The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) represents over 300 electrical equipment and medical imaging manufacturers that make safe, reliable, and efficient products and systems. Together, our members contribute 1% of U.S. GDP and directly provide nearly 460,000 American jobs, contributing more than $250 billion to the U.S. economy. NEMA serves its members by living our core values in every aspect of our work: respect, integrity, teamwork, and leadership. 

The Program Manager, Grid Sector directs the standards development process for modern grid technologies. The Program Manager leads member companies in developing and executing a technical strategy and work plan to align activities with Sector- and industry-wide priorities and technology trends. The Program Manager is expected to contribute to the development of NEMA-wide strategic documents (i.e., Technology Roadmap, International Strategy, Code Strategy, Standards Publication Plan), manage multiple technical Sections, engage directly with members and partner organizations, and deliver tangible results for member companies. Work encompasses both domestic and international technical activities.

The position reports to the Managing Technical Director, Grid and Mobility Sectors. NEMA delivers value to members using a matrixed, multi-faceted model, supported, and facilitated by the Program Manager, and the position requires close coordination across NEMA Departments. The position is eligible for a partially remote work schedule, but may include up to 30 percent time on travel, including both domestic and international.

Key Responsibilities

1. Develop and maintain manufacturing and performance standards and other technical work related to electric grid products and systems and other technologies as assigned
   • Direct creation, review, revision, maintenance, and withdrawal of technical documents, including standards
   • Develop a strategy and work plan that delivers business-relevant technical documents, including standards
   • Surveil/monitor the U.S./international standards environment/industry trends, systematically researching standards gaps to fill
   • Leverage digital tools to develop standards quickly and efficiently; share best practices with other NEMA staff
   • Work with NEMA Public Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, Membership Services, and Growth Departments, as well as members, to promote and drive adoption of existing and new technical documents, including standards 
2. Lead NEMA Technical Committees, Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs), and other technical work as assigned
   • Develop annual/situational technical work plans and achieve assigned goals
   • Understand and exploit via new technical work relationships between and among devices and different types of networks (IT, Communications, etc.) 
   • Plan and manage meetings, prepare minutes, and distribute associated documents according to NEMA best practices
   • Drive and be accountable for committee and team outcomes
   • Develop and execute annual plans and remain at or under budget 
3. Build effective and persistent personal lines of communication with NEMA member companies, technical committee participants, and key partners and participants in non-NEMA standards activities

• Communicate the value of NEMA technical activities to members and non-member participants
• Engage with partner organizations and work via coalitions to achieve shared goals and objectives
• Contribute to the identification and recruitment of new members that strategically and/or technically strengthen NEMA
  

Competencies and Attributes:

• Exceptional understanding of grid technologies and technical trends.
• Strong technical skills and attention to detail; understanding of domestic and international standards development processes desired
• Excellent communication, relationship management, and conflict resolution abilities.
• Ability to thrive in a matrixed environment and embody NEMA's core values: respect, integrity, teamwork, leadership.
• Commitment to advancing NEMA's mission and values.
• Creative, with a learning mindset and the ability to adapt to evolving industry landscapes.
  

Experience and Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree required; engineering or related field preferred, advanced technical degree a plus
• 5–7 years full-time experience in related field(s)
• Deep knowledge of existing and emerging grid technologies including electric grid communications desired
• Experience of technical standards development process highly desired; AStd or CStd Standards professional certification a differentiator
• Demonstrated results-oriented team leadership
• Excellent program management abilities including strong planning, time management, and budgeting skills
• Ability to clearly and persuasively write and speak with executive presence
• Ability to resolve conflicts quickly, fairly, and diplomatically
• Motivated to seek new challenges with a creative and learning mindset
  

NEMA offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits package including paid holidays and personal time, flexible working hours, 401(k) plan, health/dental insurance, and partial pre-tax parking/Metro subsidy.

EOE/M/F/V/D.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) represents over 300 electrical equipment and medical imaging manufacturers that make safe, reliable, and efficient products and systems serving major markets including the Grid, Mobility, the Built Environment, and Industrial Core. NEMA crafts and executes advocacy campaigns and provides analytical products to assist member companies with business decisions. NEMA serves its members by living our core values in every aspect of our work: respect, integrity, teamwork, and leadership.

The Managing Director of Regulatory and Industry Affairs, The Grid leads NEMA’s regulatory agency engagement and issue management relative to NEMA members with products and integrated technologies for the grid, including transmission equipment, energy storage, distributed energy resources, and renewable energy generation. The Managing Director engages with agency officials at the Department of Energy (DOE), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Public Utility Commissions (PUCs) and other relevant federal and state agencies on rulemakings and other programs of interest to NEMA members. The Managing Director leads teams of members to develop positions and strategies that advance member interests. The Managing Director also works with NEMA members to develop strategies to advance NEMA members interests in the grid space, by bringing to bear other NEMA competencies such as federal and state legislative affairs, internal and external communications, standards development, and market insights.

The position reports to the Senior Vice President, Regulatory and Legal Affairs. NEMA delivers values to members using a matrixed, multi-faceted model, supported, and facilitated by the Managing Director. The position is located in Arlington, Virginia, allows for a hybrid work schedule, and may include up to 30 percent time on travel, including both domestic and international.

Key Responsibilities

1. Oversees NEMA’s engagement with regulatory agencies of jurisdiction in the grid, including DOE, EPA, FERC, PUCs, and relevant state agencies, among others. Maintains constructive working relationships with senior officials within relevant agencies. Develops regulatory comments, inputs, and engagement strategies. Oversees activities within member committees and teams on relevant regulatory engagements.
   
2. Leadership of matrix staff team with NEMA Technical and Public Affairs Departments to develop strategy and advance NEMA’s policy positions and desired regulatory outcomes, leveraging full scope of NEMA’s capabilities and demonstrating value to members.
3. Oversees member leadership committee dedicated to the grid to develop and implement NEMA’s strategy for activities across the sector. Coordinates efforts across NEMA functions to ensure alignment of activities in support of the sector strategy.
   
4. Serves as subject matter expert and spokesperson on the grid and products for internal and external audiences. Builds NEMA reputation, capabilities, services, and value for NEMA members with grid applications.
   
5. Acts as membership growth catalyst. Coordinates with the NEMA Membership Department to provide excellent customer service to retain existing members, while seeking opportunities for to grow NEMA’s membership and the industry’s profile in the grid.
   
6. Regulatory agency engagement on programs and rulemaking. Develops constructive, respectful, and effective relationships with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, both domestic and international, to deliver value-add strategies.
7. Serves as subject matter expert on sector issues and priorities based on depth and breadth of experience. Communicator and evangelist of NEMA value to constituents. Trusted NEMA spokesperson with an ability to provide press interviews, thought leadership pieces, present at conferences and events, and serve on external committees to advance NEMA objectives. Cultivates relationships with coalition partners, regulators, NGO’s, key allies, member companies.

Competencies and Attributes

• Excellent market and industry knowledge
• Exemplary communications and relationship management skills
• Issue and member leadership track record
• Ability to thrive in a matrix environment, while modeling NEMA's core values: respect, integrity, teamwork, leadership
• Persuasive written and oral skills
• Executive presence
• Diplomacy and effective conflict management capabilities
• Creativity and learning mindset
• Deep knowledge of existing and emerging grid technologies/systems desired
• Past experience analyzing, influencing, implementing, or adapting regulatory issues affecting grid technologies preferred

   

  Experience and Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree required, advanced technical or business degree a plus
• Ten or more years full-time experience in related field(s)

NEMA offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits package including paid holidays and personal time, flexible working hours, 401(k) plan, health/dental insurance, and partial pre-tax parking/Metro subsidy.

Interested individuals should apply directly to NEMA at: NEMA Careers