication skills, and 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.
Adherence to FirstEnergy Standards of Conduct and FERC compliance obligations.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with multiple departments across 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 (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, informed decisions.
Facilitate near-term and long-term transmission plans for 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.
Travel as required to support business needs.