Senior Transmission Contract Manager

Job Description

Oversees the management and negotiation of PSE’s portfolio of transmission contracts under the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) jurisdiction. Advises the business by providing detailed risk assessments, developing strategic approaches, and recommending courses of action. Provides direction to other team members on the management of customer and inter-utility agreements with PSE’s counterparties with the overall goal to reduce risk and maximize the efficient use of PSE’s transmission assets. Serves as an internal and external expert on FERC transmission matters that encompasses any and all responsibilities within the team (including transmission service, interconnection, inter-utility agreements, balancing authority requirements, and other applicable responsibilities) which have regulatory and legal implications. Facilitates cross-functional collaboration with internal teams and other organizations to ensure effective contract implementation and optimal alignment with organizational objectives.

Upholds the safety compliance standards inherent in PSE’s operating and/or field procedures related to work responsibilities. Promotes and supports a culture of total safety.

Demonstrates commitment to conduct business honestly, ethically and consistent with our core values and Code of Conduct.  Ensures duties are performed in accordance with all regulatory compliance obligations.

Job Responsibilities

• Serves as an expert on managing and negotiating critical agreements representing PSE as a Balancing Authority, Transmission Owner, Transmission Operator and Transmission Service Provider.
• Manages the contractual arrangements for the company’s transmission assets to ensure adequate transmission for PSE’s transmission customers while reducing risk and minimizing costs for customers.
• Provides technical leadership and guidance to the transmission contracts team in drafting, negotiating, and managing contracts for transmission service, transmission-to-transmission interconnection, generation interconnection, inter-utility operating agreements, balancing authority agreements, and other agreements as necessary under PSE’s Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT).
• Conducts and oversees technical, economic, and risk analyses of contractual proposals and alternatives to identify benefits and costs.
• Provides counsel on critical regulatory or legal matters that involve technical knowledge or opinion and presents findings to PSE’s senior leadership.
• Coordinates and reviews the work of contract administration staff (including contractors and/or consultants). Analyzes, develops, facilitates, and implements transmission service solutions for complex, multi-faceted projects involving multiple project areas and stakeholders.
• Represents company’s interest in regional transmission policy stakeholder processes (BPA, NorthernGrid, CAISO, etc.), on high visibility projects, other industry technical committees, and on contractually required committees such as operating committees.
• Works with transmission customers and cross-functional teams on issues relating to business practices, transmission service obligations/provisions, transmission outages, Open Access Same-time Information System (OASIS), and technical systems implementation.
• Provides lead support for FERC formula rate proceedings, FERC audits, and WUTC General Rate Case filings fulfilling data request assignments responses via data collection, analysis, written responses and peer review. Provides strategic direction for PSE’s transmission strategy and in support of transmission planning obligations and Integrated System Planning.
• Develops relationships and communicate requirements with transmission customers, other utilities, traders, schedulers, and internal departments in order to enhance PSE's ability to reliably and cost effectively serve our customer base.
• Works within Company policies, systems, evaluation and approval practices, procedures, transmission tariff rules, business practices, and applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.
• Facilitates contract dispute resolution. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in engineering, mathematics, finance, economics, business or a related field; or the equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Ten (10) years of relevant work experience, preferably in the energy industry as legal counsel, an analyst, economist, engineer, or related experience, including three (3) years of demonstrated experience working with transmission contracts, FERC OATTs, and open access transmission service. 
• Professional negotiation and contract dispute resolution experience.
• Demonstrated capability to carry out complicated analysis combining multiple sources of data, inputs, and sensitivities.
• Understanding of transmission modeling and planning, risk assessment, electricity trading and energy market conditions.
• Ability to develop industry contacts, establish relationships, influence others’ positions and negotiate outcomes.
• Ability to work in a team environment with a strong ability to think independently and facilitate cooperation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to travel.
   

Desired Qualifications

• Extensive experience with PSE transmission contracts and operating protocols.
• Demonstrated understanding of Company, BPA, and WECC transmission systems.
• Previous work experience in hybrid roles that combine technical, economic, and policy aspects of transmission systems.
• Experience in electric utility system operations, wholesale power markets, power scheduling and transmission operations.
• Real Time Energy Imbalance Market, Regional Transmission Organization (RTO), and or Independent System Operator (ISO) experience.
• Advanced degree in law, engineering, business, economics or another relevant field of study.

Additional Information

This role will be filled as a Transmission Contracts Administrator, Sr Transmission Contracts Administrator, Transmission Contracts Manager, or Sr Transmission Contract Manager depending on the qualifications of the chosen candidate.

This is a hybrid position meaning that the employee may work both remotely and from the PSE office in Bellevue, Washington.  At least 50% of work time will be in the office.