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

American Electric Power•Louisa, KY

1d•$188,524 - $245,080•Onsite

About The Position

The Major Project Director develops, directs, guides, and executes project management functions for major generation projects with complex, multiple components and budgets generally exceeding $1 billion. The director is the single accountable leader for project safety, schedule, cost, commercial performance, stakeholder alignment, execution, and delivery. Depending on the execution strategy and plan, the role may oversee EPC contractors and other third-party resources providing engineering or related services. The director leads and develops a project team to initiate, plan, execute, monitor, control, and close all project components. The role builds relationships and communicates with internal and external customers, suppliers, contractors, vendors, and industry peers to achieve project goals and customer satisfaction. The position is 100% onsite, and the director must be located at the project site for the duration of project execution. Work may take place at offices, power plants (including nuclear facilities), and construction sites for distribution, transmission, generation, and telecommunications infrastructure. Travel and work hours vary as required by assignments.

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 plants, fossil generation, or contract negotiations.
Experience demonstrating progressive responsibility and accomplishments, strong business acumen, and effective leadership.
PMP certification.
Valid state driver's license.
Ability to perform light physical duties safely, including construction-site walkdowns on unstable surfaces, climbing ladders, and maintaining awareness of hazardous site conditions.
Ability to work at various AEP locations and in varying conditions, including offices, power plants, and construction sites.
Ability to write clear, concise reports and make presentations to senior management.
Ability to work the hours and travel required to accomplish assignments, including being at the project location throughout project execution.
Ability to support AEP policies, values, principles, structure, and behaviors, including the AEP Ways of Working.

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 and results 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 or heavy industrial construction projects.
Experience executing EPC contract 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 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, project risk assessment and mitigation, and developing employees for current and future roles.
Highly developed conflict management, listening, delegation, and decision-making skills; ability to challenge differing opinions effectively.
High energy and tenacity in addressing difficulties and challenges.
Continuous-improvement orientation, strong questioning attitude, and ability to challenge assumptions.
Special skills directly related to the assigned project area, as required.

Responsibilities

Own overall project execution and direct, guide, and oversee project management functions through successful completion.
Lead projects with capital budgets of $1 billion to $10 billion, multiple concurrent generation components, or specialized technical generation scopes.
Ensure project delivery complies with local, state, and federal regulatory requirements and applicable NERC, FERC, RTO, and utility commission measures.
Be accountable for project responsibilities, including functional leaders reporting directly to the director and all assigned team members.
Implement and oversee the project safety program, monitor performance, address issues, and reinforce a commitment to Zero Harm.
Report project strategy and team needs to Generation Executive leadership, including solutions for siting, regulatory, procurement, engineering, construction, and budget requirements.
Establish commercial contracting strategy and negotiate contractor, EPC, and engineering agreements.
Drive an integrated schedule across workstreams and align it with resource management.
Oversee project budgets and contingency, manage execution against budget targets, and develop risk-adjusted multiyear capital plans, forecasts, and cash-flow estimates.
Identify and manage the executive risk register and develop solutions to mitigate project risks.
Lead project change management, resolve disputes before escalation where possible, and develop scenarios for changes to project targets.
Build, mentor, and hold accountable a cohesive, productive project leadership team; support staff development and performance management.
Manage stakeholder relationships with utilities, RTOs, regulators, landowners, contractors, customers, and other project participants.
Prepare for regulatory filings and hearings and achieve necessary regulatory approvals, including approval and grant of a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity when applicable.
Manage staffing, including employees, staff augmentation, consultants, and vendors.
Manage construction and deliver projects safely, on schedule, and within approved investment.
Apply an understanding of technical solutions relevant to the project to guide the team toward solutions.
Report safety, capital investment, schedule, and other requested performance metrics to the sponsoring organization, business unit, and Operating Company leadership.
Support project financing activities with Treasury and Generation Finance and banking firms as applicable.
Participate as a subject matter expert in regulatory filings, providing project justification and analysis.
Guide contract development in alignment with the project execution strategy, oversee contract and contractor management, and resolve technical and commercial issues or escalate them as necessary.
Monitor compliance with project policies and standards; support governance of applicable operating, service, administrative, or joint venture agreements.
Maintain project documentation and promote continuous improvement by developing or improving guidelines, procedures, and processes.
Perform project-site walkdowns and light physical duties safely, while recognizing hazardous site conditions.
Write clear, concise reports and present information to senior management.