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

American Electric Power•Shreveport, LA

4d•$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, typically with multiple components and total budgets greater than $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 project plan, the role may oversee EPC contractors and other third-party resources providing engineering or project services. The Director leads a project team through initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and control, and closeout. The role builds relationships and communicates with internal and external customers, suppliers, contractors, vendors, regulators, landowners, utilities, and industry peers to achieve project goals and customer satisfaction. During project execution, the Director must work at the location of the project for its duration. The role oversees projects with capital budgets of $1 billion to $10 billion, multiple concurrent generation components, or specialized technical generation scopes. It is accountable for delivery in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations and NERC, FERC, RTO, and utility commission requirements. The position manages project leaders and all assigned team members, staffing, contractors, budgets, schedules, risk, regulatory approvals, and construction delivery. The position may involve work at AEP offices, power plants (including nuclear facilities), and construction sites for Distribution, Transmission, Generation, and Telecom infrastructure. Work at nuclear sites may involve hazardous areas and possible radiation exposure within NRC-prescribed limits. Project execution requires being on location for the duration, and work hours and travel are 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 plant, 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 work the hours and travel required to successfully complete assignments, including greater travel when project needs require it.
Ability to perform light physical duties safely and effectively, including construction-site walkdowns on unstable surfaces, climbing ladders, and awareness of hazardous site conditions.
Ability to work in varying conditions at AEP locations, including offices, power plants, and construction sites; work at nuclear sites may involve hazardous areas and possible radiation exposure within NRC limits.
Ability to write clear, concise reports and make presentations to senior management.
Ability to understand and support AEP policies, values, principles, structure, and 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, knowledge, and skills through results achieved in a shorter timeline.
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 executing EPC contract models to build new generation.
Experience with Generation Interconnection Agreements.
Experience obtaining air permits through federal and state processes.
Experience coordinating with federal, state, and local agencies to obtain environmental and non-environmental permits for new power plants.
Direct supervision experience, including overseeing 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 and future roles.
Highly developed conflict management, listening, delegation, and decision-making skills.
Ability to challenge differing opinions effectively.
High energy and tenacity when facing difficulties and challenges.

Responsibilities

Direct and oversee overall project execution and project management functions to complete assigned projects.
Implement and oversee project safety programs, monitor safety performance, address issues, and promote Zero Harm.
Report project strategy and team needs, including solutions for siting, regulatory, procurement, engineering, construction, and budget requirements, to Generation Executive leadership.
Establish commercial contracting strategy and negotiate project contractor, EPC, and engineering agreements.
Drive integrated schedules across workstreams and align them with resource management.
Oversee program budgets and contingency, manage project execution against budget targets, and develop risk-adjusted multi-year capital plans, budgets, forecasts, and cash-flow estimates.
Identify and manage the executive risk register; develop strategies to mitigate project risks and exposure.
Lead project change management, gain stakeholder acceptance, resolve disputes, and develop scenarios for changing project targets.
Build, mentor, and support a cohesive project leadership team; develop staff and hold team members accountable for performance.
Manage stakeholder relationships with utilities, RTOs, regulators, landowners, contractors, and other stakeholders.
Ensure readiness for regulatory filings and obtain required regulatory approvals, including successful project hearings and Certificates of Convenience and Necessity where applicable.
Manage staffing, including employees, staff augmentation, consultants, and vendors.
Manage construction and deliver projects safely, on schedule, and within approved investment.
Apply understanding of project-specific technical solutions to guide the team toward solutions.
Oversee and report safety, capital investment, schedule, and other requested performance metrics to the sponsoring organization, business unit, and operating company leadership.
Participate as needed as a subject matter expert in regulatory filings and provide project justification and analysis.
Guide contract development and contractor management; resolve technical and commercial issues or escalate them as needed.
Monitor compliance with project policies and standards, maintain documentation, and support governance of applicable operating, service, administrative, or joint-venture agreements.
Promote continuous improvement, maintain a questioning attitude, challenge assumptions, and develop or improve guidelines, procedures, and processes.
Write clear, concise reports and present information to senior management.