Director, Utility Operations - FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company
Location: State College, PA
Position Summary
The Director oversees 24/7 electric utility operations for a designated service area, leading distribution line operations. This role is responsible for the safe, reliable, and cost-effective delivery of electricity while ensuring regulatory compliance and supporting long-term operational sustainability.
Key responsibilities include managing T&D construction and maintenance programs, partnering with engineering and operations teams, overseeing emergency response activities, managing capital and O&M budgets, leading capital project execution, and maintaining relationships with regulators, public officials, customers, and community stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and promote a strong culture of safety, compliance, inclusion, and accountability.
- Manage utility operations, maintenance, construction, and reliability performance.
- Develop and execute operational strategies, budgets, and capital improvement plans.
- Lead, coach, and develop managers, supervisors, and staff.
- Ensure regulatory, environmental, and reliability compliance.
- Collaborate with union leadership and stakeholders to support operational excellence.
- Drive continuous improvement, workforce planning, and process standardization.
- Oversee contractor performance and resource allocation.
Leadership Competencies
- Operational Expertise
- Change Leadership
- Strategic Thinking
- Execution & Accountability
- Communication & Collaboration
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required; MBA or PE preferred.
- 10+ years of progressive electric utility experience, including 5+ years in management.
- Experience in utility operations, construction, engineering, transmission/distribution, or related functions.
- Strong leadership, financial, and technical acumen.
- Proven ability to lead large teams, manage labor relations, and drive organizational change.
Preferred Knowledge
- Utility operations, engineering, maintenance, and system planning.
- Regulatory, environmental, and reliability requirements.
- Budgeting, capital planning, and contract management.
- Labor relations and collective bargaining administration.
- Strategic planning, process improvement, and stakeholder engagement.
Key Skills
- Strategic and analytical decision-making
- Leadership and change management
- Regulatory and operational compliance
- Relationship building and communication
- Problem solving and independent judgment