Sr Advisor, West Virginia External Affairs

FirstEnergy at a Glance

We are a forward-thinking electric utility powered by a diverse team of employees committed to making customers’ lives brighter, the environment better, and our communities stronger.

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability, and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of more than 3,500 megawatts.

About the Opportunity

This is an open position with the FirstEnergy Service Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp.

The position is within the External Affairs group and reports to the Director, State External Affairs. The reporting location is Charleston, West Virginia, with travel as needed and remote work as approved by the manager.

The Sr. Advisor, State External Affairs – West Virginia is responsible for building relationships and advocating for FirstEnergy’s positions on public policy and regulatory issues that impact the company. The Sr. Advisor will interact with key stakeholders that influence policy and regulation in the state, including customer and pertinent advocacy groups, business and industry trade associations, and industry colleagues. The Sr. Advisor will oversee development of coalitions with like-minded allies and the preparation of materials needed to present the company’s positions. The Sr. Advisor is responsible for key messaging for government audiences, including the executive and legislative branches of government and the Public Service Commission of West Virginia. The Sr. Advisor will maintain close communication with company subject matter experts in the operations, economic development, customer, environmental, and rates and regulatory teams across a spectrum of issues. The Sr. Advisor must maintain keen insight into the legislatives and regulatory process and be able to anticipate legislative and regulatory outcomes and impacts on FirstEnergy.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Foreseeing regulatory, legislative, and policy opportunities to advance the company’s business objectives;
• Serving as liaison to the Governor’s office, State Legislature, Public Service Commission commissioners and staff;
• Representing the company at PSC commission meetings, legislative hearings, stakeholder processes, and related interactions;
• Communicating with external stakeholders on a wide range of issues affecting FirstEnergy and the industry;
• Monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on all policy and regulatory matters, making recommendations to management to support business decision making;
• Direct the day to day activities of the company’s outside state lobbyist(s).
• Building relationships with all FirstEnergy business units; coordinating regulatory activities with a variety of company business units including, but not limited to, Legal, Rates, Operations, Compliance and Regulated Services, Transmission, Customer Service, Finance and other divisions to ensure proper alignment with business objectives;
• Understanding and staying current on all applicable laws, pending legislation, administrative rules, and policies that impact FirstEnergy;
• Representing the company at industry meetings, conferences, and events;
• Working with peer utilities, consumer groups, trade associations, and other regulatory and legislative stakeholders;
• Comfort and ability to work across a matrixed organization, communicates effectively, builds trust and collaborates; and
• Acting with a high degree of integrity, honesty, and credibility when representing FirstEnergy;

Qualifications include:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a business-related, law, political science or communications field. Advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 6-10 years of relevant experience as legislative or PSC staff and/or experience in the corporate or non-profit external affairs space.
• Knowledge of the utility and energy industries and regulations preferred.
• Demonstrated understanding of the political, regulatory and public policy processes. A strategic mindset and positive approach.
• Ability to advance policy positions with key stakeholders and represent the best interest of the company.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to establish, develop, and maintain positive working relationships across all facets of West Virginia government.
• Strong business acumen combined with the ability to inspire and lead a team while promoting the values of trust and integrity.

Benefits, Compensation & Workforce Diversity

At FirstEnergy, employees are key to our success. We depend on their talents to meet the challenges of our changing business environment. We are committed to rewarding individual and team efforts through our total rewards philosophy which includes competitive pay plus incentive compensation, a company-sponsored pension plan, 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution, a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs, as well as skills development training with tuition reimbursement. Please visit our website at www.firstenergycorp.com to learn more about all of our employee rewards programs. FirstEnergy proudly supports workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. No recruiters or agencies without a previously signed contract. Unable to sponsor or transfer H-1B visas at this time.

Safety

Safety is a core value for FirstEnergy and is essential to all of our business activities. We ensure employees have the tools, information, and processes to perform their duties in a manner that assures safety for themselves, their co-workers, our customers, and the public. Our goals are to provide a safe work environment, to maintain an accident-free, injury-free workplace, and to promote and maintain public safety. To meet these goals, we dedicate ourselves to achieving world-class safety standards.

Position Classification

Exempt

FirstEnergy Human Resources Team

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