Interconnection Affairs Mgr

Company Summary Statement

Rhode Island Energy provides essential energy services to over 770,000 customers across Rhode Island through the delivery of electricity or natural gas. Our team is dedicated to helping Rhode Island customers and communities thrive while supporting the transition to a cleaner energy future. Rhode Island Energy is part of the PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) family of companies addressing energy challenges head-on by building smarter, more resilient, and more dynamic power grids and advancing sustainable energy solutions. PPL is a positive force in the cities and towns where we do business, providing support for programs and organizations that empower the success of future generations by helping to build and maintain strong, diverse communities today.

Overview

The Manager of Distribution Interconnection Engineering is responsible for the daily management of distribution interconnection and regulatory processes to support the development, and execution of customer requests to interconnect with RIE’s distribution system. The position must interact with Regional Transmission Organizations such as ISO and may need to testify on performance to regulators (FERC, RI PUC, ISO, etc.). Responsible for coordinating and overseeing the daily activities of a professional team of interconnection engineers. Accountable for formal supervision, coaching, counseling, safety leadership and technical guidance of assigned staff to produce high quality, timely and cost-effective work product that facilitates the achievement of business objectives. This position reports to and works closely with the Manager of Distribution Asset Management, Manager of Customer Energy Integration, and other internal stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Organize and prioritize work group activities, assign, and schedule work and provide oversight, as needed to meet internal and external deadlines.

Evaluate and conduct performance reviews of direct reports, identify opportunities for growth and learning, promote leadership skills and confidence to facilitate continued professional development.

Identify and coordinate technical training for self and direct reports.

Work cross-functionally across technical and business teams, working groups or improvement committees to achieve the goals and objectives of the department and/or company focused on delivering a high-quality experience to customers.

Build and maintain constructive working relationships between self, direct reports and other teams.

Accountable for change management associated with improvements to internal process and procedures related to the interconnection process and adherence to all external regulatory and compliance requirements. Assist in the completion of preparation, monitoring and forecasting of the department budget.

Assist in the coordination of development of annual department goals and metrics.

Prepare or direct the creation and maintenance of performance metrics and trackers related to customer interconnection requests.

Elevate and reinforce a strong safety culture within the work group, through leadership, communication, and behaviors.

Set priorities to ensure timely completion of department work product, coordinate with other supervisors related to work activities under their purview that impact project or regulatory schedules and deadlines. Serve as a liaison across business lines.

Oversee all distribution generation and load customer requests for interconnection.

Supervise development of generator interconnection agreements between RIE and generator owners/developers.

As the main interface with interconnection customers, ensure responses to study requests from generator developers are completed within required ISO tariff timeframes.

Participate or direct active participation in ISO stakeholder committees, as necessary to maintain awareness of issues and proposals related to the ISO planning and interconnection process. Review and recommend, in consultation with ISO and Federal Regulatory Policy department, strategies and policies to promote business objectives and ensure reliability and operational flexibility of the Bulk Electric System.

In-person supervision of employees to ensure compliance with FLSA wage and hour issues as well as to monitor compliance with safety rules.

All positions in which driving is an essential function of the job, regardless of whether the job code is marked safety sensitive or not, will be included as safety sensitive.

This role includes the assignment of an RIE emergency and storm role. This is a special assignment that comes into play during storms and other emergencies when the company needs to restore power or respond to other issues affecting customer service. This role may necessitate the need to work after-hours, outside of your normal schedule.

The company reserves the right to determine if this position will be assigned to work on-site, remotely, or a combination of both. Assigned work location may change. In the case of remote work, physical presence in the office/on-site may be required to engage in face-to-face interaction and coordination of work among direct reports and co-workers.

Performs other duties as assigned

Complies with all policies and standards

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in engineering, business, finance, economics, science, or related discipline.

5+ years of experience working in any combination of utility (or similar industry) contract management, regulatory, legal or client/customer relations.

Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships across all levels of the organization.

Experience resolving complex issues through negotiation and diplomacy.