Managing Assistant General Counsel

At ERCOT, our diverse and dynamic work environment provides a platform on which employees can work together to build the future of the Texas power grid and wholesale market utilizing the latest technologies and resources. We encourage you to join our talented, dedicated workforce to develop world-class solutions for today and tomorrow’s energy challenges while learning new skills and growing your career.

ERCOT is committed to fostering inclusion at all levels of our company. It is the cornerstone of our corporate values of accountability, leadership, innovation, trust, and expertise. We know that individuals with a wide variety of talents, ideas, and experiences propel the innovation that drives our success. An inclusive and diverse workforce strengthens us and allows for a collaborative environment to solve the challenges that face our industry today and in the future.

Job Summary

As the independent system operator (ISO) for the power system that serves the majority of Texas, Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. (ERCOT) is responsible for operating and planning the ERCOT transmission grid and administering the ERCOT wholesale power market, among other critical functions. The ERCOT Legal Department is seeking an experienced attorney to join its team as a Managing Assistant General Counsel. The ideal candidate will have leadership, management, and industry experience, excellent written and oral communication skills, exceptional attention to detail, and a keen interest in supporting ERCOT in its critical roles.

The Managing Assistant General Counsel provides advice on legal issues and advocates on behalf of ERCOT. This role will manage attorneys and legal staff, provide advice and counsel to internal clients, research and draft legal documents, represent ERCOT in regulatory, judicial, and legislative matters, and keep abreast of legislative and regulatory changes that may impact ERCOT. This position is responsible for the delivery of legal expertise and advice to the organization in a variety of substantive areas, including regulatory, compliance (corporate and regulatory), the ERCOT Reliability Monitor function, litigation/dispute resolution, and other areas as needed.

Job Duties

- Responsible for hiring, coaching, training, and performance management of staff.

- Regularly interacts with senior management or executive levels on matters concerning several functional areas, divisions, and/or customers. Requires the ability to gain acceptance from others in complex situations.

- May manage activities of two or more departments. Provides leadership to managers, supervisors and/or professional staff.

- Provides substantial input to the budgeting process. Responsible for budgetary decisions within functional area according to organizational policy/guidelines. Recommends financial decisions that impact area of responsibility.

Additional Job Duties

In addition to the broad job duties identified above, this role will engage in a variety of additional duties that include the following:

- Counseling ERCOT departments and leaders regarding various legal issues

- Monitoring state regulatory and legislative matters that may impact ERCOT

- Advising ERCOT with respect to issues arising in connection with stakeholder committee activities, regulatory proceedings, compliance requirements, and legislative and regulatory risk management

- Interpreting and/or implementing ERCOT Protocols and Other Binding Documents

- Managing the ERCOT Legal Department’s role as the ERCOT Reliability Monitor

- Contributing to the writing, editing, and publishing of various reports and filings required by Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) rules

- Representing ERCOT’s interests in the ERCOT stakeholder process

- Analyzing revision requests, including Nodal Protocol Revision Requests (NPRRs), ERCOT staff comments regarding revision requests, and Impact Analyses of revision requests

- Advocating on behalf of ERCOT in regulatory matters including rulemaking proceedings PUCT, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) proceedings, contested cases, compliance engagements, and litigation matters

- Participating in audits and other compliance activities as required by internal controls, ERCOT market rules, or state and federal laws, rules, or standards

- Managing administrative cases including document preparation, discovery, strategy, and advocacy before administrative authorities

- Assisting in directing regulatory strategy and advocacy

- Providing legal expertise and advice to ensure the legal needs of the organization are met

- Participating in legal research and drafting, reviewing, and revising legal documents

- Understanding and applying principles, theories, and concepts related to the legal profession and industry

Experience

- Requires minimum 10 years job related work experience and 3 years in a management or leadership role in excess of degree requirements. Minimum years of job related experience can include time in leadership roles.

- Preferred candidate will have 15+ years of job-related work experience and 5+ years of management or leadership experience.

EDUCATION

- Bachelor's Degree : Any discipline (Required)

- Juris doctorate from an accredited law school (Required)

CERTIFICATION

- Active member of the State Bar of Texas in good standing (Required)

WORK LOCATION

- Must be on-site at the Austin office at least two days per week, or more, based on business needs and as determined by management

- Work arrangements are subject to business needs and subject to change

The foregoing description reflects the minimum qualifications and the essential functions of the position that must be performed proficiently with or without reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. It is not an exhaustive list of the duties expected to be performed, and management may, at its discretion, revise or require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. As part of the interview process, candidates for the position may be asked to complete a writing exercise to evaluate legal writing and analytical skills. This job description is not intended to create a contract of employment with ERCOT. Both ERCOT and the employee may exercise their employment-at-will rights at any time.

ERCOT is firmly committed to equal employment for all qualified persons without regard to race, sex, medical condition, religion, age, creed, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, ancestry, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected category under federal, state or local law.

ERCOT is firmly committed to equal employment for all qualified persons without regard to race, sex, medical condition, religion, age, creed, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, ancestry, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected category under federal, state or local law.

Expected Salary Range

$211,826 - $360,074