Compliance Manager (m/w/d)

Job Description

Under general supervision of the Senior Director, Compliance & Project Implementation, the Compliance Manager manages projects, activities and deliverables associated with the compliance of relevant energy markets rules, regulations, and tariffs (e.g., Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) rules and regulations, California Independent System Operator (CAISO) and Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) tariffs and business practice manuals).

Responsible for managing the energy markets compliance training program to ensure training on applicable energy markets, FERC, and applicable corporate programs topics is provided and completed by employees, as well as maintaining related policies and procedures. Provide guidance to business units to ensure compliance with rules, regulations, internal policies and procedures related to energy marketing activities, specifically with respect to power marketing and market scheduling coordinator business. Monitors the relevant energy markets (e.g., CAISO and ERCOT) communications and investigates market transactions, scheduling and/or operations activities, as necessary, to ensure compliance with FERC and energy market rules and regulations. Coordinates with business units throughout the company to communicate and drive completion of cross-functional deliverables, as assigned and necessary.

The role supports the Senior Director in providing assurance to management of compliance by supporting the development, implementation, and maintenance of the company’s program consistent with the corporate ethics strategy and best regulatory compliance practices.

This is a remote-based role with a strong preference for a Southern California based person. The right candidate will be able to build relationships quickly in a remote environment, possess confidence and independent thinking, have a passion for record keeping & compliance and able to chart their course and deliver objectives with minimal supervision.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (Other duties may be assigned as needed)

• Responsible for the day-to-day activities and monitoring of energy markets compliance, which may include but is not limited to:
  • Managing and monitoring the monthly FERC Compliance survey process, including tracking, follow-up, and researching/investigating questions and concerns reported related to FERC, CAISO, ERCOT, or other relevant energy markets. Also includes questions or concerns reported directly or through any of the company’s other mechanisms in the same areas of responsibility as appropriate or requested.
  • Monitor ISO/RTO and market monitor requests and communications; investigates and/or escalates items, as necessary.
  • May include performing research, facilitating data gathering and reviews, and developing initial draft responses for management review (may utilize support of compliance team, business unit personnel, and/or outside counsel/consultants to address).
  • Assist/lead (as requested) the annual review process for the team’s compliance policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure internal timelines are aligned with training schedule and internal deadlines met. May also include assistance reviewing to ensure compliance with various regulatory agencies, such as FERC, relevant ISO/RTOs and public utility commissions, etc. (This responsibility may utilize support of the compliance team and/or outside counsel/consultants depending on topic/task).
  • Develop and maintain documents that demonstrate compliance for policies, procedures, and training (may utilize the support of the compliance team and outside consultants).
  • Working with other designated functions, as appropriate, to conduct internal investigations of potential compliance matters and track completion/implementation of corrective action(s). May need to facilitate completion of corrective actions from time to time to drive closure of compliance risks, as needed/assigned.
  • Support recordkeeping processes and procedures to ensure retention of documents required for compliance needs.
• Energy Markets and Corporate Compliance Training:
  • Manage implementation and tracking of training program for energy markets compliance, which includes annual/refresher programs, ad hoc training for time-sensitive/ongoing education (e.g., relevant enforcement orders training), etc. Associated tasks include:
  • Administrative tasks for tracking and reporting employee training obligations
  • Scheduling and Facilitating live/in-person sessions
  • Ensuring setup and assignments in learning management system (as applicable).
  • Assess training needs of relevant employees on compliance issues and propose changes/additions to employee training requirements as necessary.
  • Develops and manages the rollout of compliance training materials, (and as requested, applicable corporate programs). (may utilize support of outside consultants/counsel as appropriate.)
  • Design and implement training program for annual/refresher education on compliance issues (may be accomplished with support of outside consultants).
• Market Participation Monitoring:
  • Investigates and monitors issues and market transactions across the organization to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and rules; reviews any issues with relevant personnel and/or managers and escalates, as necessary.
  • Works with outside advisors to ensure that market participation activities comply with regulations and rules set by FERC, the relevant ISOs/RTOs, and other various external regulatory agencies, which should include a proactive role in the verification, tracking and reporting of market participation compliance concerns to the compliance committee.
• Interface with regulatory agencies:
  • Prepare annual compliance reports for FERC (and other regulatory agencies as requested), as well as manage the data gathering and records maintenance.
  • Supports Senior Director, Compliance & Project Implementation in responding to external inquiries and requests, managing audits, managing reviews of policies and procedures and submission of all required documents.
  • Supports the preparation of compliance audit materials as necessary to demonstrate compliance for all reviews and audits. May prepare, review, and/or complete other compliance reports as necessary.
  • Responds to ad hoc queries from management and assists with special projects as assigned.
  • As assigned, support implementation and management of applicable corporate programs and functions (as requested), which may include maintenance of the internal employee website, providing employee guidance on processes and/or requirements, etc.
• Individual must be able to perform all of the duties and responsibilities listed in a fully competent manner to be considered successful in the job.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE

• Have a bachelor’s degree and/or master’s in business, business law, or related field from an accredited university. May substitute equivalent industry experience where relevant.
• Have at least 5 or more years of related experience (FERC/CAISO experience required; energy markets compliance strongly preferred).
• Strong understanding of electric industry with emphasis on energy marketing and scheduling strongly preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of state and federal regulatory requirements governing energy markets and scheduling activities, and FERC-regulated wholesale markets a plus.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the following strongly preferred:
  • The western energy market and products and how organized markets function.
  • Various regional market fundamentals, market participants, trading and scheduling practices.
  • Regulatory/compliance analysis related to market participation and scheduling coordinator activities, particularly in the CAISO market.
  • Working knowledge of CAISO market, CPUC state regulatory processes, FERC, and other applicable regulatory entities.
  • Familiarity with CAISO market rules pertaining to BESS Hybrids a plus
• Demonstrated experience managing compliance functions (e.g., development and implementation of policies and procedures, training, monitoring, investigations, etc.) required.
• Experience managing consultants for co-op or consulting projects strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated skills such as project management, and leading cross functional and multi-participant projects/initiatives a plus.
• Experience with the FERC’s Office of Enforcement and their views on market manipulation and market behavior concerns a plus.
• Ability to simultaneously complete multiple projects while managing tight deadlines.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, short-decision timeframe environment with the ability to concentrate while in the midst of distractions.
• Excellent decision making, presentation and organizational skills.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Forms, etc.), intermediate to advanced Excel proficiency required (e.g., pivot tables, formulas, etc.). Experience with Microsoft Power Automate and/or macros desired.
• Experience with industry tools and technologies
• Ability to define and set priorities, follow through and respond to changes with minimal supervision.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

• Demonstrated ability to present facts and recommendations effectively in oral and written form.
• Effective interpersonal communication skills, oral and written, with ability to work as a team member/leader with a variety of individuals and personalities both internal and external to the organization, as well as from differing backgrounds and experience levels.
• Ability to deliver engaging training program.

REASONING ABILITY & DECISION-MAKING SKILLS

• Independent working - must be self-sufficient, self-motivated and able to work under pressure of deadlines.
• Ability to problem-solve, think critically, and make sound, firm recommendations.
• Strong analytical skills and logical thought processes, with the ability to identify and resolve complex and sensitive regulatory issues.
• Passionate to work in energy regulatory and compliance fields. Desire to expand their knowledge and experience in the Renewables sector a plus.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Sedentary work. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Repetitive motion. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading.

Must be able to travel to San Diego office and California work sites regularly.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Ability to travel to San Diego office as often as weekly (or at minimum, monthly). Regular travel to California work sites as needed.

Position adaptable to hybrid work from office and remote.