Program Manager CI Office - Continuous Improvement - Akron FirstEnergy Headquarters

FirstEnergy Corp; Reading (Berks County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

FirstEnergy Corp. is seeking a Program Manager, Continuous Improvement to lead enterprise-wide CI initiatives. You will define KPIs, monitor project health, and drive data-driven improvements across multiple locations, reporting to the VP of CI.

Travel to various sites is expected to support value delivery and organizational efficiency. The role requires 10+ years in CI or related fields, strong PM skills, and the ability to navigate a matrix organization while prioritizing safety and regulatory

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in business administration, engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years' related work experience in CI, process optimization, engineering, financial analysis, project management, business management or operations.
• Proven expertise in electric utility operations and ability to drive operational excellence and innovation.
• Experience with project management software, continuous improvement tools, data analysis, and methodologies.
• Ability to analyze data, identify inefficiencies, and develop data-driven solutions.
• Experience leading large scale projects and managing risks in a matrix organization.

Responsibilities

• Establish and monitor performance metrics for continuous improvement projects.
• Track metrics and ensure project health and compliance with standards.
• Develop standardized data collection/validation for enterprise projects.
• Build relationships with stakeholders and keep them updated.
• Analyze data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Create reports and dashboards on project status and impact.
• Monitor progress against plans, budgets, and quality standards.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement across the organization.
• Support workshops and training on CI methodologies.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Collaboration

Adaptability

Ethical conduct

Matrix organization experience

Relationship building

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration, engineering, or related field

Tools

Project management software

Continuous improvement tools

Data analysis tools

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

FirstEnergy at a GlanceWe 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 safety, reliability, and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of 3,780 megawatts.

About the Opportunity

This is an open position with FirstEnergy Service Co., a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. [SC00]

Position Summary

The Program Manager, Continuous Improvement (CI) Office reports to the VP, Continuous Improvement and can be located within the FirstEnergy service territory. Travel to various work locations across the territory will be required on an as needed basis. The Program Manager, Continuous Improvement Office is a strategic leader focused on continuous improvement to ensure projects consistently deliver value and enhance organizational efficiency. This role requires strong focus and emphasis on tracking results to identify trends, measure the impact of improvements, and inform future strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and monitor performance metrics by working with stakeholders to define and implement key performance indicators related to continuous improvement projects
• Track metrics thoroughly to assess project health and compliance with established standards and indicators
• Develop and implement a standardized process for collecting and validating project data to ensure accuracy and consistency across enterprise projects
• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, ensuring alignment, timely updates, and proactive issue resolution
• Analyze this data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement
• Create regular reports and dashboards to communicate project status, performance against metrics, and the impact of improvement initiatives to stakeholders and leadership
• Monitor project progress against established plans, ensuring the projects are aligned with timelines, budgets, and quality standards
• Identify, address and resolve any deviations or issues related to project progress quickly
• Determine how the identified continuous improvement initiatives impact key organizational objectives like cost reduction, efficiency gains, and customer experience
• Establish a mechanism for capturing and disseminating lessons learned from projects and improvement initiatives to foster knowledge sharing to implement best practices across the enterprise
• Monitor and report on the progress of improvement projects, highlighting achievements and areas for further development
• Function as a change agent, promoting a culture of continuous improvement throughout the organization
• Support facilitation of workshops and training sessions on continuous improvement methodologies
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and support to teams on improvement tools and techniques
• Ensure compliance with industry regulations and standards

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, engineering, or a related field required.
• A minimum of 10 years' related work experience is required. Related work experience includes continuous improvement, process optimization, engineering, financial analysis, project management, business management or operations
• Excellent project management and organizational skills in planning and coordinating multiple projects and activities
• Proven expertise in electric utility operations and ability to drive operational excellence and innovation
• Experience with project management software, continuous improvement tools, data analysis, and methodologies
• Ability to analyze data, identify inefficiencies, and develop data-driven solutions
• Experience leading large scale projects exhibiting the ability to execute, achieve operational excellence, manage financials, ensure compliance oversight, and manage risks
• Experience in working within a matrix environment reporting to Continuous Improvement organization and engaging with business units
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and produce excellent work products under time pressure or other constraints
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to build relationships through collaboration and teamwork, across all levels and departments of the company
• Acts in an ethical and professional manner, with the highest level of integrity, and in compliance with the code of business conduct and all relevant policies and procedures

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.

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