NERC Compliance Lead

SouthWestern Electric Power Co; Hallsville (TX); On-site; USD 116,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

American Electric Power is seeking a NERC Compliance Lead to guide a broad program ensuring adherence to NERC reliability standards across operations, engineering, IT, and cybersecurity. The role emphasizes building, implementing, and maintaining compliance controls and supporting audits to protect grid reliability.

You will monitor standards, develop programs, prepare RSAWs, train teams, and drive a culture of accountability with cross‑functional collaboration in a dynamic energy environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (electrical preferred) or related field.
• Eight years fossil hydro generation experience; four years in compliance, auditing, risk management.
• Utility/energy sector or NERC experience preferred. 45-minute proximity requirement stated.
• PE desirable; certifications such as CISSP/CISA/CRISC desirable.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and interpret the operational impact of new/revised NERC standards; participate in ballot processes and translate requirements into organizational applicability.
• Develop and maintain compliance programs with policies, procedures, processes, and controls.
• Gather, review, organize, and maintain compliance evidence (data, logs, reports).
• Prepare RSAWs and Audit Readiness Packages; support internal and external audits.
• Provide guidance to operations, engineering, IT, and cybersecurity on best practices.
• Develop compliance reports and dashboards; track status in compliance tools; support submissions to NERC/Regional Entities.
• Contribute to internal controls to mitigate compliance risk; collaborate with plant/system teams.
• Coordinate cross-departmental efforts; assist with special projects and state PUC requirements.
• Review mitigation plans and RFI responses with IBUL; help design compliant processes and controls.

Skills

NERC standards

Compliance management

Audit readiness

Risk assessment

Regulatory reporting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering (electrical preferred) or related field

Professional Engineer (PE) desirable

Certifications: CISSP/CISA/CRISC desirable

Job description

Job Posting End Date 11-06-2026 Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.

Job Summary

A NERC Compliance Lead ensures that electric utilities, power generators, transmission operators, and related energy organizations comply with mandatory reliability standards established by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). These standards encompass Operations and Planning (O&P) requirements necessary to maintain bulk electric system reliability, as well as Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards designed to safeguard the grid from cybersecurity threats. The role is critical to preventing system disturbances, maintaining grid stability, and avoiding regulatory violations and penalties. In addition, the NERC Compliance Lead plays a proactive role in identifying, assessing, and mitigating compliance risk by supporting internal controls, facilitating self assessments and audits, and serving as a subject matter resource for operations, engineering, IT, and cybersecurity teams. The role requires staying current on evolving NERC standards, industry guidance, and enforcement trends, participating in standards development and ballot processes when applicable, and translating regulatory requirements into practical, executable actions. Through collaboration, education, and continuous improvement, the Lead helps embed a culture of compliance and accountability while supporting the organization’s broader reliability and risk management objectives.

Job Description

What We're Looking For:

• Collaborate on, monitor, and interpret the operational impact of new and revised NERC standards by tracking standards development, regulatory policy activity, and industry trends; actively participate in NERC ballot processes and discussions to identify and mitigate compliance and reliability risks prior to standard approval and translate requirements into organizational applicability.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of Compliance Programs: Assist in creating, updating, and implementing policies, procedures, processes, and controls to meet NERC requirements.
• Evidence collection and documentation: Gather, review, organize, and maintain compliance evidence (data, logs, reports).
• Contribute to the preparation and review of Reliability Standard Audit Worksheets (RSAWs), and Audit Readiness Packages.
• Audits and assessments: Support internal audits, spot-checks, self-certifications, and external regulatory audits. Identify gaps, perform root cause analysis for potential violations, and recommend corrective actions.
• Consultation and training: Provide guidance to business units (operations, engineering, IT, plant staff) on compliance best practices, requirements, and evidence sufficiency. Help communicate regulatory changes.
• Reporting and metrics: Develop compliance reports, dashboards, or metrics. Track status, monitor tasks in compliance tools, and support submissions to NERC or Regional Entities.
• Controls Development and Execution: Contribute to the development, execution, and tracking of internal controls to support compliance risk mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate with Embedded Support, plant system owners, GEN NERC, and ENRA to ensure that processes are compliant.
• Coordinate cross-departmental efforts, assist with special projects, and support state public utility commission requirements.
• Work with Operating Company’s Impacted Business Unit Leader (IBUL) to review and approve mitigation plans, RFI responses, and the design of compliance processes and controls.

Note: This position is posted at multiple grade levels and offers a range of opportunities for advancement. The minimum qualifications outlined below apply to the NERC Compliance Lead (Grade 09) level, with increased educational, skill or experience requirements for higher level NERC Compliance Leads.

What We're Looking For:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering (electrical preferred) Computer, Systems, or Applications engineering, Business, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of eight years in fossil hydro generation-related experience, preferably including project-level leadership. Minimum of four years in compliance, auditing, risk management, power systems operations, or cybersecurity. Prior utility/energy sector or NERC-specific experience is highly preferred. Distribution system experience is a plus.
• Additional Expectations: Talent expected to live within 45 minutes of the worksite. Licenses/Certifications Preferred: Professional Engineer (PE) desirable Certified Power Systems Engineer (PSE) highly desirable NERC System Operator Certification CISSP, CISA, or other compliance/security certifications CRISC or similar risk/compliance certifications. Licenses/Certifications Required: Valid driver’s license.

What You’ll Get:

In addition to a competitive compensation, AEP offers a unique comprehensive benefits package that aims to support and enhance the overall well-being of our employees.

Where Putting the Customer First Powers Everything We Do! At AEP, we’re more than just an energy company - we’re a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions. Guided by our mission to put the customer first, we strive to exceed expectations by listening, responding, and continuously improving the way we serve our communities. If you’re passionate about making a meaningful impact and being part of a forward-thinking organization, this is the company for you!

Compensation Data

• Compensation Grade: SP20-009
• Compensation Range: $116,255.00 - $177,501.00
• The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S - Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all respects of the employer-employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we might record certain information or applicants for employment may be invited to voluntarily disclose protected characteristics.

At American Electric Power, we provide more than electricity to our millions of customers - we energize possibilities. We’re redefining the future of energy by reducing our carbon footprint, empowering the communities we serve and building an engaged, talented workforce. All while delivering the reliable service our customers expect. It’s an exciting time in the energy industry. Are you ready to be part of it? We’re looking for team members to help create the grid of the future. Learn more about our commitment to creating a supportive, inclusive work culture that values different experiences.