Transmission Business Relations Specialist

Application Deadline: November 7, 2025

Location: Maple Grove, Minnesota (Eligible for hybrid schedule)

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without restriction. Visa sponsorship is not available.

We are the people we power. As Minnesota’s not-for-profit electric cooperative, our member-owners and their members impact every decision we make. Because their needs are our needs, and their dreams are our dreams.

General summary: 

This position is responsible with cultivating and sustaining robust relationships among GRE, transmission owners, member-owners and customers. The position advocates for GRE’s business interests concerning key transmission issues and is responsible for the negotiation, development, execution, and management of transmission contracts, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements. 

Total Rewards:

A typical starting range for this position is $102,000 - $140,000 + /annually. We offer market competitive base pay and adjust our offer accordingly based upon the value of the candidate’s knowledge, skills and experience. In addition, our Total Rewards strategy focuses on recognizing individual performance and rewarding business results. Our robust Total Rewards package includes exceptional benefits and retirement, a focus on continuous engagement, recognition, personal and professional development, and an emphasis on work-life effectiveness.

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Negotiates and drafts transmission contracts, and contract modifications, that align with GRE’s business objectives.

• Identifies and mitigates risks associated with transmission contracts and inter-utility partnerships by proactively assessing contract language, operational dependencies, and regulatory impacts.

• Maintains visibility into transmission portfolio performance, ensuring that contract terms, cost-sharing arrangements, and contract timelines support GRE’s broader transmission strategy.

• Serves as GRE business representative in multi-utility forums by advocating for the interests of GRE and our member-owners throughout the negotiation and development of agreements for regional transmission projects.

• Manages interactions between GRE departments, transmission owners and customers, regulatory agencies, Midcontinent Independent System Operator (“MISO”), and legal counsel to execute contracts in a timely manner.
• Fosters collaborative relationships with internal GRE departments, member-owners, customers, and external transmission owners to support strategic alignment and effective execution of transmission agreements.
• Regularly meets with other transmission owners to advocate for GRE’s business objectives on key transmission matters associated with the development or management of executed transmission agreements.
• Facilitates the resolution of contested contractual matters by fostering consensus between GRE and other transmission owners.
• Ensures compliance with contract provisions after execution of contracts.
• Compiles data needed to manage contracts, audits transmission facilities, and track investment equalization.
• Leads development, implementation, and compliance of GRE Transmission Division Operating Guidelines that support transmission contracts and the associated business functions amongst GRE departments and member owners.
• Leads compliance with GRE Transmission Interconnection Guidelines by GRE departments and interconnecting utilities.
• Develops and ensures compliance with non-disclosure agreements to which GRE transmission is a party.
• Assists in the development and process improvements to transmission division procedures to manage transmission contracts and transmission interconnections.
• Completes annual reviews and updates to NERC Reliability Standard Audit Worksheets for interconnections to the GRE transmission system.
• Researches and stays current on industry standards, trends, and state and federal regulations applicable to transmission interconnection and transmission service agreements.

Qualifications: Education, skills & abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, legal studies or related degree 
• A minimum of three years of experience in the electric utility industry with contracts, regulatory processes, transmission tariffs, or related experience.
• Additional course work in power systems engineering, business, law, regulatory or finance is desirable. 
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a high level of credibility and develop strong working relationships with co-workers and decision makers. 
• Possess strong written and verbal communication skills, as well as the ability to present complex information in an understandable and persuasive manner. 
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate by collaborating with others to arrive at a conclusion using compromise, persuasion, rationale and diplomacy. 
• Ability to successfully negotiate and resolve issues and disputes with external organizations. 
• Familiarity with technology and operations of interconnected transmission systems. 
• Familiarity with, and ability to read transmission system one-line diagrams. 
• Familiarity with contracts structure, elements, negotiations, and administration.
• Ability to independently plan, organize, prioritize time and workload to accomplish tasks and meet deadlines. 
• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing business circumstances; must be able to thrive in a constantly changing business environment; must be a self-starter and able to manage ambiguity in work.
• Ability to self-motivate, working independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to coordinate assignments and handle multiple complex tasks concurrently. 
• Ability and responsibility to work safely alone and with others while following GRE safety rules, certifications, and procedures.
• Ability and responsibility to ensure security procedures are followed including immediate notification of potential incidents.
• Ensure employees and contractors are aware of and adhere to security processes and procedures. 

Apply: Qualified candidates please apply at www.greatriverenergy.com (under the Careers tab) by November 7, 2025. GRE values diversity, equity and inclusion and we are an equal employment opportunity employer.

About Great River Energy

Powering what’s possible Great River Energy is a not-for-profit electricity provider owned by our 26 distribution cooperatives in Minnesota and Wisconsin for which we generate and transmit electricity. We provide wholesale electric service to our member owners who distribute electricity to approximately 660,000 member consumers - or about 1.7 million people. A diverse mix of generation resources - Our power plants generate more than 2,800 megawatts of electricity and several solar arrays capable of producing 650 kilowatts. In addition, we purchase wind and hydroelectric energy. Your electricity is delivered through power lines to you. Every time you plug in your toaster, television or other electrical device, a system of power lines goes to work to bring you the power you need. Our job at Great River Energy is to keep the lights on by providing a safe & reliable supply of electricity.

Connections working at Great River Energy