Distribution Program Manager IV-V (Emerging Technologies)

FirstEnergy; Akron (OH); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

FirstEnergy is seeking a Distribution Program Manager to lead the development, execution, and oversight of Emerging Technologies programs across FE operating companies. The preferred reporting location is Akron, OH, with flexibility to be located at any FirstEnergy site.

The role focuses on BESS, DER integration, and related programs, requiring collaboration with Regulatory, Engineering, IT, Legal, Strategy, and external partners to ensure successful delivery and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Project Management, or related discipline and 5 years utility distribution experience.
• In lieu of a degree, HS Diploma / GED and 7 years utility distribution experience.
• 5 years of project management experience or the equivalent.
• Strong project management skills to develop, manage, and control multiple tasks.
• Experience with regulatory environments and/or utility programs preferred.
• Able to manage budgets, schedules, risks, and performance metrics.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with senior leadership and external stakeholders.
• Able to work across multiple departments and geographic locations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and general business systems.
• Works collaboratively and possess a willingness to work in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Leading end-to-end program management, including planning, execution, monitoring, and reporting.
• Defining program scope, deliverables, timelines, budgets, and resource plans with cross-functional teams.
• Managing program execution to deliver within approved scope, cost, and schedule.
• Monitoring program performance; identify risks, resolve issues, and manage escalations.
• Coordinating cross-functional stakeholders (Regulatory, Engineering, IT, Legal, Strategy) and external partners to ensure alignment and delivery.
• Supporting regulatory filings, discovery responses, and reporting to commissions and stakeholders.
• Tracking and validating realization of program benefits and business outcomes.
• Developing leadership updates, communication plans, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Ensuring compliance with safety, operational, and corporate standards.
• Supporting development of long-term strategy, technology standards, and integration of engineering and IT systems.
• Managing vendor engagement and support issue resolution as needed.
• Developing presentations and communications for leadership, internal stakeholders, and external partners.
• Demonstrating a commitment to safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Willingness to travel, including overnight, as required.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Stakeholder management

Budgeting

Risk management

Team collaboration

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Project Management, or related discipline

High School Diploma / GED with 7+ years utility experience

PM experience equivalent

Associate degree (Level V) + 8+ years (PM level)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

About the Opportunity

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

The selected candidate may be offered a position within the same job family, at a level that is lower than what was posted. This will be determined based upon the results of the interview process which considers the candidate’s skills, work history, experience level, and other relevant qualifications.

The Program Manager leads the development, execution, and oversight of Emerging Technologies (EmT) programs across FE operating companies. This role drives program delivery within approved scope, cost, and schedule while ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and enterprise strategy.

Programs in scope include Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), Distributed Energy Resource (DER) integration and other similar programs.

The preferred reporting location is the FirstEnergy Headquarters in Akron, OH. The role can be located at any FirstEnergy location.

This posting expires at 11:55PM on October 5, 2026.

Responsibilities Include

• Leading end-to-end program management, including planning, execution, monitoring, and reporting.
• Defining program scope, deliverables, timelines, budgets, and resource plans in coordination with cross-functional teams.
• Managing program execution to deliver within approved scope, cost, and schedule while achieving expected business outcomes.
• Monitoring program performance; identify risks, resolve issues, and manage escalations.
• Coordinating cross-functional stakeholders (Regulatory, Engineering, IT, Legal, Strategy) and external partners to ensure alignment and delivery.
• Supporting regulatory filings, discovery responses, and reporting to commissions and stakeholders.
• Tracking and validating realization of program benefits and business outcomes.
• Developing and delivering leadership updates, communication plans, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Ensuring compliance with safety, operational, and corporate standards.
• Supporting development of long-term strategy, technology standards, and integration of engineering and IT systems.
• Managing vendor engagement and support issue resolution as needed.
• Developing presentations and communications for leadership, internal stakeholders, and external partners.
• Demonstrating a commitment to safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Willingness to travel, including overnight, as required.

An employee hired at the Distribution Program Manager V level will be expected to perform all the above responsibilities with more proficiency, and in a more independent manner. Further, the Distribution Program Manager V level employee will be assigned additional responsibilities related to those above.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Project Management, or related discipline and minimum 5 years related utility distribution experience are required.
• In lieu of a degree, High School Diploma / GED and minimum 7 years related utility distribution experience are required.
• 5 years of project management experience or the equivalent is required.
• Strong project management skills with an ability to develop, manage, and control multiple tasks.
• Experience with regulatory environments and/or utility programs preferred.
• Able to manage budgets, schedules, risks, and performance metrics.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with senior leadership and external stakeholders.
• Able to work across multiple departments and geographic locations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and general business systems.
• Works collaboratively and possess a willingness to work in a team environment.

Qualifications at the Distribution Program Manager V level include all the above plus:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Project Management, or related discipline and minimum 7-10 years related utility distribution experience are required.
• OR Associate degree in Engineering Technology, Business, Project Management, or related discipline and minimum 8+ years of related utility distribution experience are required.
• In lieu of a degree, High School Diploma / GED and minimum 13 years related distribution experience are required.
• Minimum 6 years of project management experience or the equivalent is required.
• Greater proficiency in program leadership, stakeholder management, and independent decision-making.
• Experience supporting regulatory filings, reporting, and utility program execution.
• Knowledge of distribution system operations, emerging technologies, or DER programs preferred.

FirstEnergy Human Resources Team