Director Major Projects

American Electric Power; New Albany, Northern (OH, KY); Hybrid; USD 189,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base Salary

Annual Bonus

Long Term Incentive

401K

AEP Pension

Benefits Package

Job summary

American Electric Power in New Albany, OH is seeking a seasoned Project Manager to lead multi-billion dollar transmission projects, ensuring safety, schedule adherence, and regulatory compliance. You will coordinate cross-functional teams, contractors, and external partners to deliver high-voltage infrastructure within budget and scope.

The role requires PMP certification, 10+ years of relevant experience, and willingness to travel up to 50%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field.
• 10 years of experience across major construction, project management, and related areas.
• Progressive responsibility and strong leadership skills.
• PMP certification required
• Valid state driver's license
• Willingness to travel up to 50% (may relocate for critical phases)

Responsibilities

• Direct overall project execution across PM functions to complete projects.
• Lead safety program implementation and strive for Zero Harm.
• Report project strategy and needs to Transmission Executive leadership.
• Establish contracting strategy and negotiate EPC and engineering agreements.
• Lead governance with joint venture partners as required.
• Drive integrated schedules and align resources.
• Manage program budget and contingency; meet targets.
• Identify and mitigate project risks and manage change.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Scheduling

Regulatory compliance

Contract negotiations

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (preferred)

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.

What We're Looking For:

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, Project Management, Accounting, Finance, or related field of study dependent on business unit requirements

• Ten (10) years of qualified experience, including work in two or more of the following areas: major construction projects, project management, portfolio management, commissioning, project controls, commercial nuclear power plant, fossil generation, and contract negotiations

• Experience must exhibit progressive levels of responsibility and accomplishment, highly proficient level of business acumen, and demonstrated effective leadership skills

• PMP certification required

• Valid state driver's license

• Flexible to travel as required (typically up to 50%, with potential for extended travel or temporary relocation during critical project phases).

Preferred Experience:

• Master's in Business, Engineering, Project Management, Accounting, Finance, Construction Management, or related field of study dependent on business unit requirements preferred.

• 345–765 kV transmission projects including project management, engineering, or construction oversight

• Underground, HVDC, or submarine work

• Direct Supervision

• Executive communication and report outs

• Contracting/ Commercial Strategy

• Coordination/ Experience with Regional Transmission Organizations– such as PJM, MISO, SPP, or ERCOT, including competitive projects

• Coordination with State Utility Commissions including major State applications

• Significant Environmental applications such as USACE, USFWS, NEPA

• Strategic planning and project risk assessment/mitigation expertise.

• Proven ability to develop employees for success in current and future roles.

• Strong conflict management, active listening, delegation, and decision-making skills.

• Effective at constructively challenging assumptions and differing viewpoints.

• High energy, resilience, and tenacity when navigating complex challenges.

• Committed to continuous improvement, process optimization, and driving organizational excellence.

• Strong questioning mindset with the ability to identify opportunities and implement improvements.

• Experienced working across office, construction, utility, power generation, transmission, distribution, telecom, and nuclear environments.

• Able to safely perform site inspections, including walking uneven terrain, climbing ladders, and maintaining awareness of hazardous conditions.

• Dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of safety, operational effectiveness, and regulatory compliance.

Other Considerations:

• Internal candidate consideration: Two (2) years of experience as a Project Manager Staff, Project Manager Staff Senior, or Director Projects is preferred, or demonstrated competencies, knowledge and skillset through achieved results in a shorter timeline.

Where You'll Work:

• New Albany, OH

What You’ll Get:

• Base Salary

• Annual Bonus

• Long Term Incentive

• 401K

• AEP Pension

• Comprehensive Benefits Package

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

$188,524.00 - $245,080.00

Physical Demands

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

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.

“Knowing that I am part of team that is making the power grid safer and more reliable gives me a real sense of responsibility and enthusiasm for coming to work every day.”

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This position drives the primary field customer relations and communications resource for public interaction and outreach on AEP Transmission projects. Responsible for identifying, developing, and coordinating delivery of overall outreach strategies to support the goals, philosophies, policies, initiatives, and day-to-day activities of AEP Transmission and its affiliates, including joint ventures. Key member of project siting team who interfaces with or supports interaction with external audiences, including individual customers and local officials. Requirements include excellent written and public speaking skills, excellent interpersonal skills, and strong business knowledge. Able to meet with affected or potentially affected customers to surface issues, solve problems, and bring local knowledge and insight to the siting process.

AEP offers generous time off, competitive pay, and educational opportunities to help employees advance their careers.

Our culture is purpose-driven and team-oriented: we combine innovation with a customer-first focus to deliver reliable energy and brighter futures.