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

American Electric Power•Lawton, OK

2d•$188,524 - $245,080•Onsite

About The Position

The Major Project Director develops, directs, guides, and executes project management functions for major generation projects, typically with multiple complex components and total budgets exceeding $1 billion. The Director is the single accountable leader for safety, schedule, cost, commercial performance, stakeholder alignment, execution, and delivery. Depending on the execution strategy, the role may oversee EPC contractors and third-party resources providing engineering or other project services. The Director assembles and develops a project team to initiate, plan, execute, monitor, control, and close out all project components. The role builds relationships and communicates with internal and external customers, suppliers, contractors, vendors, industry peers, utilities, regional transmission organizations, regulators, and landowners. During project execution, the Director must be located at the project site for its duration. The role oversees generation projects with capital budgets of $1 billion to $10 billion, including concurrent project components or specialized technical scopes. It leads project planning and delivery in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations and NERC, FERC, RTO, or utility commission requirements. The Director reports project strategy, needs, and performance to Generation Executive leadership and the sponsoring organization; establishes commercial and contracting strategies; oversees integrated schedules, budgets, contingency, risks, changes, staffing, contracts, and construction; and delivers the project safely, on schedule, and within approved investment. The position also supports regulatory approvals and filings, including project hearings and applications for a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity; develops team capabilities and a strong project culture; maintains effective stakeholder relationships; and monitors compliance with project policies, standards, and applicable agreements. The work may take place at offices, power plants (including nuclear facilities), and construction sites across Distribution, Transmission, Generation, and Telecom infrastructure. Some project assignments may involve hazardous areas or possible radiation exposure within NRC-prescribed limits. The role requires travel and work hours as needed for assignments, and may require light physical activity such as site walkdowns on unstable surfaces and climbing ladders.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, business, project management, accounting, finance, or a related field, depending on business unit requirements.
At least 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, or contract negotiations.
Experience demonstrating progressive responsibility and accomplishment, strong business acumen, and effective leadership.
PMP certification.
Valid state driver's license.
Strength in strategic thinking and planning.
Strength in project risk assessment and mitigation.
Ability to develop individuals in their current roles and prepare them for future roles.
Highly developed conflict management, listening, delegation, and decision-making skills.
Ability to challenge differing opinions effectively.
High energy and tenacity in facing difficulties and challenges.
Ability to safely and effectively perform light physical duties, including construction site walkdowns on unstable surfaces and climbing ladders, while remaining aware of hazardous site conditions.
Ability to work at various AEP locations and in varying conditions, including offices, power plants, and construction sites; nuclear site work may involve hazardous areas and possible radiation exposure within NRC limits.
Ability to write clear, concise reports and present to senior management.
Ability to understand and support AEP policies, values, principles, structure, and behavior, particularly the AEP Ways of Working.
Ability to work the hours and travel required to complete assignments; greater travel may be required for some assignments.
During project execution, ability to remain at the project location for the duration.

Nice To Haves

For internal candidates, two years of experience as a Project Manager Staff, Project Manager Staff Senior, or Director Projects, or demonstrated equivalent competencies, knowledge, and skills through results achieved in a shorter time.
Master's degree in business, engineering, project management, accounting, finance, construction management, or a related field, depending on business unit requirements.
Experience with generation projects in project management, engineering, or construction oversight.
Experience with utility generation projects.
Experience with heavy industrial construction projects.
Experience with EPC contract execution models for new generation construction.
Experience with Generation Interconnection Agreements.
Experience obtaining federal and state air permits.
Experience coordinating with federal, state, and local agencies to obtain environmental and non-environmental permits for new power plants.
Direct supervision experience, including performance plans and expense reports.
Executive communications and reporting experience.
Contracting and commercial strategy experience.
Experience coordinating with regional generation organizations such as PJM, MISO, SPP, or ERCOT, including competitive projects.
Experience coordinating with state utility commissions, including major state applications.
Experience with significant environmental applications such as USACE, USFWS, and NEPA.
Special skills directly related to the assigned project area may be required.

Responsibilities

Own overall project execution and direct, guide, and oversee project management functions through successful completion.
Lead accountability for project safety, schedule, cost, commercial performance, stakeholder alignment, execution, and delivery.
Assemble, develop, and lead a project team to initiate, plan, execute, monitor, control, and close out project components.
Implement and oversee the project safety program, monitor performance, address issues, and reinforce a Zero Harm commitment.
Report project strategy, team needs, metrics, and performance to Generation Executive leadership, the sponsoring organization, business unit, and Operating Company Leadership.
Develop a risk-adjusted, multiyear capital plan; oversee budgets, forecasts, cash flow, contingency, and capital investment performance.
Establish commercial and contracting strategy and negotiate contractor, EPC, and engineering agreements.
Guide contract development and contractor management, resolve technical and commercial issues, and escalate when necessary.
Drive the integrated schedule across workstreams and align schedules with resource management.
Identify and manage the executive risk register and develop risk mitigation solutions.
Lead project change management, gain stakeholder acceptance, and resolve disputes before escalation where possible.
Manage employees, staff augmentation, consultants, and vendors; support team accountability and performance management.
Build and mentor a cohesive project leadership team and foster a positive culture, staff development, and continuous improvement.
Manage stakeholder relationships with utilities, RTOs, regulators, landowners, contractors, and customers.
Achieve required regulatory approvals and participate as a subject matter expert in regulatory filings, hearings, and project justifications.
Ensure project compliance with regulations, policies, standards, and applicable operating, service, administrative, or joint venture agreements; maintain documentation.
Oversee construction and deliver projects safely, on schedule, and within approved investment.
Apply understanding of project-specific technical solutions to guide the team toward solutions.
Develop and evaluate scenarios to accommodate increased or reduced project targets.
Support project financing activities with Treasury, Generation Finance, and banking firms as needed.
Promote continuous improvement by developing or improving guidelines, procedures, and processes and by challenging assumptions.
Write clear, concise reports and make presentations to senior management.
Work at the project location for the duration of project execution, and travel or work hours as required by assignments.