Director Government Affairs

American Electric Power; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 160,000 - 209,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

401K match

AEP Pension

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

American Electric Power (AEP) seeks a Director of Government Affairs to lead federal advocacy and strategy in Washington, DC. The role requires significant in-person engagement with Administration officials and federal agencies to advance AEP's business objectives and ensure affordable, reliable power for customers.

The position coordinates with internal leaders and external partners, monitors regulatory developments, and provides strategic counsel on issues affecting operations, customers, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, public relations, communications, business, law, or related disciplines.
• Experience in government affairs or related roles within energy/utility sectors.

Responsibilities

• Represent AEP before federal agencies and Administration officials on legislative, regulatory, and policy matters impacting the company.
• Develop and execute advocacy strategies to advance AEP's federal priorities.
• Conduct direct outreach to executive branch officials and key stakeholders to promote company positions.
• Support and coordinate meetings between AEP executives and federal policymakers.
• Develop and manage relationships with trade associations, coalitions, consultants, and external partners.
• Monitor federal regulatory developments and analyze potential business impacts for internal stakeholders.
• Prepare executive briefings, meeting materials, talking points, and advocacy documents.

Skills

Policy advocacy

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory affairs

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Posting End Date

09-21-2026

Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.

Job Summary

Provides strategic direction and leads change initiatives related to government policy and legislative affairs. Plans, organizes, and directs team activities[to support the Company's legislative and government relations objectives. Consults with and advises Company staff on matters affecting government regulations.

The Director, Government Affairs, will serve as a key representative of American Electric Power (AEP) before federal agencies and the Administration. This externally focused role requires significant in-person engagement, including accompanying business executives to meetings with administrative agencies. The Director will help develop and execute federal advocacy strategies that advance AEP's business objectives and support affordable, reliable power for our customers.

Working closely with internal business leaders and external stakeholders, the Director will build and maintain relationships with Administration officials, federal agencies, industry partners, and trade associations. The Director will monitor federal regulatory developments, provide strategic counsel to Company leadership, and advocate on issues affecting AEP's operations, customers, and long-term growth.

Job Description

What You'll Do:

• Represent AEP before federal agencies and Administration officials on legislative, regulatory, and policy matters impacting the company.
• Develop and execute advocacy strategies to advance AEP's federal priorities.
• Conduct direct outreach to executive branch officials and key stakeholders to promote company positions.
• Support and coordinate meetings between AEP executives and federal policymakers.
• Develop and manage relationships with trade associations, coalitions, consultants, and other external partners.
• Identify opportunities to enhance AEP's visibility and influence among federal decision-makers.
• Support AEP's participation in industry events, conferences, and stakeholder meetings.
• Monitor Administration initiatives, federal agency actions, and rulemakings. Analyze and communicate any potential business impacts of federal actions to internal stakeholders.
• Prepare executive briefings, meeting materials, talking points, legislative summaries, and advocacy documents.
• Maintain awareness of emerging federal political and policy developments that may affect the company.
• Demonstrate the highest standards of ethics, compliance, and professionalism in all activities.
• Maintain compliance with applicable lobbying, ethics, and reporting requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What We're Looking For:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, public relations, communications, business, law, or other related disciplines.

Experience:

• Minimum 8 years' experience in government, corporate government affairs office, community/public affairs, communications, or direct related experience in the industry. Or a minimum 6 years' experience with Congress or in the federal government.

Other Must Haves:

• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Strong understanding of the federal legislative and executive branch decision-making processes.
• Experience within the energy and utility industry sectors and familiarity with energy, environmental, permitting, and infrastructure issues.
• Must have demonstrated building strategic relationships with appropriate contacts to support AEP's policies.
• Master's degree preferred.

Where You'll Work:

• On-Site in the AEP Washington, DC office.

What You'll Get:

• Base salary
• Annual bonus
• Long-term incentive
• 401K match
• AEP Pension
• Comprehensive benefits package that aims to support and enhance the overall well-being of our employees.

Where Putting the Customer First Powers Everything We Do!

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!

#AEPCareers

Compensation Data

Compensation Grade:

SP20-011

Compensation Range:

$160,434.00 - $208,565.50

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.

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.