VaDER Project Manager

Job Summary – VaDER Project Manager

This position will play a pivotal role in shaping how Distribution, Fleet Operations, Bulk Power Operations (BPO), OT, TO, and DER-focused programs work together to support Georgia Power’s evolving distributed energy landscape. This position requires the ability to understand and communicate high‑level distribution concepts and how they interconnect with transmission, fleet, commercial operations, and BPO. The successful candidate will excel at translating concepts across organizations, navigating operational and strategic conversations, and building trust among diverse technical teams.

This role will be responsible for leading the development of the DER System of Record strategy, including both near‑term solutions and long‑term data architectures to support DERMS, operational needs, and cyber‑sensitive considerations. This position will serve as the Distribution lead, collaborating with DCC, TCC, Fleet, EMS, and BPO to establish operational roles, workflows, forecasting strategies, business processes, and modeling approaches required to support DER growth. Key efforts include integrating DER data into CYME, expanding weather‑data granularity, assisting with Grid and Edge DERMS implementation, coordinating with Fleet and BPO for forecasting alignment, and ensuring organizational readiness for the grid of the future.

In addition, this role will support Electric Transportation pilots, evaluate DER and EV charging impacts on operations, assist with DER program/RFP/PPA development, and partner with the VaDER Bulk Lead Team to ensure Distribution insights inform large‑scale system planning. The position will also take ownership of cross‑functional initiatives that fall between teams, helping to align planning and operations across the organization and integrate distribution perspectives into governance forums.

The Grid Strategy & Solutions team is responsible for shaping the company’s long‑term strategy around integrating distributed energy resources into planning, operations, and system architecture. This role sits at the intersection of Distribution, Fleet Operations, BPO, IT, and emerging DERMS initiatives, giving the Distribution Lead high visibility and broad cross‑functional influence. The team values collaboration, clear communication, and practical problem‑solving, and works together to advance a unified vision for how DERs will be integrated across the entire energy delivery system.

Major Job Responsibilities

- Lead development of the DER System of Record strategy

- Collaborate with DCC, TCC, Fleet, EMS, and BPO on operational workflows & business processes

- Support Grid DERMS and Edge DERMS implementations and related initiatives

- Guide modeling, forecasting, and planning activities

- Support load and generation forecasting refinement in DERMS platforms

- Collaborate with Electric Transportation and other DER pilots

- Coordinate with Bulk Power Operations on DER programs and planning

- Lead cross-functional alignment across Distribution, Fleet, and Bulk teams

- Assist with designing, planning and implementing the next phase(s) of DERMS functionalities

- Assist with OCM and business process development as needed

- Assist with communications to OPCO leadership and internal stakeholders

- Lead VaDER Distribution initiatives

- Closely collaborate with VaDER Bulk Leadership Team and Executive Committee

- Work extensively with key DER stakeholders including system operations, fleet operations, interconnections planning, reliability, R&D, renewables, TO, security, legal, regulatory, and marketing, to ensure successful integration.

- Work with key stakeholders across Southern Company to share knowledge and best practices

- Gather feedback from internal stakeholders, customers, and regulatory, to continue to optimize the Company’s DER strategy

- Exhibit technical creativity, foresight, and a healthy willingness to challenge the status quo

- Demonstrate advanced technical problem-solving skills and the ability to address and solve complex engineering issues associated with grid reliability and optimization

- Collaborate and ensure strong partnerships across the SO enterprise.

Preferred Experience, Skills, and Abilities

- 5+ years of experience with a vertically integrated electric utility is highly preferred

- Experience working with Southern Company BPO, EMS, Fleet, TCC, &/or DCC is highly preferred.

- A bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Engineering Technology, Computer Science or a related field is preferred, with an advanced degree a plus.

- Relevant industry certifications, such as PMP or PM certifications, are a plus.

- PE Certification is a plus

- Knowledge of electrical Distribution systems and Operations is required.

- Knowledge and experience of Bulk Power Operations and Fleet Operations is a plus

- Knowledge and experience of Renewables, DER, DR/DSM programs is a plus

- Knowledge and experience with DER forecasting, economic dispatching and/or grid optimization is a plus

- Knowledge of Georgia Power and Southern Company construction practices, guidelines, and procedures is preferred.

- Strong knowledge and experience with DERs and DERMS is preferred.

- Strong knowledge and experience with SCADA and ADMS systems is preferred.

- Experience with OT and TO system integrations and implementations is a plus.

- Able to build positive relationships and work well with diverse groups, tailoring communication methods appropriately for customers, peers, and management.

- Proven experience in developing and improving an inclusive work environment for all employees.

- Demonstrated experience leveraging multiple leadership competencies including but not limited to Business Acumen, Business Execution, Communication, and Organizational Savvy.

- Ability to lead team efforts, identify critical paths, and resolve conflict while effectively managing projects involving multiple work groups and departments

- Ability to resolve conflict between individuals and functional areas.

- Strong communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels, including executives, managers, supervisors, individual contributors, business leaders, and customers.

- Ability to manage multiple project schedules, work plans, and budgets

- Demonstrates Our Values (Safety First, Intentional Inclusion, Act with Integrity, Superior Performance).

- Models ethical conduct in all situations.

- Ability to cultivate and operate in a collaborative team environment.

- Skilled in conflict resolution across individuals and functional areas.

- Enjoys working with a large, diverse team to accomplish projects as a unified group.

- Ability to lead through influence

- Self-motivated, results-oriented, and innovative

- Detail-oriented with problem-solving skills

- Works well in a team environment (both in person and virtual)

- Focus on process improvement, training, and mentoring others

- Adaptable to change

Behavioral Attributes:

Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the Company's promise to 2.6 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy at rates below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the Company is recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeogiaPower.com and connect with the Company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

Southern Company (NYSE: SO ) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy solutions provider with national capabilities, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience and sustainability, we are taking action to meet customers' and communities' needs while advancing our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture has been recognized by a variety of organizations, earning the company awards and recognitions that reflect Our Values and dedication to service. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com .

Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s). A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here https://seo.nlx.org/southernco/pdf/SOCO-Benefits.pdf . Additional and specific details about total compensation and benefits will also be provided during the hiring process.

Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Job Identification: 16892

Job Category: Engineering

Job Schedule: Full time

Company: Georgia Power