Director, Major Projects | NEW GENERATION (Construction Utility Projects)

AEP; Lawton (OK); On-site; USD 189,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

American Electric Power (AEP) in Lawton, OK is seeking a Director of Major Projects to lead multi-component, high-budget generation initiatives. You will own project delivery, safety, schedule, and budget, coordinating with EPCs, contractors, and internal stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes.

The role requires PMP certification, 10+ years in major construction or generation projects, and proven leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field required; PMP certification preferred.
• 10+ years in major construction/projects management, portfolio management, or equivalent.
• PMP certification required.
• Valid state driver's license required.

Responsibilities

• Lead overall project execution across multiple workstreams and ensure safety, schedule, and budget.
• Oversee regulatory filings and compliance with applicable standards (NERC/FERC/RTO).
• Negotiate contracts and manage EPC and engineering agreements.
• Direct and mentor project leadership teams and maintain stakeholder relationships.

Skills

Leadership

Risk management

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder communication

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management / Engineering / Business / Project Management / Accounting / Finance

PMP certification

Valid state driver's license

Job description

Director, Major Projects | NEW GENERATION (Construction Utility Projects)

Location: Lawton, OK

Category : Project Management/Controls

Job Summary

The Major Project Director role will develop, direct, guide, and execute all project management functions for a major generation project that has a range of complexities resulting from multiple project components and generally has total budgets more than $1 billion.
The position will serve as the single accountable leader responsible for safety, schedule, cost, commercial performance, stakeholder alignment, execution and project delivery.
Depending on the project execution strategy and the project execution plan, the Major Project Director may provide oversight of EPC contractors or third-party contract resources providing services such as engineering or other project needs.
Role will provide effective leadership to a project team that is assembled and developed to ensure all projects components are initiated, planned, executed, monitored & controlled, and closed out. This role will build relationships and effectively communicate with all project stakeholders including internal and external customers, suppliers, contractors, vendors, and industry peers to achieve project goals and obtain customer satisfaction.
During project execution, the Major Projects Director will be required to be on location of the project being overseen for the duration.

Job Description

What you'll do:

• $1B–$10B capital budget
• Multiple concurrent generation project components; or projects with specialized technical generation scopes.
• Successful delivery of the project within all local, state or federal regulatory requirements
• Compliant to all measures of NERC, FERC, RTO or utility commissions
• Accountable for all aspects of project responsibilities including functional leaders reporting directly to the Major Project Director and all team members assigned to these projects.
• 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 Generation 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.
• 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.

Accountabilities:

• 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.
• 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 Generation 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 escalated, as necessary.
• 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 venture agreements necessary to operate the business. Maintain documentation.

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 with.
• 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.

Other Considerations:

• Internal candidate consideration: Two (2) years of experience as a PROJECT MANAGER STAFF, PROJECT MANAGER STAFF SR, OR DIRECTOR PROJECTS is preferred, or demonstrated competencies, knowledge and skillset through achieved results in a shorter timeline.

Preferred experiences include:

• Master's in Business, Engineering, Project Management, Accounting, Finance, Construction Management, or related field of study dependent on business unit requirements preferred.
• Generation projects including project management, engineering, or construction oversight
• Utility generation projects
• Heavy industrial construction projects
• EPC contract execution models to build new generation
• Generation Interconnection Agreements
• Air Permits through Federal and State
• Coordination with Federal, State, and Local Agencies to obtain environmental and non‑environmental permits to construct new power plants
• Direct Supervision overseeing performance plans, expense reports, etc.
• Executive communication and report outs
• Contracting/ Commercial Strategy
• Coordination/ Experience with Regional Generation 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

Other Capabilities:

• Proven strength in strategic thinking and planning.
• Proven strength in project risk assessment and mitigation strategies.
• Demonstrated strength in developing individuals in their current role as well as the next one.
• Highly developed conflict management, effective listening, delegation, and decision‑making skillsets.
• Ability to challenge differing opinions in a very effective manner.
• High‑energy and tenacity in facing difficulty and challenges.
• Work hours and travel as required to successfully accomplish assignments. Greater travel may be required in support of specific assignments.
• During phases of project execution, the Major Projects Director will be required to be on location of the project being overseen for the duration.
• Safely and effectively Perform light physical duties. Duties can involve construction site walkdown on unstable surfaces, climbing ladders, and awareness of hazardous site conditions.
• Promote continuous improvement and maintain a strong questioning attitude. Ask intrusive questions and challenge assumptions. Own, develop and/or improve guidelines, procedures, and processes to achieve organizational goals and objectives for continuous improvement.
• Perform work at various AEP locations in varying conditions. Work sites will include office, power plants (including nuclear), and construction sites for Distribution, Transmission, Generation, and Telecom infrastructure. Work performed at nuclear power sites may involve work in hazardous areas and possible radiation exposure within the limits prescribed by the NRC.
• Special skills directly related to the area of the assigned project may be required, as necessary.
• Ability to write clear, concise reports and ability to make presentations to senior management.
• Understand and support the policies, values, principles, structure, and behavior of AEP, especially the AEP Ways of Working.

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!

AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER (on‑site)

$189K - $245K / Year

#AEPCareers

#LI-ONSITE

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.

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Details

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