Manager - Regulatory Affairs

• Responsible for the Corporation's ongoing relationships with regulatory commissions & authorities. Develops programs and processes to manage complaint cases brought to regulatory authorities and develops process improvements to avoid future complaints. Interacts with internal & external parties to advance the Corporation's positions; provides expertise in regulatory matters to other business units (BUs) within the Corporationand collaborates with the Corporation's Legal organization in developing strategies and positions to manage electric/gas case proceedings before the MPSC and /or FERC; assures proper implementation of & compliance with MPSC and/or FERC mandates (regarding electric/gas activities). Directs the preparation of testimony and analyses to (or for) governmental or regulatory agencies, supporting the Corporation's positions and influencing the outcomes of regulatory filings. Reviews and summarizes key testimony, statements and decisions; analyzes the economic and strategic impact on the organization, and maintains a thorough knowledge of regulations, rules and procedures. Manages and provides technical guidance to professional-level individual contributor and supervisor classification employees. Accountable for the performance and results of a team in a given discipline. Adapts departmental plans and priorities to address business and operational challenges. Decisions are guided by policies, procedures, and business plans, although incumbent receives guidance from his leader.

• Lead the Company's regulatory pricing and load research functions.
• Assess and develops strategic positions to mitigate or enhance the regulatory impacts of existing and emerging state and/or federal regulatory policies.
• Develops and maintains constructive working relationships with key individuals within and external to the Corporation involved in regulatory matters pertaining to Corporation.
• Provides or facilitates the provision of expert testimony in regulatory and other legal proceedings.
• Provides studies, analyses and presentations to internal decision makers, regulators, legislators, etc., providing compelling support for the Corporation's regulatory positions.
• Ensures compliance with MPSC/FERC orders and administrative rules for electric/gas operations.
• Ensures that all regulatory filings and related pronouncements are consistent with the Corporation's best interests and strategic intent.
• Researches and develops alternative positions for the Corporation to maximize timely cost recovery, utility earnings and cash return.
• Corporation's primary liaison on regulatory matters with external parties.
• Performs or guides & ensures the accomplishment of the following core management functions for a given BU (or group within that BU): planning, organizing, directing, staffing, coordinating, reporting & budgeting.
• Develops a staff possessing the sufficient expertise to represent the Corporations interests regarding public policy issues, related litigation, competitive positioning, etc.
• This position may require FERC gas training

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, accounting, finance, economics, or other related discipline, and 8+ years of job-relevant experience, including at least 5 in a utility environment, and 3 in a supervisory or 'leadworker' capacity

Preferred

• Post-graduate academic degree in a relevant discipline; 10+ years of job-relevant experience, including utility experience
• Experience as an expert witness in utility regulatory proceedings

Other Requirements

• Well-developed 'active listening' & negotiating skills.
• Consulting and influencing skills consistent with the ability to build relationships and influence parties; may include getting parties to embrace changing expectations and initiatives.
• Written and verbal communication & advocacy skills consistent with the ability to present results of projects & research to executive-level Corporate management and influential external parties, and engage in persuasive written & verbal interaction.
• Analytical & problem solving skills consistent with the ability to identify key issues from a broad range of alternatives, and recommend optimal solutions for various situations.
• Develops challenging short and long-term group plans & objectives aligned with those of the Division & Corporation; solicits staff input in the developmental process.
• Business & management acumen extending beyond the incumbent's specific job, enabling him to proffer valuable insights, recommendations or challenges to policies, procedures & practices extending beyond the immediate scope of his job (this level of insight or expertise is typically not attained without several years of experience, regardless of the level of educational attainment).
• Working knowledge of financial & economic analysis, project & risk management.
• Broad understanding of power generation, transmission, distribution and regional power dispatch issues.
• Well developed organization and planning skills; ability to apply project planning & implementation and/or continuous improvement principles (typically acquired through several years of experience in these areas) to affect tangible, positive outcomes.
• Ability to conduct efficacious meetings & manage the meeting process with optimal results.
• Initiates new ideas and approaches; challenges orthodox practices & approaches with reasonably sound alternatives.
• Promotes an atmosphere conducive to the open exchange of new ideas, and alternatives to orthodox approaches.
• Motivates through 'leading by example,' coaching/mentoring and providing ongoing constructive feedback to subordinate staff; competent in systematically eliciting the best efforts & results from subordinate staff

Incumbents may engage in all or some combination of the activities and accountabilities, and utilize a variety of the competencies cited in this description depending upon the organization and role to which they are assigned. This description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents in this job. It is not intended as an all-inclusive list of accountabilities or responsibilities, nor is it intended to limit the rights of supervisors or management representatives to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.