Community Affairs Manager

SouthWestern Electric Power Co; Childress (TX); On-site; USD 99,000 - 129,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Job summary

American Electric Power is seeking a seasoned professional to serve as the primary Community and Economic Development contact. The role focuses on building and strengthening relationships with local economic development, government, and community partners across service areas.

Responsibilities include coordinating workforce development, business attraction and retention, and supporting incident management and public policy initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, Business Administration, Engineering, Public Policy Communications, or a related field.
• Master's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Strategically build, maintain and manage key economic development and community contacts and relationships.
• Manage, coordinate and support local economic development activities including community preparedness, workforce development, and business development and retention.
• Manage, coordinate, and facilitate solutions to emerging strategic community and business development issues.
• Provide support to Company's Incident Command System in outages, serving as the primary community and public emergency management contact.
• Serve as the Company's point of contact with local political organizations, support legislative and regulatory initiatives of key importance to Company's business and public policy needs, support community outreach efforts associated with energy delivery projects.
• Manage local level contributions and memberships.
• Maintain strong relationship with Company leadership, energy delivery managers, corporate communication representatives, and regulatory/governmental affairs representatives.

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance, Business Administration, Engineering, Public Policy Communications, or a related field.

Master's degree

Job description

Job Posting End Date 09-11-2026 Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.

Job Summary

Serve as AEP's primary Community and Economic Development contact.

Job Description

What you'll do

Essential Job Functions & Tasks:

• Strategically build, maintain and manage key economic development and community contacts and relationships.
• Manage, coordinate and support local economic development activities including community preparedness, workforce development, and business development and retention.
• Manage, coordinate, and facilitate solutions to emerging strategic community and business development issues.
• Provide support to Company's Incident Command System in outages, serving as the primary community and public emergency management contact.
• Serve as the Company's point of contact with local political organizations, support legislative and regulatory initiatives of key importance to Company's business and public policy needs, support community outreach efforts associated with energy delivery projects.
• Manage local level contributions and memberships.
• Maintain strong relationship with Company leadership, energy delivery managers, corporate communication representatives, and regulatory/governmental affairs representatives.
• May perform other job duties as requested.

What we're looking for

Education requirements

• Bachelor's degree in finance, Business Administration, Engineering, Public Policy Communications, or a related field.
• Master's degree preferred.

Work Experience requirement

• Minimum of five years (5) related experience in Customer Relations, Community Relations, Economic Development, Government Relations, Utility Operations, Account Management, or equivalent experience.
• Utility industry related experience preferred.

Required License(s)/Certification(s)

• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

Other Must Haves

• Physical demand level is Sedentary
• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage projects and solve problems across business units, functional lines, committee and task forces internal and external to the company.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Able to travel to various locations for extended periods and work late into the evenings.
• Demonstrated ability to build strategic internal and external business relationships.
• Must be able to see information on a computer screen and use a computer keyboard
• Must be able to hear spoken words via telephone, cell phone device or during individual or group meetings.

What you’ll get

• Base Salary from $98,993.00-$128,688.00/year.
• In addition to a competitive compensation, AEP offers a unique comprehensive benefits package that aims to support and enhance the overall well-being of our employees.
• At AEP, we’re more than just an energy company - we’re a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions.
• Guided by our mission to put the customer first, we strive to exceed expectations by listening, responding, and continuously improving the way we serve our communities.
• If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact and being part of a forward-thinking organization, this is the company for you!

Compensation Data

• Compensation Grade: SP20-008
• Compensation Range: $98,993.00 - $128,688.00

The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S - Sedentary

Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all respects of the employer-employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we might record certain information or applicants for employment may be invited to voluntarily disclose protected characteristics.

About American Electric Power

At American Electric Power, we provide more than electricity to our millions of customers - we energize possibilities. We're redefining the future of energy by reducing our carbon footprint, empowering the communities we serve and building an engaged, talented workforce. All while delivering the reliable service our customers expect. It’s an exciting time in the energy industry. Are you ready to be part of it? We’re looking for team members to help create the grid of the future. Learn more about our commitment to creating a supportive, inclusive work culture that values different experiences.