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

American Electric Power•Shreveport, LA

2d•$188,524 - $245,080•Onsite

About The Position

The Major Project Director develops, directs, guides, and executes project management functions for complex major generation projects, generally with total budgets exceeding $1 billion. The Director is the single accountable leader for safety, schedule, cost, commercial performance, stakeholder alignment, execution, and project delivery. Depending on the project execution strategy and plan, the Director may oversee EPC contractors or third-party resources providing engineering and other project services. The role leads a project team through initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and control, and closeout. It builds relationships and communicates with internal and external customers, suppliers, contractors, vendors, and industry peers to achieve project goals and customer satisfaction. The position covers projects with capital budgets of $1 billion to $10 billion, multiple concurrent generation components, or specialized technical generation scopes. Projects must meet applicable local, state, and federal requirements and comply with NERC, FERC, RTO, and utility commission measures. During project execution, the Director must be on location for the duration. The Director owns overall project execution, safety, integrated scheduling, budget and contingency oversight, commercial contracting strategy, change management, risk management, staffing, construction delivery, regulatory readiness, compliance, reporting, and stakeholder relationships. The role develops risk-adjusted multi-year capital plans and forecasts, supports project financing as needed, pursues required regulatory approvals, and leads and develops a cohesive project leadership team. It may involve work at offices, power plants (including nuclear), and construction sites for utility infrastructure. The position requires light physical duties and may involve construction-site walkdowns, ladders, hazardous conditions, and, at nuclear sites, possible radiation exposure within NRC limits.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, business, project management, accounting, finance, or a related field, as applicable to business-unit requirements.
At least 10 years of qualified experience, including work in two or more of the following: major construction projects, project management, portfolio management, commissioning, project controls, commercial nuclear power plant, fossil generation, or contract negotiations.
Experience demonstrating progressively greater responsibility and accomplishment, highly proficient business acumen, and effective leadership.
PMP certification.
Valid state driver's license.
Ability to perform light physical duties safely and effectively, 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 (including nuclear), and construction sites; nuclear-site work may include hazardous areas and possible radiation exposure within NRC limits.
Ability to write clear, concise reports and make presentations to senior management.
Ability to support AEP policies, values, principles, structure, behaviors, and Ways of Working.

Nice To Haves

For internal candidates, two years of experience as Project Manager Staff, Project Manager Staff Senior, or Director Projects, or demonstrated equivalent competencies and results in a shorter timeframe.
Master's degree in business, engineering, project management, accounting, finance, construction management, or a related field, as applicable to 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 executing EPC contract models to build new generation.
Experience with Generation Interconnection Agreements.
Experience with 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 communication 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.
Strength in strategic thinking and planning.
Strength in project risk assessment and mitigation strategies.
Ability to develop individuals in their current roles and prepare them for future roles.
Highly developed conflict management, active listening, delegation, and decision-making skills.
Ability to challenge differing opinions effectively.
High energy and tenacity when facing difficulties and challenges.
Special skills directly related to the assigned project area, as needed.

Responsibilities

Own, direct, guide, and oversee project execution and project management functions to complete assigned major generation projects.
Implement and oversee the project safety program, monitor performance, address issues, and support the goal of Zero Harm.
Report project strategy and team needs to Generation Executive leadership, including solutions for siting, regulatory, procurement, engineering, construction, and budgetary requirements.
Establish commercial contracting strategy and negotiate project contractor, EPC, and engineering agreements.
Drive an integrated schedule across workstreams and align it with resource management.
Oversee program budget and contingency, manage execution to budget targets, develop capital plans and forecasts, and evaluate scenarios for changing project targets.
Identify and manage the executive risk register and develop risk mitigation solutions.
Lead project change management, gain stakeholder acceptance, and resolve disputes before escalation.
Build, mentor, and develop a trusting, cohesive, and productive project leadership team.
Manage relationships with utilities, RTOs, regulators, landowners, contractors, and other stakeholders.
Ensure readiness for regulatory filings and successful project hearings leading to approval and a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity.
Manage staffing, including employees, staff augmentation, consultants, and vendors.
Manage construction and deliver the project safely, on schedule, and within approved investment.
Apply understanding of technical solutions relevant to the project to guide the team toward solutions.
Oversee and report project metrics, including safety, capital investment, schedule, and requested performance measures, to sponsoring organizations, business units, and Operating Company Leadership.
Support, monitor, and reinforce contractor and employee safety performance and recognize improved safety processes and performance.
Participate as needed as a subject matter expert in regulatory filings, providing project justification and analysis.
Foster a positive team culture and provide staff development through assignments, training, rotations, and personal development plans.
Hold project team members accountable and administer the company performance management review program.
Guide contract development to align with project execution strategy, direct contract and contractor management, and resolve technical and commercial issues or escalate as necessary.
Monitor compliance with project policies and standards; support and govern applicable operating, service, administrative, or joint venture agreements and maintain documentation.
Promote continuous improvement, maintain a questioning attitude, challenge assumptions, and develop or improve guidelines, procedures, and processes.
Write clear and concise reports and make presentations to senior management.
Work the hours and travel required for assignments, including greater travel when needed and on-location presence for the duration of project execution.