Director Major Projects

aep; New Albany (OH); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

American Electric Power is seeking a senior project leader to drive large-scale transmission initiatives from initiation through successful delivery. You will coordinate cross-functional teams, ensure safety, manage regulatory filings, and align with JV partners as needed.

The role requires directing project strategy, budget oversight, and contractor management to meet schedule and investment targets while maintaining strong customer and regulator relationships.

Qualifications

• Experience leading large, complex transmission projects.
• Knowledge of federal and industry regulations.
• Ability to report to executives with project metrics.
• Strong contract and commercial negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Direct project execution across multiple workstreams.
• Oversee safety program and Zero Harm initiatives.
• Report project strategy and team needs to executive leadership.
• Negotiate EPC and engineering contracts and manage stakeholders.

Skills

Project management

Safety program

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

Contract negotiations

Tools

Primavera P6

MS Project

Job description

Job Summary

Responsible for leading and delivering large, complex transmission projects with budgets ranging from $1 billion to $10 billion. Serves as the single point of accountability for project safety, schedule, cost, regulatory compliance, commercial performance, stakeholder alignment, and overall execution. Oversees cross-functional teams, contractors, and third-party partners to ensure successful delivery of high-voltage transmission infrastructure projects. Provides executive-level reporting, drives project strategy and decision-making, ensures compliance with federal and industry regulations, and builds strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to achieve project goals and customer satisfaction.

Job Description

What You'll Do:

• Own overall project execution including directing, guiding, and overseeing project management functions to successfully complete assigned project.
• Implement and oversee project safety program, monitor performance and address issues as they arise in an effort to achieve Zero Harm.
• Responsible for reporting on project strategy and team needs to Transmission Executive leadership. Report to include solutions for siting, regulatory, procurement, engineering, construction and budgetary requirements.
• Responsible for establishing project commercial contracting strategy and negotiate project contractor, EPC, and engineering agreements.
• Leads executive governance with JV partners as required.
• Drives integrated schedule across all workstreams and directs alignment with resource management.
• Maintains oversite of program budget and contingency. Manages project execution to meet budgetary targets.
• Identifies and manages executive risk register. Develops solutions to mitigate and minimize exposure to project risks.
• Leads project change management. Resolves disputes before need of escalation.
• Builds and mentor a trusting and cohesive project leadership team resulting in an effective and highly productive team.
• Manages stakeholder relationships by interfacing with utilities, RTOs, regulators, landowners, and contractors.
• Ensures readiness for regulatory filings measured by successful project hearings resulting in approval and grant of Certificate of Convenience and Necessity.
• Manage all staffing aspects including employees, staff augmentation, and consultants/vendor management.
• Manages construction and delivers project safely, on schedule, and within approved investment.
• Have an understanding and experience with technical solutions related to specifics of the project work to drive team to solutions.

Accountable For:

• Reporting: Oversee and report out on project metrics including safety, capital investment, schedule and all requested performance metrics to the sponsoring organization, business unit, Operating Company Leadership or JV partnership.
• Safety : Support, monitor, and reinforce contractor and employee safety performance through safety program implementation and recognition of any improved process, procedure and performance measurement that demonstrates a commitment to Zero Harm.
• Capital Investment: Development of a risk adjusted multi-year capital plan for major project. Oversee project's short- and long-range total budget and forecast to ensure accurate development of estimated cash flow. This may include supporting Treasury and Transmission Finance functions for project financing with various banking firms. Implement effective change management while gaining stakeholder acceptance. Develop, evaluate, and execute scenarios to accommodate increased or reduced project targets.
• Regulatory Requirements: Achieve all regulatory approvals needed for the project. Actively participate as needed as a subject matter expert on regulatory filings, providing project justification and analysis.
• Culture: Foster a strong, positive team culture. Mentor and provide development opportunities of project staff through job assignments, training programs, rotation, and personal development plans.
• Team Performance: Support and hold project team members accountable in their responsibilities. Administer the company's performance management review program ensuring alignment with organization's goals and values.
• Stakeholder Relationships: Build and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders to achieve project goals while obtaining complete customer satisfaction.
• Contracts: Guide the development of contracts aligned with project execution strategy. Direct and provide guidance in the management of contracts and contractors. Resolve all issues both technical and commercial in a timely manner or
• Compliance: Monitor project compliance with the established project policies and standards. If applicable, support the development and governance of applicable Operating Agreements, Service Agreements, Administrative Agreements, or other applicable joint