Manager Operations - PA Operations - Erie

About the role

The Manager, Operations serves as a leader for the area’s 24/7/365 electric utility operations, managing the lines organization across the Warrern and Bradford service centers. This position is responsible and accountable for the safe and reliable delivery of electricity, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and future sustainability of operations. The role involves planning, organizing, directing, and reviewing activities within a regional area, while providing leadership consistent with core values such as safety, diversity, equity & inclusion (DE&I), ethical behavior, stewardship, and customer service.

The selected candidate may report to any of the service center locations and will lead operational groups, including essential personnel required to respond to emergency or urgent situations. The position requires significant field and administrative responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Foster a high-performing safety culture where employees own, promote, and reinforce safe behaviors and feel empowered to speak up.
• Establish and develop substantive working relationships with peers, staff, and union leadership to enhance FirstEnergy’s culture of safety, compliance, inclusion, accountability, and innovation.
• Initiate and monitor implementation of appropriate safety and environmental safeguards in accordance with regulations and professional practice.
• Serve as a member of the management team, participating in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and procedures.
• Plan, organize, control, integrate, and evaluate the work of the operational group, compiling and assessing data to review progress.
• Work with directors, managers, and supervisors to engage employees in establishing and achieving milestones for safety, reliability, customer service, financial performance, and compliance.
• Interpret and apply collective bargaining agreements and company policies.
• Respond to customer complaints and formal regulatory authority inquiries.
• Oversee preparation and control of the area budget for personnel, materials, equipment, construction, operations, and maintenance.
• Monitor the performance of assigned supervisors and staff, establishing performance requirements and development targets.
• Engage with employees and union leadership to create a culture of inclusion and teamwork.
• Recommend appropriate staffing levels and promote developmental assignments for high-potential employees.
• Coordinate response efforts and assist in emergency outage restoration processes.

Qualifications

• Highly motivated and approachable leader with a demonstrated track record of safe operations excellence and people leadership.
• Ability to function both independently and as part of a team, driving positive change and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated learning agility and ability to develop technical acumen and working knowledge of distribution operations.
• Seven (7) years’ experience in the electric utility industry highly preferred (e.g., distribution engineering, transmission, line construction, maintenance practices), including leadership experience. Equivalent training and experience in progressive leadership roles will be considered.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred. In lieu of a degree, equivalent training or experience will be considered.
• Experience administering collective bargaining agreements and HR policies fairly and equitably is highly desirable.

Skills

• Lead by example, facilitate and lead teams through change, and promote trust and integrity.
• Analyze complex issues and strategies, reaching sound and logical fact-based conclusions and recommendations.
• Evaluate departmental practices and make recommendations for improvements; develop and implement procedures and controls.
• Exercise sound independent judgment and political acumen within policy guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of employees.
• Operate and learn various computer applications.