Community Affairs Manager

aep; Childress (TX); On-site; USD 99,000 - 129,000; Full time

Job summary

American Electric Power is seeking a dedicated Community and Economic Development liaison to build and manage local relationships, coordinate workforce and business development, and support energy delivery projects.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree, 5+ years in related fields, a valid driver's license, and willingness to travel and work late hours; salary ranges from $98,993 to $128,688 per year with a full benefits package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business administration, engineering, public policy, communications, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Strategically build, maintain and manage key economic development and community contacts and relationships.
• Coordinate and support local economic development activities including workforce development and business development/retention.
• Facilitate solutions to emerging strategic community and business development issues.
• Support Company Incident Command System during outages as primary community/public contact.
• Serve as a liaison with local political organizations; support regulatory and public policy initiatives.

Skills

Project management

Communication skills

Relationship building

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree (listed fields)

Master's degree preferred

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:

• 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 are listed below:

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

Work Experience requirement listed below:

• 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) are listed below:

• 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.

Physical Demand Level:

Physical demand level is Sedentary.

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.

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.

Compensation Data

Compensation Grade: SP20-008

Compensation Range: $98,993.00 - $128,688.00

Equal Employment Opportunity

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 pro