Senior Compliance Assurance Advisor

Our Company

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) is a not-for-profit international regulatory authority whose mission is to assure the effective and efficient reduction of risks to the reliability and security of the grid. NERC develops and enforces Reliability Standards; annually assesses seasonal and long‐term reliability; monitors the bulk power system through system awareness; and educates, trains, and certifies industry personnel. NERC’s area of responsibility spans the continental United States, Canada, and the northern portion of Baja California, Mexico. NERC is the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) for North America, subject to oversight by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and provincial authorities in Canada. NERC’s jurisdiction includes users, owners, and operators of the bulk power system, which serves nearly 400 million people.

Our Mission

The vision for the ERO Enterprise, which is comprised of NERC and the six Regional Entities, is a highly reliable and secure North American bulk power system. Our mission is to assure the effective and efficient reduction of risks to the reliability and security of the grid.

Your Impact

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.

In addition, the Compliance Assurance Advisor develops and delivers outreach and training related to risk-based compliance monitoring, certification, and compliance guidance implementation. This position reports to the Manager, Compliance Assurance.

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

The successful candidate will have at a minimum:

• 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.

Preferred candidates will also have:

• 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.

Our Culture Declarations

• Everyone at NERC is a leader.
• We are accountable personally and organizationally to deliver on commitments.
• We develop ourselves and people in the organization to ensure that NERC realizes its strategic objectives.
• We are resilient and adaptable to the challenges and needs of the business and our team.
• We exude a growth mindset and empower teams to take risks.
• We build collaborative relationships within NERC, the ERO, and the stakeholders of NERC.
• We exemplify NERC cultural behaviors:
  • Reward high-quality, creative, and innovative work
  • Attract, engage, and retain top talent
  • Value and respect diverse perspectives
  • Provide a safe, inclusive, and collaborative work environment
  • Form strong relationships within the company, and with the ERO Enterprise

• We demonstrate curiosity in a wide variety of areas and are open to exploring new situations, knowledge, and opportunities for growth and development.
• We demonstrate an anticipatory mindset, preventing problems and building contingencies where appropriate.
• We are champions for diversity and inclusion, seeking out and values diverse perspectives.
• We value well-being, prioritizing collaboration, engagement, and connection among our team.