External Affairs Manager

American Electric Power; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 116,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

American Electric Power (AEP) in Indiana seeks an experienced leader to oversee local government affairs, public policy advocacy, community relations and regional economic development. This role serves as AEP's primary field contact for communities and stakeholders.

The position requires strong communications, policy advocacy and relationship-building across multiple units, with travel and leadership responsibilities to advance the company's public policy and community initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Public Policy, Finance, Communications or other related degree. Master's degree desirable.
• Minimum of seven years' related experience in Customer Services, Community Relations, Economic & Business Development, Government Relations, Generation, Transmission or Distribution Utility Operations. Utility industry related experience preferred.
• Must have a valid Driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

Responsibilities

• Provide strong, enabling leadership, serving as team lead in developing company strategies and policies to build effective community relations and economic development programs.
• Serve as local legislative contact and liaison working with respective business units to advocate corporate positions and influence public policy.
• Strategically build, maintain and manage environmental, economic development and community contacts and relationships.
• Manage, coordinate and facilitate solutions to emerging strategic community and business development issues (franchises, taxes, ordinances, siting, etc.).
• Support regional/local economic development activities including community preparedness, strategic recruitment and business retention.
• Provide support to Distribution and Transmission in outage situations as the primary community and public emergency management contact.
• Serve as AEP's local grassroots facilitator; advocate company positions and maintain relationships with leadership and regulatory bodies.
• Manage local level contributions and memberships; help develop and implement corporate policy for state representation.
• Demonstrate ethical standards and comply with Corporate Compliance Policies.

Skills

Leadership

Public policy

Government relations

Community relations

Economic development

Strategic communications

Stakeholder management

Policy advocacy

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree desirable

Job description

Job Posting End Date

08-31-2026

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

Job Summary

Responsible for oversight and implementation of local & county governmental affairs, media communications liaison, community relations and local/regional economic development operations. Also serves as AEP's primary community field contact.

Job Description

What you'll do:

• Provide strong, enabling leadership, serving as team lead in the development of company strategies and policies necessary to build effective community relations and economic development programs.
• Serve as local legislative contact and liaison working with respective business units to advocate corporate positions and influence public policy.
• Strategically build, maintain and manage key environmental, economic development and community contacts and relationships.
• Manage, coordinate and facilitate solutions to emerging strategic community and business development issues, e.g. franchises, quality of service, ROW, permits, ordinances/resolutions, taxes, siting, commission complaints, environmental and other regulatory issues.
• Manage, coordinate and support regional/local economic development activities including community preparedness, strategic recruitment and business retention.
• Provide support to Distribution and Transmission in outage situations, serving as the primary community and public emergency management contact as per the OPCO's ICSPan.
• Serve as AEP's local grassroots facilitator; support legislative and regulatory initiatives of key importance to operating company and AEP's business and public policy needs and effectively advocate company positions. Maintain strong relationships with local executive management team, local distribution and transmission managers, corporate communications representatives, and regulatory and governmental affairs representatives.
• Manage local level contributions and memberships. Assist in the developing, organizing and implementing corporate policy and strategy for overall effective state representation by educating the state legislators, their staff and the state government as to the goals, objectives and needs of the Corporation.
• Must demonstrate the highest standards of ethical behavior and support the Company's Corporate Compliance Policies.

What we're looking for:

Education requirements are listed below:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Public Policy, Finance, Communications or other related degree. Master's degree desirable.

Work Experience requirement listed below:

• Minimum of seven years' related experience in Customer Services, Community Relations, Economic & Business Development, Government Relations, Generation, Transmission or Distribution Utility Operations. Utility industry related experience preferred.

Required License(s)/Certification(s) are listed below:

• Must have a valid Driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrated communications and presentation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Must be able to travel to various locations for extended periods and work late into the evenings.
• Must possess demonstrated ability to successfully build strategic internal and external relationships, possess political acumen, and display strong initiative to manage resources, projects and issues across business units, committees and task forces (both internal and external to the Company).
• Demonstrated successful leadership.
• Must be able to see information on computer screen and use computer keyboard.
• Must be able to hear spoken words via telephone, cell phone or during individual or group meetings.
• Experience in working with and managing diverse public engagement scenarios.
• Experience in community investment, philanthropic, and community partnership activities.

What you'll get:

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.

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 Data

Compensation Grade:

SP20-009

Compensation Range:

$116,255.00 - $151,132.50

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.