MGR, EXT AFF & REG COMPLIANCE
BASIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position manages SouthStar’s (SSE) state regulatory affairs functions and promotes regulatory compliance. The incumbent supervises the organization’s policies and objectives involving matters of state regulatory regulations. This position manages regulatory and compliance filings with state regulatory bodies and ensures company-wide regulatory compliance. This role will liaise with and lead individuals and teams within SSE to achieve corporate goals while ensuring operational compliance with state regulatory requirements. Engages with the Public Utility Commision (PUC) staff and maintains relationships with policymakers and industry partners.
Representative Duties and Responsibilities:
To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill(s), and/or ability required.
- Monitors and interprets new and existing regulations from PUCs and other agencies, including Attorneys General (AG) and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
- Represents the company in PUC meetings regarding new projects, compliance issues, rulemakings and other business. Develop positive relationships with the PUCs, Consumer Advocates, and Consumer Affairs departments. Attends and/or monitors regulatory proceedings on behalf of company. Provides answers and resolutions to internal queries regarding regulatory requirements.
- Assists in the preparation of the company’s certification applications. Once certified, prepares and files annual reports for specific markets. Prepares and files renewal certifications in multi-state jurisdictions.
- Conducts research and analysis and prepares regulatory summary information for Director, as required. Analyzes new regulatory requirements to determine company compliance obligations.
- Manages the completion and filing of all regularly scheduled filings in various markets, including monthly price filings, financial reporting, slamming reports, metrics reports, etc. Coordinates information for all PUC data responses and assists in internal meetings to facilitate those responses.
- Maintains strict regulatory compliance in all markets. Develops, maintains and updates compliance policies, procedures and documentation to align with PUC and other agency requirements. Conducts internal compliance audits and risk assessments, identifying areas for improvement and coordinating corrective actions. Oversees resolution of compliance issues to ensure vendors' compliance with business rules. Ensures all Business Owners understand the importance of rule compliance and provides appropriate documentation to ensure their compliance. Identifies compliance risks and assists in implementing effective controls for those risks. May assign Business Owners to PUC rules in regulatory jurisdictions in which SSE operates. Maintains a library of compliance issues. Collaborates with auditors and provides appropriate documentation to satisfy compliance audit concerns. Prepares compliance annual report for Director.
- Participates in project development, design and implementation meetings to ensure compliance with state regulatory rules. Serves as internal Subject Matter Expert for queries from Business Owners, etc. Reviews Business Rules, direct marketing pieces, and customer-facing correspondence with an eye toward regulatory and operational compliance.
- Assists in the management of customer complaint investigation and SSE responses to PUC customer complaints, PUC Staff complaints and any Commissioner issues. Conducts meetings with SSE’s Consumer Relations Manager and team to train them on new PUC rules, update them on regulatory changes, answer questions, etc. May conduct Disconnection in Error and Slamming training for call center personnel and new hire training classes as determined by Director.
- Assists in preparing materials and representing the company in regulatory proceedings, hearings and stakeholder meetings.
- Performs any other duties or responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Governmental Affairs.
Education and Experience:
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree is required. Master’s degree is preferred.
+ 5-7 years’ experience in a regulated and/or competitive retail energy market.
+ Knowledge of regulatory theory and practice as it relates to regulation of natural gas utility and a retail energy marketing company and legislative policy making.
+ Knowledge of the natural gas industry is preferred.
Skills:
Required:
- Must be able to demonstrate the following:
+ Strong analytical skills, attention to detail and an investigative mindset.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills.
* Ability to digest large, complex volumes of information and summarize it into understandable abstracts for wide dissemination.
* High ethical standards and sound professional judgment.
* Expertise in a changing regulatory environment and restructured energy market. The appropriate candidate exhibits comfort with ambiguity in an unpredictable setting.
* Proven thought leadership, industry issues management, planning, and decision-making abilities.
- Ability to develop and foster relationships with external and internal constituencies. The candidate must be able to build trust while utilizing business acumen to collaborate with multiple levels of internal and external organizations.
+ Strong oral advocacy and persuasive negotiation skills
* Considerable problem-solving ability, including the resolution of technical questions through identification and interpretation of legal documentation.
* Ability to resolve conflicts between differing priorities of various process stakeholders by formulating pragmatic solutions and obtaining consensus.
* Ability to work in a highly complex environment under general direction as to assignment and occasional review.
* Ability to manage and complete multiple high priority projects and activities with strict time sensitive deadlines. Strong organizational skills required to manage staff, vendors and projects in an effective manner.
Working Conditions:
- Hybrid work schedule, in the office/onsite 4 days per, with 1 remote day from home and subject to change per business needs.
Disclaimer : This information describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this job. The description is not designed to be a comprehensive inventory of duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees in the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to qualified disabled individuals for performance of essential duties and responsibilities.
About Southern Company Gas
Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), America’s premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.2 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states and approximately 600,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com .
Southern Company (NYSE: SO ) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy solutions provider with national capabilities, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience and sustainability, we are taking action to meet customers' and communities' needs while advancing our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture has been recognized by a variety of organizations, earning the company awards and recognitions that reflect Our Values and dedication to service. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com .
Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s). A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here https://seo.nlx.org/southernco/pdf/SOCO-Benefits.pdf . Additional and specific details about total compensation and benefits will also be provided during the hiring process.
Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.
Job Identification: 18436
Job Category: Government & Regulatory Affairs
Job Schedule: Full time
Company: Southstar Energy Services
