NERC Standard Manager Lead

American Electric Power; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 137,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

American Electric Power seeks a subject matter expert to support NERC audit readiness and compliance across functions. You will train others, serve as a trusted advisor on NERC standards, and act as the single contact for ENRA compliance services.

You will drive improvements in the AEP NERC program and coordinate with BU leadership on implementation and evidence collection. The role emphasizes incident investigation, mitigation planning, and regulatory interaction, with a focus on reducing risk

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics, communications, computer science, business, or related field. Advanced degree preferred.
• Eight or more years in electric utility or similarly regulated industry with NERC compliance experience preferred.
• Experience with CIP and O&P standards; able to interact with executive leadership.

Responsibilities

• Provide audit readiness services and identify root causes for compliance gaps.
• Draft regulator-ready language and support mitigation plans with milestones.
• Implement standards with BU leadership and track evidence of completion.
• Develop and review RSAW narratives; pull evidence on demand.
• Respond to regulator RFIs and coordinate cross-unit compliance efforts.

Skills

NERC Standards knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

Audit readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/math/CS

Job description

Job Summary

Support business units to be audit ready and improve compliance of NERC requirements across applicable functions and registrations. Support Business Unit compliance teams. Adapt to serve BU’s depending on their compliance organizational maturity. Perform Audit Readiness directly as needed. Be a trustworthy advisor by maintaining expertise in the NERC Standards. Act as the single point of contact, per NERC Standard, for ENRA compliance services. Contribute to strategic vision for NERC Program at AEP. Drive improvements in the AEP NERC program.

Job Description

What You'll Do:

Requires SME capability for all NERC Audit Readiness Services. Ability to train others on Audit Readiness Services shown below.

Potential Compliance Incident Investigation

• Identify root cause and establish facts of incident
• Identify impact and risk
• Draft language for regulator review

Mitigation Plan Support

• Draft language for regulator review
• Develop milestones, including preventive efforts and
• Track progress of approved plan and review evidence of completion

Standard Implementation

• Work with impacted business unit leadership to create and execute an implementation plan for new and revised standards

RSAW Development and Review

• Support business unit compliance teams to review and/or develop narrative of compliance

Gap Analysis and Controls

• Assess and provide feedback to compliance SMEs on the ability of BU processes to fulfill compliance requirements
• Identify failure points relating to compliance requirements
• Identify process improvements and/or controls as needed to reduce the risk of failure points
• Execute the second level of controls as needed

Evidence Pull Sheet Support

• Support BU compliance experts to define evidence of compliance
• Support instructions to pull and review evidence on demand

RFI Response

• Collect SME responses to regulator RFIs

What We're Looking For:

Education: Bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics, communications, computer science, business, or other related field of study. Advanced degree preferred.

Experience: In addition to any experience required above, eight or more years of progressively responsible positions the in electric utility or similarly regulated industry. Experience in NERC compliance or a similar regulatory compliance is preferred

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to manage highest risk and/or most organizationally complex standards, including both CIP and O&P standards.
• Expertise on how NERC Standards relate to each other.
• Understand relationship between NERC Standards, Regional Entities, and RTO's
• Ability to represent AEP's needs for NERC Standards with external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to drive consensus between business units.
• Hands on experience with Business Unit systems and processes required.
• Ability to communicate compliance opportunities to executive leadership.
• Master's Degree is desirable. Certification/Licensure is preferred (NERC, PMP, PE, etc.)
• Experience with NERC Standards Development preferred.

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 Range:

$136,539.00 - $177,503.00

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. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

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.