How to apply for Associate Enterprise Project Manager

About Portland General Electric

Portland General Electric (PGE) is Oregon's largest electric utility, uniquely positioned at the forefront of the clean energy transition. With a commitment to combating climate change and achieving a 100% clean energy future by 2040, PGE offers a mission-driven work environment where your contributions directly impact sustainable energy solutions for the region.

About the role

As an Associate Enterprise Project Manager, you will lead and coordinate regulatory proceedings before the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC), managing minor-sized dockets from filing through implementation. This role is impactful because you'll shape energy policy and ensure reliable, affordable, and clean power for Oregonians while navigating complex stakeholder landscapes.

A typical day

A typical day might start with reviewing filings and preparing for a discovery response deadline, followed by a meeting with the regulatory affairs team to discuss settlement strategy. Afternoon could involve updating project schedules in MS Project, coordinating with legal counsel on order implementation, and preparing a status report for stakeholders—all while keeping an eye on upcoming OPUC deadlines.

Who Portland General Electric is looking for

• A detail-oriented professional with 2+ years of project management experience, ideally in a regulatory or utility environment, who thrives on managing multiple dockets and deadlines.
• Someone with strong analytical skills who can develop project plans, budgets, and risk mitigation strategies, and is comfortable using MS Project and Excel for tracking.
• An excellent communicator who can build relationships with diverse stakeholders, including regulators, internal teams, and external partners.
• A proactive problem-solver with a bachelor's degree in business, communications, psychology, computer science, or equivalent, and a valid driver's license; PMP certification is a plus.

Tips for this application

• Tailor your resume to highlight project management experience in regulatory or utility settings—use keywords like 'regulatory proceedings,' 'stakeholder management,' and 'discovery management' from the job description.
• In your cover letter, explicitly mention your familiarity with the Oregon Public Utility Commission or similar regulatory bodies, and how you've managed complex filings or settlements.
• Quantify your achievements: e.g., 'Managed 3 regulatory dockets simultaneously, reducing filing errors by 20%' or 'Led a cross-functional team to implement a new compliance process ahead of schedule.'
• If you have PMP certification, highlight it prominently. If not, consider emphasizing equivalent experience or coursework in project management methodologies.
• Research PGE's current regulatory initiatives (e.g., renewable energy plans, rate cases) and reference them in your application to show genuine interest.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your understanding of the regulatory environment and ability to navigate OPUC proceedings effectively.', 'Your experience in project planning, risk management, and delivering high-quality work products under tight deadlines.', 'Your collaborative approach to stakeholder engagement, including internal teams and external regulators.', "Your alignment with PGE's mission of clean energy and combating climate change, and how your work in this role contributes to that goal."]

Research before applying

• Review PGE's Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and recent rate case filings to understand current regulatory priorities.
• Familiarize yourself with the Oregon Public Utility Commission's structure, key commissioners, and recent decisions affecting PGE.
• Read PGE's sustainability report and clean energy targets to align your responses with the company's mission.
• Look into PGE's project management tools and software (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet) to be prepared to discuss your proficiency.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Describe your experience managing a regulatory filing or docket. What steps did you take to ensure quality and compliance?
• How do you handle competing priorities when managing multiple projects with different deadlines?
• Tell us about a time you successfully managed a stakeholder relationship that was initially challenging.
• What project management methodologies are you familiar with, and how have you applied them in a regulatory context?
• How would you approach developing a risk mitigation plan for a new regulatory docket?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention PGE or the role's regulatory focus—this shows lack of effort.
• Overlooking the requirement for a valid driver's license; ensure you have one and mention it if relevant.
• Failing to demonstrate specific project management experience (e.g., using vague terms like 'coordinated projects' without details on scope, budget, or outcomes).