Transmission Contract Manager

Job Description

Manages transmission contracts related to PSE’s transmission rights and assets. Analyzes and negotiates complex transmission contractual agreements. Provides guidance in the management of existing transmission rights and obligations, consistent with the strategic direction of the Company. Manages Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) jurisdictional agreements with PSE’s counterparties to reduce risk and maximize the efficient use of PSE’s transmission assets. Facilitates cross-functional collaboration with internal teams, external partners, regulatory agencies, and other organizations to ensure effective contract implementation and optimal alignment with organizational objectives. Considered subject matter expert on relevant regulations and provides employee training on FERC regulatory requirements.

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

• Manages and negotiates critical agreements representing PSE as a Balancing Authority, Transmission Owner, Transmission Operator and Transmission Service Provider.
• Drafts, negotiates, and manages 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).
• Analyzes and optimizes 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.
• Conducts and oversees technical, economic, and risk analyses of contractual proposals and alternatives to identify benefits and costs.
• Facilitates contract dispute resolution.
• Provides counsel to leadership on complex issues related to contract management, including:
  • Navigating relationships with contracted parties to ensure mutually beneficial outcomes.
  • Developing and refining standard operating procedures to optimize contract implementation.
  • Addressing and resolving instances of non-compliance with contract terms and conditions.
• Making informed recommendations.
• Coaches and trains entry and mid-level transmission contract administration personnel.
• Analyzes, develops, facilitates, and implements transmission service solutions for complex, multi- faceted projects involving multiple project areas and stakeholders.
• Represents PSE’s interest in regional transmission policy stakeholder processes (BPA, NorthernGrid, CAISO, etc.), on high visibility projects, industry technical committees and on contractual committees relating to ownership and operations.
• Assists with the management of rights and obligations in existing network, point-to-point and legacy transmission agreement obligations with transmission customers, including but not limited to PSE Merchant, the Bonneville Power Administration, and retail wheeling customers.
• Reviews proposed short and long-term transactions for transmission deliverability.
• Works with transmission customers on issues relating to business practices, transmission service obligations/provisions, transmission outages, Open Access Same-time Information System (OASIS), and technical systems implementation.
• Supports FERC formula rate proceedings, audits, WUTC General Rate Case filings fulfilling data request assignments responses via data collection, analysis, written responses and peer review.
• Upholds the company’s transmission strategy, in support of transmission planning obligations and Integrated System Planning.
• Develops relationships and communicates requirements with transmission customers, other utilities, traders, schedulers, and internal departments to enhance PSE's ability to effectively serve our customer base. Works within company policies and transmission tariff rules and applicable laws and regulations at the local, state, and federal levels.
• 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.
• Eight (8) years of relevant work experience, preferably in the energy industry as legal counsel, an analyst, economist, or engineer overseeing the execution of transmission contracts, or related experience.
• Working knowledge and understanding of transmission contracts, FERC OATT’s, and open access transmission service.
• Demonstrated capability to carry out complicated analysis combining multiple sources of data, inputs, and sensitivities.
• 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

• Understanding of transmission planning, risk assessment, and the wholesale energy market.
• 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.