FirstEnergy at a Glance

We are a forward-thinking electric utility powered by a diverse team of employees committed to making customers’ lives brighter, the environment better and our communities stronger.

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of more than 3,500 megawatts.

About the Opportunity

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

The Senior Advisor, New Jersey External Affairs, will be a key member of FirstEnergy’s External Affairs group, working to advance the interests of the company with state and local legislators, regulators, mayors, governors and other non-governmental stakeholders influencing state and local policy development in the state and across FirstEnergy’s service territory.

This position will be responsible for autonomously managing the in-state external affairs team, a multi-issue and multi-jurisdictional policy portfolio, and serving as a subject matter expert and primary representative of the company with relevant state and local policymakers and regulators. The Senior Advisor of New Jersey External Affairs, manages an in-state team of state government, regulatory, and local and community external affairs professionals who continuously monitor and analyze state legislative and regulatory activity for its impact on business operations, maintain robust relationships with state regulators, state and local elected, appointed, and community leaders, and manage relationships with state and local external consultants, lobbyists, trade associations and industry coalitions to advance the company’s policy and regulatory objectives.

FirstEnergy takes a market-based approach to pay, which may vary depending on your location.  In addition, your actual base salary will depend on various factors such as your skills, qualifications, and experience.

The estimated pay range for this role is $182,000-$214,000. 

Expected Contributions

The primary responsibilities of the Senior Advisor, New Jersey External Affairs will be as follows:

Lead and oversee FirstEnergy’s engagement in state and local legislative, regulatory, and community affairs, including:

• Leading a collaborative team of state and government, regulatory and local external affairs professionals responsible for our engagement with elected, appointed, and grasstops/grassroots in-state stakeholders
• Identifying policy priorities through internal stakeholder engagement
• Managing a multi-issue policy portfolio, including independently analyzing relevant legislative and regulatory activity across various jurisdictions and developing company positioning
• Building content for advocacy campaigns while managing strategic deployment of outside consultants, lobbyists and coalition partners
• Developing and maintaining relationships with state and local officials, as well as their staff, to build receptivity to company policy goals
• Representing the company with state trade associations and coalitions to drive broader alignment with advancing the company objectives
• Developing and executing strategic political giving plans in consultation with leadership and representing the company at fundraisers, conventions and related political events
• Overseeing grassroots political engagement by Business Councils and other property-level associates

Provide political counsel to corporate senior leadership by:

• Informing senior leadership and /or developing executive communications on state and local policy matters
• Educating field, legal, and operations leaders on legislative/regulatory changes that impact business activity and providing guidance as they implement compliance strategies
• Identifying and preparing executives for potential political sensitivities or proactive engagement opportunities arising during the course of public appearances or other business activities
• Collaborating with cross-company functions to ensure message alignment on policy issues to inform communications and business positioning
• Identifying, shaping and/or creating opportunities at public events to educate policymakers and regulators, staff and influencers about FirstEnergy to bolster company reputational and political capital
• Developing or overseeing the creation of content for internal and external communications related to state and local policy developments
• Representing the company at fundraising events and other community/non-governmental partner events; and

Requirements for Position:

Successful candidates ideally should possess knowledge and experience as follows:

• Four-year college degree required, with advanced studies or a graduate degree in public policy, law, or a related field preferred
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience working in a state or local legislative office, in a legislative affairs or policy role within a state agency or Governor’s office, for a regulatory agency, or in an external affairs role, with a mix of government and private sector experience preferred
• Fluency with state and local political and legislative and regulatory processes, as well as experience with grassroots and coalition management
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively, including:
• Ability to relate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders
• Ability to build, facilitate and participate in collaboration between diverse groups
• Ability to effectively interpret and address needs of diverse constituents; and
• Ability to integrate data effectively and work diplomatically with a broad range of individuals, including senior management and government officials.
• Flexibility to travel across the service territory footprint and attend morning and evening events.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills, with attention to detail
• Self-starter who takes initiative and follows through on tasks to completion; ability to work independently
• Demonstrated ability to articulate and synthesize complex issues and present information effectively to diverse audiences
• Ability to work well under pressure, set and adapt to continually changing workload priorities, and effectively manage multiple tasks with minimal supervision
• Ability to independently identify and analyze problems/issues, assess risks, create and evaluate alternative solutions, and recommend a course of action
• Ability to maintain security and confidentiality of sensitive information
• Experience in the energy/utility industry combined with a strong knowledge of regulated industries.

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, 401(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 www.firstenergycorp.com 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