Director Budgeting & Forecasting - Strategy, Long Term Planning & Bus Performance - Akron General Office Bldg

About the Opportunity

This is an open position with the FirstEnergy Service Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. SC00

Director, Budgeting & Forecasting is located in Akron, OH and reports to the VP, Strategy, Long-Term Planning & Business Performance.

The position leads a team of managers, supervisors and analysts that are directly responsible for development of FirstEnergy’s consolidated budgeting and forecasting requirements, financial KPI tracking, as well as oversight of our forecasting software.

This position partners across the entire organization for the planning and execution of all budgeting and forecasting with the goal of maximizing shareholder returns and cash flows while minimizing customer bill impacts and providing the necessary balance for operations to provide strong service to our customers.

Responsibilities :

Provides direction and leadership from the following perspectives :

• Demonstrating and leading a solid commitment to all aspects of FirstEnergy’s core values and behaviors.
• Owns the entire budgeting and forecasting process from start to finish to ensure all parties achieve their committed targets within the forecast
• Sets the strategic vision / aspiration of the long-term forecast to maximize the value of the forecast to all stakeholders.
• Partners with all levels of the organization to understand the needs, opportunities and risks to the forecast.
• Provides solutions to maintain targeted growth levels in the face of headwinds and to maximize the value of tailwinds.
• Own the creation of the Financial KPIs from a short and long-term perspective.
• Oversees the creation of scenario analysis of the forecast for various strategic transactions providing alternatives to the current plan to maximize value and contingency plan.
• Oversees the creation of our long-term load forecast which is the basis for customer usage and revenues.
• Provides periodic updates to Executive Council on the status of the forecast, including opportunities and risks to the forecast and alternative pathways to achievement of results
• The key liaison of the financial forecasting aspect of the strategy retreat, investor materials, board materials, rating agencies, regulatory filings, etc.
• Creates an environment of continuous improvement always looking for opportunities to maximize value of the group and the forecast.
• Direct reports include leaders of Load Forecasting & Regulated Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting and Scenario Planning

Qualifications :

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or related discipline required; Master’s degree and CPA preferred
• Minimum of ten years relevant work experience at progressively increasing levels of responsibility and leadership is required.

Relevant experience includes experience in accounting, financial or financial-support role required

• Performs in accordance with the FirstEnergy Core Values & Behaviors, leads by example, and demonstrates how these values and behaviors align with the Company’s mission, priorities, objectives, and interests
• Strong financial acumen including experience with financial statements including Income Statements, Balance Sheets and Statement of Cash Flows
• Previous significant budgetary responsibility
• Accomplished and approachable leader, with a demonstrated track record driving continuous improvement
• Strategic vision and continuous improvement mindset
• Experience with working across an entire organization to align on a common goal or objective
• Fosters an inclusive work environment that supports FirstEnergy’s overall goal of diversity and inclusion
• Acts in an ethical and professional manner, with the highest level of integrity, and in compliance with the code of business conduct and all relevant policies and procedures
• Builds relationships through collaboration and teamwork, across all levels and departments of the company

Specific knowledge and experience requirements include :

• Experience in a highly regulated environment
• A general knowledge of GAAP and FERC accounting standards
• Advanced administrative principles and methods, including strategic goal setting, organizational analysis, program development and implementation
• Federal, state and local laws, regulations affecting the utility industry including a general understanding of rate making
• Full P&L budgeting, capital planning and cash flow preparation and analysis
• Experience in optimizing performance and results through continuous performance

Ability to :

• Lead by example, facilitate and lead teams through change, and promote the values of trust and integrity
• Analyze difficult and complex issues and strategies, reach sound and logical fact-based conclusions and recommendations
• Understand, interpret, explain, and apply local, state, and federal policy, law, regulation, and court decisions as they relate to operations and their impacts on finance
• Provide fiscal oversight and manage large budgets ranging from hundreds of millions of dollars to billions of dollars.
• Evaluate departmental practices and make sound recommendations for improvements; develop and implement appropriate procedures and controls
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of employees
• Read and interpret technically complex documents and their related impacts to the financials of the company

Benefits, Compensation & Workforce Diversity

At FirstEnergy, employees are key to our success. We depend on their talents to meet the challenges of our changing business environment.

We are committed to rewarding individual and team efforts through our total rewards philosophy which includes competitive pay plus incentive compensation, a company-sponsored pension plan, (k) savings plan with matching employer contribution, a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs, as well as skills development training with tuition reimbursement.

Please visit our website at to learn more about all of our employee rewards programs. FirstEnergy proudly supports workforce diversity.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability.

No recruiters or agencies without a previously signed contract. Unable to sponsor or transfer H-1B visas at this time.

Safety

Safety is a core value for FirstEnergy and is essential to all of our business activities. We ensure employees have the tools, information, and processes to perform their duties in a manner that assures safety for themselves, their co-workers, our customers and the public.

Our goals are to provide a safe work environment, to maintain an accident-free, injury-free workplace, and to promote and maintain public safety.

To meet these goals, we dedicate ourselves to achieving world-class safety standards.

Position Classification

Exempt

FirstEnergy Human Resources Team