External Affairs Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

Base Salary

Annual Bonus

401K

AEP Pension

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Job summary

AEP is seeking an External Affairs Manager to oversee local government affairs, media liaison, and community relations across Fort Wayne and surrounding Indiana areas. The role leads strategy, policy development, and stakeholder engagement to support regulatory and public policy objectives.

The position requires senior-level leadership, strong communications, and travel up to 25% to partner with local teams and state policymakers. Retirement and benefits are included.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Engineering, Public Policy, Communications or related degree.
• Master's degree desirable.
• Experience: 7+ years in Customer Services, Community Relations, Economic & Business Development, Government Relations, Generation/Transmission/Distribution operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of community relations and economic development programs.
• Act as local legislative contact and advocate corporate positions.
• Build and maintain relationships with environmental, economic development and community partners.
• Coordinate solutions to regulatory and community issues across units and regions.
• Support regional economic development activities and regulatory initiatives.

Skills

Communication

Presentation

Verbal communication

Written communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Business/Engineering/Public Policy/Communications

Master's degree desirable

Job description

Job Posting End Date 10-27-2026 Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.

Job Summary

The External Affairs Manager is 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'sICS Plan.
• 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: Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Engineering, Public Policy, Communications or other related degree.
• Master's degree desirable.
• Experience: 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.
• License(s)/Certification(s): Must have a valid Driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

Additional Experience:

• 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 (~25%).
• 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.

Where You'll Work:

• Fort Wayne, IN
• Elkhart, IN
• Muncie, IN
• Or South Bend, IN

What You'll Get:

• Base Salary
• Annual Bonus
• 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 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.