Supervisor Network Planning - IT Networks

Location: Akron, OH, United States; Hybrid

About the Opportunity

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.

This position can be filled in Akron, Reading, Greensburg, Fairmont, Williamsport, Holmdel, Morristown, or near any other major FE office.  Position is currently remote but may work at or visit a facility based on business need. 

This position is within FirstEnergy Service Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp.

FirstEnergy takes a market-based approach to pay, which may vary depending on your location.  In addition, your actual base salary will depend on various factors such as your skills, qualifications, and experience.

The estimated pay range for this role is $123,250 - $174,000.  The pay range for certain locations, including the state of New Jersey, include a 20% differential to account for an increased cost of living, making the pay range $147,900 - $208,800.

Objective

Reporting to the Manager, IT Network Engineering – this position supervises a team responsible for the strategic planning and coordination of enterprise network communications projects across FirstEnergy. This team plays a critical role in enabling secure, resilient, and high-performance network infrastructure that supports both business and operational needs.  Includes project/request onboarding, portfolio coordination, Telecom Expense Management (TEM) administration, and budget reporting and assistance for the IT Network Engineering group.  Also includes network staging coordination of materials preparing for field or lab deployment as well as oversight of FE’s network staging contractor/partner. 

Principal Responsibilities 

• Provide daily supervision and guidance to the Network Planning team that supports the IT Network Engineering group, including contractors and employees
• Direct personnel actions in accordance with the company’s guidelines and procedures. Perform regular check-in conversations with employees and provide coaching and feedback on priorities, performance, expectations, professional development, and career growth.  Develop a cohesive and effective team.
• Participate in the overall portfolio planning for network communications projects including Transmission, Distribution, and IT/Corporate portfolios
• Collaborate closely with other leaders within the IT Network Engineering group to scope, prioritize, and budget network projects, ensuring alignment with technical and financial guardrails, while providing portfolio support from inception to completion
• Understand IT & OT network communications terminology with a broad understanding of network technologies and how they relate to the successful operation of critical FE systems/services
• Communicate effectively with other business stakeholders to portray project needs and understand requirements and processes – maintain strong relationships with FE business units to enable cross-functional collaboration and effective prioritization of work based on established business needs
• Maintain effective relationships with key FE contractors and vendors providing critical services, including oversight of contracted network staging services/materials management provider
• Maintain strict adherence to FE safety programs and guidelines
• Champion FE’s Core Values & Behaviors, through coaching and by personal example

Additional Responsibilities 

• Execute work to assure on-scope, on-schedule, and on-budget performance
• Champion strategies that advance FE’s processes and utilization of IT assets, in alignment with business needs

• Maintain functional knowledge of business/accounting policies as well as emerging business requirements

   

Qualifications Include:

• Bachelor or Associate Degree in Information Technology, Engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunications, Business Administration, or related field with 5+ years of related experience required.  In lieu of a degree, 8+ years of related experience required.
• Understanding of network communications terminology/types of technologies
• Understanding of accounting and budgeting concepts such as capitalization, operating expenses, amortization, forecasting, variances, etc. 
• Knowledge of building business cases for projects and project management (from conception to execution)
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, including presenting, training, and mentoring
• Strong project management skills and experience with coordinating multi-task projects
• Solid knowledge of FE business units to enable effective communication
• PMP certification helpful but not required

Preferred Experience Includes:

• Managing or participating in FE Transmission or Distribution portfolio projects such as under the Energize365 IT Network & Security portfolio or under Distribution rider programs like LTIIP, EnergizeNJ, etc. 
• Managing large, complex budgets
• Oversight of contractors/vendors to execute projects effectively and on-time  
• Network engineering/operations experience such as with fiber, WAN, LAN, FAN, leased circuits, or comm engineering systems/standards

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