Manager Real Estate Projects - Transmission Engineering

FirstEnergy

FirstEnergy at a Glance

We are a forward-thinking electric utility powered by a diverse team of employees committed to making customers’ lives brighter, the environment better and our communities stronger.

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of 3,780 megawatts.

About the Opportunity

This is an open position with FirstEnergy Service Co., a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. [SC00]

This position can be located in Akron, Reading or Greensburg.

Summary

The Manager, Real Estate is accountable for leading all Right‑of‑Way and Real Estate functions required to support transmission and distribution infrastructure projects. This role oversees the acquisition and management of fee property, rights‑of‑way, railroad and governmental easements, licenses, leases, and rights of entry necessary to meet project and business objectives. The Manager provides strategic direction, ensures compliance with policies and regulatory requirements, and oversees the performance of both internal staff and contracted resources to deliver timely, cost‑effective, and compliant real estate solutions.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the Real Estate Project team supporting transmission and portfolio projects.

• Develop, implement, and support departmental priorities, business plans, and portfolio strategies aligned with company objectives.

• Evaluate work requests, schedules, constraints, and resource capabilities to effectively assign and direct resources.

• Collaborate with Engineering, Project Management, Environmental, Portfolio Management, External Affairs, Legal, and other internal stakeholders to ensure project success.

• Procure real estate interests and rights‑of‑way required to support project needs, working closely with project managers and engineers.

• Review, analyze, and negotiate real estate and legal documents, including option and purchase agreements, deeds, easements, leases, and license agreements.

• Provide high‑level real estate guidance on project‑specific issues, including route adjustments, easement modifications, and approval recommendations.

• Advise internal stakeholders and provide support to the Legal Department on real estate matters, including damage claims related to transmission construction.

• Present expert testimony and real estate expertise before federal, state, and local agencies, and participate in public meetings and presentations as required.

• Ensure compliance with company policies, practices, procedures, and legal requirements.

• Lead and implement continuous process improvements, including integration of real estate activities throughout the full project lifecycle.

• Manage and approve real estate process improvements, reporting requirements, and deliverables for the Energizing the Future (ETF) program.

• Approve payments related to real estate acquisitions, rights‑of‑way, railroad agreements, and governmental permits.

• Establish consistent business and legal management review protocols across the department.

• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, open communication, and urgency in meeting milestones and performance expectations.

• Engage and mentor employees by providing ongoing coaching, feedback, and professional development support.

• Promote and actively participate in FirstEnergy’s Safety Philosophy, ensuring safe work practices are followed.

Qualifications include

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required; advanced degree preferred.

• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience

• Strong negotiation, conflict resolution, and relationship‑management skills.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across all organizational levels.

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport with internal and external stakeholders and work effectively in a team environment.

• Ability to analyze and interpret legal documents, contracts, laws, and regulations; able to provide guidance and recommendations while engaging Legal support as appropriate.

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Benefits, Compensation & Workforce Diversity

At FirstEnergy, employees are key to our success. We depend on their talents to meet the challenges of our changing business environment. We are committed to rewarding individual and team efforts through our total rewards philosophy which includes competitive pay plus incentive compensation, a company-sponsored pension plan, 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution, a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs, as well as skills development training with tuition reimbursement. Please visit our website at to learn more about all of our employee rewards programs. FirstEnergy proudly supports workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. No recruiters or agencies without a previously signed contract. Unable to sponsor or transfer H-1B visas at this time.

Safety

Safety is a core value for FirstEnergy and is essential to all of our business activities. We ensure employees have the tools, information, and processes to perform their duties in a manner that assures safety for themselves, their co-workers, our customers and the public. Our goals are to provide a safe work environment, to maintain an accident-free, injury-free workplace, and to promote and maintain public safety. To meet these goals, we dedicate ourselves to achieving world-class safety standards.

Position Classification

Exempt

FirstEnergy Human Resources Team