VP Nuclear Development Communications

American Electric Power; North Carolina; On-site; USD 221,000 - 288,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base Salary

Annual Bonus

Long Term Incentive

401K

AEP Pension

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

American Electric Power seeks a VP of Communications for its Nuclear Development organization. You will shape messaging for employees, regulators, customers, and the public, aligning with safety, innovation, and operational excellence.

Lead brand, digital strategy, and stakeholder engagement to position AEP as a nuclear industry leader. You will manage a team, influence executive messaging, and drive trusted communications across platforms while ensuring regulatory alignment and proactive issue

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in strategic communications and public relations for large organizations.
• Deep understanding of the energy industry, regulatory landscape, and policy context.
• Proven leadership and team management experience at executive level.
• Crisis management experience with ability to make strategic decisions under pressure.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide counsel to the President and exec team on comms strategy and reputation management.
• Develop and execute comprehensive comms plans aligned with goals and regulatory requirements.
• Lead crisis communications to protect and enhance the organization's reputation.
• Build and promote a nuclear brand supporting growth through innovation and operational excellence.
• Oversee content across executive messaging, media relations, digital, and internal comms.

Skills

Strategic comms

Public relations

Energy industry

Leadership

Crisis management

Written comms

Job description

Job Posting End Date

08-10-2026

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

Job Summary

Join us in building an organization where every employee is empowered to make a generational impact. As the communications leader for nuclear development, you will shape and amplify our story, crafting messaging that inspires, engages, and builds trust amongst our many stakeholders.

Your work will align our team’s purpose with the opportunity to transform the industry, setting new standards for safety, innovation, operational excellence, and power generation. Through strategic communications, you will help position our organization as a leader in advanced nuclear solutions and foster a culture where every voice contributes to our shared success.

Job Description

The VP, Communications is a strategic leader responsible for shaping and executing the communications vision for AEP’s Nuclear Development organization. This role orchestrates all internal and external messaging, ensuring the organization’s mission, vision, and values are clearly and consistently conveyed to employees, customers, regulators, and the public. The VP, Communications drives brand reputation, stakeholder engagement, and narrative development across all platforms, supporting business objectives and fostering a culture of transparency, trust, and innovation.

What You’ll Do:

Strategic Communications Leadership

• Provide expert counsel to the President and executive team on communications strategy, messaging, and reputation management.
• Develop and implement comprehensive communications plans that support business goals, regulatory requirements, and industry leadership.
• Lead crisis communications, proactively preparing for and managing issues to protect and enhance the organization’s reputation.
• Build an industry-leading nuclear brand that supports growth through innovation, partnership, customer service, operational excellence and regulatory integrity.

Brand & Narrative Management

• Oversee the development and delivery of all communications content, including executive messaging, media relations, digital platforms, and internal communications.
• Ensure brand consistency and clarity across all channels, partnering with Operating Companies and AEP’s Communications & Marketing department.
• Drive innovative branding initiatives to enhance visibility and reputation within the nuclear energy sector.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including media, government agencies, industry partners, and community leaders.
• Collaborate with regulatory and government affairs teams to align communications with legislative and regulatory strategies.
• Partner across the AEP system to ensure consistency and relevancy of message.
• Foster employee engagement and alignment through effective internal communications, ensuring staff are informed, motivated, and connected to the organization’s purpose.

Digital & Media Strategy

• Lead digital communications efforts, including website, social media, and digital marketing, to engage customers, communities, and stakeholders.
• Oversee public relations activities, managing relationships with media outlets, influencers, and external partners.

Operational Excellence

• Manage the communications budget, allocating resources to maximize impact and measure effectiveness.
• Guide the professional development of the Nuclear Development Communications team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

What We’re Looking For:

Experience:

• Extensive Experience in Strategic Communications and Public Relations: The ideal candidate should have a minimum of 10 years of experience in leading strategic communication initiatives and managing public relations for a large organization.
• Strong Understanding of the Energy Industry: The VP, Communications needs to have a deep understanding of the energy industry, including the regulatory and policy landscape, as well as the company’s role in the industry.
• Excellent Leadership and Management Skills: As a member of the executive team, the VP, communications will be responsible for leading and managing a team of communication professionals. The candidate should have a proven track record of effectively managing and motivating teams to achieve organizational goals.
• Crisis Management Expertise: In the event of a crisis, the VP, Communications will play a critical role in managing Nuclear Development’s reputation and communicating with stakeholders. The ideal candidate should have experience in handling crisis situations and the ability to make strategic decisions under pressure.
• Exceptional Communication Skills: The VP, Communications must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills. This includes the ability to effectively communicate complex information to various stakeholders, including employees, investors, and the general public.

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 Data

Compensation Grade:

SP20-013

Compensation Range:

$221,489.00 - $287,934.50

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.