NERC Compliance Specialist Lead - Principal

Job Posting End Date09-21-2026Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.Job Summary A NERC Compliance Lead ensures that electric utilities, power generators, transmission operators, and related energy organizations comply with mandatory reliability standards established by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). This position will focus primarily on Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards designed to safeguard the grid from cybersecurity threats. The role is critical to preventing system disturbances, maintaining grid stability, and avoiding regulatory violations and penalties.In addition, the NERC Compliance Lead plays a proactive role in identifying, assessing, and mitigating compliance risk by reviewing and researching potential self-reports, facilitating self-assessments and audits, conducting research, and serving as a subject matter resource for operations, engineering, IT, and cybersecurity teams. The role requires staying current on evolving NERC standards, industry guidance, and enforcement trends, participating in standards development and ballot processes when applicable, and translating regulatory requirements into practical, executable actions. Through collaboration, education, and continuous improvement, the Lead helps embed a culture of compliance and accountability while supporting the organization’s broader reliability and risk management objectives.Job DescriptionWhat You'll Do:Perform interpretations: Conduct research utilizing internal and external resources to interpret the NERC standards as applicable to AEP and provide a written analysis. Lead sessions with business unit partners to discuss the results of the research.Oversight reviews: Review all potential violations for reportability determination and to ensure documentation and mitigating activities are accurate, address the root cause, and meet requirements for submittal to the NERC Regional Entities.Contribute to the development and maintenance of Compliance Programs: Assist in creating, updating, and implementing policies, procedures, processes, and controls to meet NERC requirements.Audits and assessments: Support internal audits, spot-checks, self-certifications, and external regulatory audits. Identify gaps, perform root cause analysis for potential violations, and recommend corrective actions.Consultation and training: Provide guidance to business units (operations, engineering, IT, plant staff) on compliance best practices, requirements, and evidence sufficiency. Help communicate regulatory changes.Reporting and metrics: Develop compliance reports, dashboards, or metrics. Track status, monitor tasks in compliance tools, and support submissions to NERC or Regional Entities.Controls Development and Execution: Contribute to the development, execution, and tracking of internal controls to support compliance risk mitigation strategies. Analyze compliance data, identify non-compliance risks, and contribute to continuous improvement of the compliance program.Collaborate: Coordinate cross-departmental efforts, assist with special projects, and support state public utility commission requirements.What We're Looking For:NERC Compliance Specialist Lead | Salary Grade 10Education: Bachelor's degree in engineering (electrical engineering preferred), mathematics, communications, computer science, business, or other related field of study. Advanced degree preferred.Experience: In addition to any experience required above, eight or more years of progressively responsible positions the in electric utility or similarly regulated industry. Experience in NERC compliance or a similar regulatory compliance is preferred. Preferred Experience:Professional Engineer (PE) desirableElectrical Engineering degree preferredCertified Power Systems Engineer (PSE) highly desirableNERC System Operator CertificationCISSP, CISA, or other compliance/security certificationsCRISC or similar risk/compliance certificationsNERC Compliance Specialist Principal | Salary Grade 9Education: Bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics, communications, computer science, business, or other related field of study; or an associate's degree in one of the aforementioned fields of study and two (2) years of relevant work experience;Experience: In addition to any experience required above, seven (7) years of experience in electric utility or similarly regulated industry.Required: Valid driver’s licenseWhat You'll Get:At AEP, we’re more than just an energy company!We’re a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions. Guided by our mission to put the customer first, we strive to exceed expectations by listening, responding, and continuously improving the way we serve our communities. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact and being part of a forward-thinking organization, this is the company for you!#onsiteCompensation DataCompensation Grade:SP20-010Compensation Range:$116,255.00 - $177,503.00The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S – Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met. Hear about it first! Get job alerts by email. Log in to your Candidate Home Account today! If you don't have an account, you can create one.It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all respects of the employer-employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we might record certain information or applicants for employment may be invited to voluntarily disclose protected characteristics.SummaryLocation: Columbus, OHType: Full time