Manager, Regulatory Compliance (NERC)

LRE (Leeward Renewable Energy) is a high-growth renewable energy company forging a sustainable future through integrity, innovation, and positive impact. We own and operate 30 large wind, solar, and energy storage projects across the United States, totaling over 3 gigawatts (GW) of generating capacity.

LRE has an ambitious goal of 10GW of operating assets by 2028 and are developing and contracting an increasing pipeline of new projects every year. We take a full-lifecycle approach to our projects, built on a long-term ownership model and a company culture dedicated to our community partners and protecting the environment.

Job Summary:

The Regulatory Manager (NERC), reports to the Sr. Director of Regulatory Compliance and will be responsible for ensuring LRE’s utility-scale renewable energy projects comply with applicable North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), NERC Regional Entities (RE), and other applicable standards, rules, and statutes. The Regulatory Manager (NERC) will build, implement, and manage a NERC Compliance Program to support compliance with applicable NERC Reliability Standards, including operations and planning (O&P/693), and will collaborate with members LRE’s NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) compliance professionals. The Regulatory Manager (NERC) will develop compliance policies and procedures through research and interaction with internal Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) across the organization and site operating personnel to ensure organizational compliance with the NERC Reliability Standards. The Regulatory Manager (NERC) will develop and maintain key performance indicators for tracking compliance program performance. This position supports the broader Regulatory Compliance program to ensure that LRE is "auditably compliant" at all times.

Responsibilities:

- Manage and oversee compliance policies and procedures designed to achieve compliance with NERC Reliability Standards.

- Manage the administration and maintenance of compliance management applications, workflow, and tracking software.

- Lead and/or conduct compliance analyses, gap analyses, event investigations, risk assessments, enforcement proceedings, internal control evaluations, etc.

- Support/lead regulatory initiatives such as, NERC/Regional Entity self-certifications, spot-checks, gap analyses, and audits using the NERC ALIGN portal and Secure Evidence Locker.

- Coordinate and administer various regulatory filings, such as, Periodic Data Submittals, quarterly MIDAS reporting, event reports, etc.

- Monitor new/revised NERC Reliability Standards and develop plans for implementation, collaborating with SMEs, O&M providers, and/or external stakeholders.

- Function as the SME for NERC Reliability Standards and promote awareness across the business on relevant NERC and/or other compliance matters.

- Review studies, one-line diagrams, models, engineering drawings, protection system documents, and other technical information to determine compliance.

- Collaborate with LRE Development and Construction teams and external consultants to prepare future projects for NERC compliance.

- Analyze published NERC lessons learned, enforcement actions, and other regulatory developments to determine business impacts and develop appropriate plans to implement relevant actions.

- Actively engage with the industry and regulators through NERC/RE committees, trade associations, and other groups, influencing standards development and adopting industry best practices.

- Assist in the creation and maintenance of relevant compliance training

Qualifications:

- 5 - 7+ years of experience with NERC Reliability Standards (693 and CIP), preferably with standards applicable to GO/GOP.

- Ability to learn and demonstrate technical understanding of power plant systems, design, and operation as they relate to NERC Standards.

- Experience administering and/or working with compliance/work-flow databases or software (SharePoint or equivalent).

- Excellent people skills, organizational and time-management skills, drive for results, attention to detail, and communication skills.

- Proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

- Ability to work independently and/or lead a team.

- Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, business, or equiva

- lent experience as an energy compliance professional.

- NERC Entity Registration process (CORES) experience preferred.

Physical Demands:

- Up to 50% travel may be required to support site visits, NERC Regional meetings and professional development.

Leeward Management Services, LLC is committed to employing a diverse workforce and provides equal employment opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Notice to Recruiters and Staffing Agencies:

Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE) does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiting vendors or employment agencies. Only recruiting vendors with a current, signed agreement in place with LRE are authorized to submit resumes for specific, requested positions. All unsolicited resumes and candidate profiles submitted to LRE, or any LRE employee, without an active agreement or written request from LRE’s HR Department, will be considered property of LRE. LRE will not be responsible for any fees or expenses associated with unsolicited resumes or candidates submitted in this manner.