Manager Real Estate Projects - Transmission Engineering

Manager, Real Estate

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. 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.