Director Project Controls (New Generation)

American Electric Power•Columbus, OH

1d•$160,434 - $208,566•Onsite

About The Position

Responsible for overseeing project controls, project cost management, and the development of performance metrics for all projects in the assigned department. Provides leadership in the assessment and audit of project management and project controls performance. In addition, this position will also support capital work, associated O&M activities, and provide metrics and reporting to departmental leadership that will be used in the ongoing management. Provide leadership, direction, training, coordination, and effective communication to support all project phases with a safe, efficient, economical, risk-balanced approach to achieve short- and long-range goals and to obtain maximum customer satisfaction. Develop relationships and effectively communicate with all stakeholders including internal customers, external customers, team members, suppliers, contractors, vendors, and industry peers. This position is responsible for aligning projects with approved quality control and quality assurance review, including adherence to project processes and controls.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, Project Management, Computer Science, Information Technology, Accounting, Finance, or related field of study dependent on business unit requirements with ten (10) years of qualified experience (see below).
Proven strength in strategic thinking and planning.
Proven strength in project risk assessment and mitigation strategies.
Highly developed conflict management, effective listening, delegation, and decision-making skillsets. Ability to challenge differing opinions in a very effective manner.
Demonstrated strength in developing individuals in their current role as well as the next one.
High-energy and tenacity in facing difficulty and challenges.
Work hours and travel as required to successfully accomplish assignments. Travel typically 25% or less, however greater travel may be required in support of specific assignments.
Safely and effectively Perform light physical duties. Duties can involve construction site walkdown on unstable surfaces, climbing ladders, and awareness of hazardous site conditions.
Promote continuous improvement and maintain a strong questioning attitude. Ask intrusive questions and challenge assumptions. Own, develop and/or improve guidelines, procedures, and processes to achieve organizational goals and objectives for continuous improvement.
Perform work at various AEP locations in varying conditions. Work sites will include home, office, power plants (including nuclear), and construction sites for Distribution, Transmission, Generation, and Telecom infrastructure. Work performed at nuclear power sites may involve work in hazardous areas and possible radiation exposure within the limits prescribed by the NRC.
Special skills directly related to the area of the assigned project may be required as necessary.
Ability to write clear, concise reports and ability to make presentations to senior management.
Understand and support the policies, values, principles, structure and behavior of AEP, especially the AEP Leads framework: Lead by example, Engage employees, Act with accountability, Develop employees, and Strive for excellence.
Valid state driver's license.

Nice To Haves

Master's in Business, Computer Science, Engineering, Project Management, Information Technology, Accounting, Finance, Construction Management, or related field of study dependent on business unit requirements preferred.
Supervisory experience is preferred.
PMP certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership to employees and manage project controls personnel. Actively promote AEP's safety, culture, and business initiatives.
Develop and maintain a performance measurement system and clearly define performance expectations and review and reward job performance within the organization to align individual performance with business goals.
Implement training and improve the competencies of the project controls staff assigned to a project teams.
Manage in the preparation of periodic project cost and schedule control reports including validating and reconciling actual and incurred costs and hours, analyzing progress to date, making recommendations as to forecasted cost and schedule projections while meeting critical deadlines, project change management, project risk management, and the development of metrics and reporting on program/project performance.
Lead the development, review, and coordination of the project plan, schedule, budget, tools, and staff.
Communicate project details and status updates, lead planning meetings and project updates including detailed and complex stakeholder presentations.
Supervise project controls functions to ensure data integrity and controls systems functionality.
Ensure project assessments and audits of project cost and schedule control performance as directed and/or scheduled.
Work collaboratively with project management teams and other departmental groups and leadership to develop project management processes, provide ongoing training support to personnel, and facilitate best practice sharing opportunities across the organization.
Facilitate the development of contractual project controls requirements to ensure all contract documents are aligned with project execution. Ensure the department is represented in kick-off meetings with contractors to ensure all requirements are reviewed and understood.
Direct, guide, and champion the administration of the AEP project management organizational standards, best practices, and tools and assist in the management of projects to those standards. Adhere to the guidance and standards put forth by the AEP Project Management Governance Committee.