Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is about more than power. We’re about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas’ Best Places to work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!

We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.

We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:

• Competitive and transparent pay with bonus opportunities
• Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
• Relocation bonus (if applicable)
• Hybrid working environment for positions that are eligible
• Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a pension (defined benefit plan) fully funded by SPP

PLEASE NOTE: SPP is not able to sponsor employment visas or student-work authorizations (STEM OPT) for this position. Please ensure you are eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship prior to applying.

COMPENSATION INFORMATION
The salary range(s) represents our good faith estimate for the role at this time. While we strive to provide competitive and transparent compensation, there may be circumstances where an offer is above or outside of the listed range. We are open to discussing salary expectations with qualified candidates considering factors such as the candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, experience and geographic location will all be considered during the hiring process.

• Director, Transmission Readiness & Seams Planning – Salary Range: $174, 710 - $231, 450

OVERVIEW

The Director, Transmission Readiness & Seams Planning is responsible for establishing and leading function that bridges Operations and long-term System Planning. This role enhances SPP’s ability to identify, assess, and implement near-term and intermediate-horizon transmission solutions that support reliability, economic value, and strategic objectives during the period before large infrastructure can be constructed.

This position provides strategic leadership for seams coordination, affected system studies, interregional transfer capability evaluations, transmission-to-transmission HVDC integration studies, and other specialized analyses requiring collaboration across Operations, Engineering, Markets, and neighboring RTOs/ISOs.

The Director represents SPP in regional, interregional, and regulatory forums, ensuring SPP’s interests are clearly articulated and well supported and ensures intermediate planning initiatives align with corporate goals.

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

• Establish the vision, scope, and processes for the Transmission Readiness & Seams Planning function.
• Direct staff performing seams studies, affected system coordination, HVDC T-T integration evaluations, and short-term/intermediate-horizon transmission analyses.
• Translate corporate and engineering strategic goals into measurable initiatives with clear accountability.
• Ensure effective communication of team objectives, performance, and study outcomes to leadership, members, stakeholders, and regulators.
• Recruit, develop, and retain a diverse, highly qualified technical staff.
• Direct budgets, resource planning, and cost-effective departmental operations.

TECHNICAL & ANALYTICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct short-term and intermediate-term studies identifying transmission capability, constraints, and operational mitigation strategies.
• Lead seams planning coordination activities including Joint Operating Agreements (JOAs), Coordinated Planning initiatives, and interregional study processes.
• Oversee technical assessments of emerging technologies including FACTS devices, Storage as Transmission Only Assets (SATOAs), HVDC interfaces, T-T projects, Remedial Action Schemes (RAS), Topological Control, Dynamic Line Ratings (DLRs), Transmission vision granularity, and advanced conductor applications.
• Ensure accurate and consistent planning assumptions between Operations and System Planning.
• Provide engineering support for operational risks, seasonal assessments, and evolving system conditions.

POLICY, EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT & ADVOCACY

• Represent SPP in interregional committees, seams negotiations, and technical policy discussions.
• Serve as spokesperson on transmission readiness, seams coordination, and intermediate-planning matters.
• Lead and support high value policy changes for accelerating transmission capabilities.
• Build and maintain relationships with members, regulators, neighboring RTOs, state commissions, and other industry bodies.

COMPLIANCE & GOVERNANCE

• Ensure compliance with the SPP Tariff, Business Practices, NERC Standards, FERC Orders, and applicable policies.
• Ensure SSAE-16, audit, and regulatory documentation requirements are met.
• Maintain awareness of industry developments and regulatory changes affecting transmission readiness.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Economics, Mathematics, Engineering or other related degree

Work Experience Requirements:

• Ten (10) years of Engineering experience or work related industry experience with at least Five (5) of those years in a supervisory position

Other Requirements:

• Advanced knowledge of power systems engineering and economic analyses
• Demonstrated problem solving skills, forward planning capabilities, organizational skills and ability to lead the execution of departmental strategies
• Demonstrated knowledge of transmission planning and operations associated with the bulk power grid and SPP’s specific circumstances
• Specific knowledge of federal and state regulatory policies and procedures
• An understanding of the history and operating requirements of interconnected electric networks
• Practical understanding of the SPP Open Access Transmission Tariff, FERC & NERC governing documents, SPP By-Laws, SPP Criteria and the SPP Committee structure
• Demonstrated effective written and oral communication skills
• Understanding of, compliance with and enforcement of SPP Policies and Procedures

Preferred:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering
• Advanced degree
• Professional Engineer License (PE)

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.