OT Systems and Compliance Manager
JOB SUMMARY
This position provides leadership and management for TO’s Operational Technology (OT) Systems and Compliance team. The team delivers infrastructure services for OT systems and applications that support Power Delivery and Gas operations across Southern Company affiliates. In partnership with affiliate OT organizations, this role is responsible for guiding the design, implementation, management, and support of high-availability infrastructure solutions that enable resilient, complaint, and effective business operations.
The department also maintains responsibility for compliance obligations related to the infrastructure it manages, including NERC CIP, TSA-SD2, and FERC Separation Protocol requirements.
The systems infrastructure managed by the department includes but is not limited to the following:
- Windows Servers and Active Directory Domain Infrastructure
- Linux Servers
- Storage Systems
- Virtual Server Infrastructure
- Web Proxy Servers
- Citrix Remote Access
This position will be responsible for advancing the organization toward a vision that includes the following:
- Trust, credibility and strong professional relationships that define our partnership with OT business partners and Operations Compliance.
- Identify and implement optimizations with existing processes and tools for compliance and systems management.
- Engagement in providing input on the development of future Compliance standards at a company and industry level and ensuring that Infrastructure Services is prepared for compliance with any new standards well in advance of the required compliance date.
- Developing the skillsets and components for managing the infrastructure so that the OT Systems and Compliance team becomes increasingly self-sufficient.
The OT Systems and Compliance leader reports to the Manager of TO Specialized Infrastructure and is responsible for approximately 10 IT professionals primarily located in Atlanta and Birmingham.
Job Requirements
- Business Partner Collaboration – Build and maintain strong partnerships with OT business partners across Southern Company affiliates to understand infrastructure needs, deliver effective services, and support compliance requirements for TO-managed assets.
- Technology Organization Collaboration – Partner closely with TO leaders, including OT Networks, Computing Services, Electric Technology Services -Power Delivery portfolio and Cybersecurity, to align infrastructure processes, technologies, and resources with current and future business needs.
- Compliance Collaboration – Engage actively with Operations Compliance and TO Risk & Compliance to support applicable compliance programs and ensure infrastructure-related obligations are managed effectively.
+ Identify opportunities to optimize and automate compliance processes, ensuring procedures and controls remain complete, auditable, and sustainable.
- Operational Excellence – Drive continuous improvement through disciplined operations, innovative practices, and effective management of organizational responsibilities.
- Strategic Thinking – Apply broad, forward-looking leadership to address complex opportunities and challenges while serving as a strategic partner and business enabler.
- Student of the Business – Demonstrate a strong understanding of the business, technology landscape, and compliance environment while anticipating future needs and industry shifts.
- People Leadership – Attract, develop and retain a highly qualified, engaged, and diverse team capable of meeting current and future business needs.
Education
- Degree strongly preferred; BS/BA in Computer Science, Engineering or a related field. Associates degree with years of experience to be considered.
Experience and Knowledge
- Prior management or supervisory experience is strongly preferred; demonstrated experience successfully leading teams is required.
- Strong knowledge of information technology and complex technology environments, with experience in one or more of the following areas: servers, server virtualization, storage, application integration, or cybersecurity.
- Solid understanding of NERC CIP, TSA-SD2C, and FERC Separation Protocol requirements and their corresponding Southern Company work guides and practices.
Skills
- Regulatory Compliance Leadership – ability to own compliance for infrastructure supporting NERC CIP, TSA-SD2C, and FERC Separation Protocol requirements. The manager must understand compliance obligations, audits, evidence collection, controls, and continuous improvement of compliance processes.
- OT Infrastructure Expertise – demonstrated ability to lead strategy, risk mitigation and deliver high availability to OT infrastructures critical to energy delivery systems in the following domains:
+ Windows and Linux servers
+ Active Directory
+ Virtualization platforms
+ Storage and backup systems
+ Remote access platforms
+ Purdue modeling network segmentation is helpful
- Business Partner Relationship Management – demonstrated ability in building trust, credibility, and strong relationships with Power Delivery, GAS, Operations Compliance, and other OT stakeholders. Success depends heavily on influencing without authority and maintaining strong partnerships.
- Operational Excellence and Reliability - OT systems support critical business operations thus requiring a leader to drive:
+ High system availability
+ Incident management
+ Change management discipline
+ Lifecycle planning
+ Monitoring and remediation practices
+ The job specifically calls for developing team skills and capabilities, so the team becomes increasingly self-sufficient. Creating bench strength, growing technical expertise, delegating responsibilities, and developing future leaders are key leadership expectations.
- Process Improvement and Automation
+ Ability to continuously find ways to improve efficiency while maintaining audit readiness and operational control.
This position falls under the company’s Insider Threat Program and will have access to, and control over sensitive data, systems or assets. Enhanced personnel screening, which includes a background review, drug screen and psychological assessment, will be required if you are selected for this position
About Southern Company
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: 21343
Job Category: Information Technology
Job Schedule: Full time
Company: Southern Company Services
