[Hiring] Senior Compliance Assurance Advisor @North American Electric Reliability Corporation

Role Description

NERC seeks a mission-focused individual who wants to make a difference by supporting the reliability of the North American electric grid. The Compliance Assurance Advisor is primarily responsible for providing oversight, guidance, and coordination in managing programs and processes to monitor, review, and evaluate program effectiveness of the ERO Enterprise implementation of risk-based compliance monitoring and adherence to the NERC Rules of Procedure, Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Program, Certification Program, and approved delegation agreements. The Compliance Assurance Advisor also supports the development, implementation, and oversight of the Certification Program for Reliability Coordinators, Balancing Authorities, and Transmission Operators.

Your Role:

• Develop and manage compliance assurance activities, including associated project plans, to develop and implement a high-quality risk-based compliance monitoring and certification program.
• Develop and execute oversight programs/processes/activities to evaluate Regional Entity adherence to the NERC Rules of Procedure, Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Program, and delegation agreements.
• Provide operations subject matter expertise related to risk management, auditing, and internal controls in support of a high-quality risk-based compliance monitoring and certification program.
• Identify, develop, and effectively deliver training and outreach to Regional Entities and industry participants.
• Provide Compliance Assurance department leadership with recommendations to improve the regional compliance oversight program.
• Proactively identify opportunities and assist in the ongoing development and improvement of NERC compliance monitoring and enforcement program policies, procedures, rules, and other activities.
• Develop and manage relationships with NERC committees, subcommittees, working groups, and industry stakeholder groups.
• Execute, control, and proactively manage project schedules, including risk identification, risk mitigation, and change management.
• Report on project status, risks, and achievement of key milestones.
• Collect and analyze data to detect deficient controls and noncompliance with NERC rules and agreements.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university, or equivalent experience.
• At least five years of progressive and successful experience leading operations projects, teams, and/or initiatives in a technically and operationally complex business/organization.
• Experience in identifying training needs, designing, developing, and delivering technical training programs, and evaluating their effectiveness.
• Progressive experience in auditing, internal controls, enterprise risk management, and related governance, risk, and control (GRC) frameworks and standards.
• Advanced project management and analytical experience.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment with minimal direct supervision.
• Competence in interpersonal communications, with the ability to interact diplomatically with people from many levels of industry and government.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including editing and proofreading skills.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office tools including Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated group facilitation skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly.

Requirements

• Knowledge of the NERC Rules of Procedure, NERC Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Program, and NERC Reliability Standards.
• Prior experience in regulatory compliance oversight and enforcement within a recognized industry, government, or government-authorized agency, especially in conducting performance audits or analysis of program effectiveness of government agency operations (e.g., GAO or other federal or state-level equivalent experience).
• At least five years of experience in systems operations and/or planning in the electric sector or utility industry.
• Working knowledge of operations of inverter-based resources (IBRs).
• Advanced knowledge and application of professional auditing standards and principles, such as COSO, GAGAS, and IIA.
• Program design or procedure writing.
• Training Certification (Training development, facilitating, or other).

Other

• A background check will be conducted prior to employment.
• In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.
• This position has been classified as exempt.
• The position may be based remotely but must be able to travel to NERC offices or meeting locations if needed. Reimbursement of travel expenses will be in accordance with the company’s travel and expense reimbursement policies.