Director Operations - PA Operations - State College Service Center

Director, Utility Operations – FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company

Location: State College, PA

Position Summary

The Director oversees 24/7 electric utility operations for a designated service area, leading distribution line operations. This role is responsible for the safe, reliable, and cost-effective delivery of electricity while ensuring regulatory compliance and supporting long-term operational sustainability.

Key responsibilities include managing T&D construction and maintenance programs, partnering with engineering and operations teams, overseeing emergency response activities, managing capital and O&M budgets, leading capital project execution, and maintaining relationships with regulators, public officials, customers, and community stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and promote a strong culture of safety, compliance, inclusion, and accountability.
• Manage utility operations, maintenance, construction, and reliability performance.
• Develop and execute operational strategies, budgets, and capital improvement plans.
• Lead, coach, and develop managers, supervisors, and staff.
• Ensure regulatory, environmental, and reliability compliance.
• Collaborate with union leadership and stakeholders to support operational excellence.
• Drive continuous improvement, workforce planning, and process standardization.
• Oversee contractor performance and resource allocation.

Leadership Competencies

• Operational Expertise
• Change Leadership
• Strategic Thinking
• Execution & Accountability
• Communication & Collaboration

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required; MBA or PE preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive electric utility experience, including 5+ years in management.
• Experience in utility operations, construction, engineering, transmission/distribution, or related functions.
• Strong leadership, financial, and technical acumen.
• Proven ability to lead large teams, manage labor relations, and drive organizational change.

Preferred Knowledge

• Utility operations, engineering, maintenance, and system planning.
• Regulatory, environmental, and reliability requirements.
• Budgeting, capital planning, and contract management.
• Labor relations and collective bargaining administration.
• Strategic planning, process improvement, and stakeholder engagement.

Key Skills

• Strategic and analytical decision-making
• Leadership and change management
• Regulatory and operational compliance
• Relationship building and communication
• Problem solving and independent judgment