Project Mgr

American Electric Power•Corpus Christi, TX

About The Position

Manage one or more intermediate or complex projects, projects at the highest level of complexity, or a program area of projects in a matrix-team environment. Lead, direct, train, coordinate, and communicate with project teams to initiate, plan, execute, monitor, control, and close projects safely, efficiently, economically, and with balanced risk, achieving short- and long-range goals and customer satisfaction. Provide project transparency and build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders so they can make sound business decisions. The role manages project and outage activities, including plans, schedules, budgets, resources, procurement, contracts, and closeout. It applies Waterfall and Agile project management techniques and AEP project standards, supports the company’s Zero Harm safety commitment, and provides leadership and supervision to direct reports. The position may represent AEP with industrial customers, vendors, and regulators. Work takes place at home, offices, power plants (including nuclear facilities), and construction sites across Distribution, Transmission, Generation, and Telecom infrastructure. Travel is typically 25% or less, though more may be required for specific assignments. Nuclear-site work may involve hazardous areas and potential radiation exposure within NRC-prescribed limits.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, Project Management, Computer Science, or a related field, plus three years of qualified experience; or an associate degree in the same required disciplines plus five years of qualified experience; or a high school diploma/GED plus seven years of qualified experience.
Qualified experience includes project management, major construction field experience, project estimating, project controls, project engineering, or comparable internal or external experience in a competitive production environment.
Experience must demonstrate successful project management duties, business acumen, and prior responsibility for all knowledge areas of the certifying body.
Demonstrated preparedness for specialist-level project management knowledge in construction safety, negotiations, scope development and control, cost estimating, construction contracting, project controls and reporting, quality control, and risk management.
Valid state driver’s license.
Obtain PMP certification within 12 months of employment.
Provide effective leadership, team building, and meeting management consistent with certifying-body expectations and AEP leadership competencies and values.
Demonstrate strong ability, motivation, and attitude in leading teams and projects to successful completion.
Communicate effectively and persuasively, including listening effectively, with stakeholders at all levels.
Apply economic analysis and develop business and professional acumen in project decisions.
Use project management tools and techniques; provide strategic thinking, planning, risk assessment, and prioritization.
Make sound decisions; organize project activities, delegate assignments, set expectations, manage deliverables, and hold team members accountable.
Prioritize and manage conflict constructively, take independent action on elevated issues, and offer recommendations to management.
Demonstrate proficiency in scope management, technical-solution evaluation, project risk management, and contract development and management, including allocating risk between owner and contractor.
Build relationships with contractors and leverage them in program-level procurement.
Act with integrity and accountability; seek and validate subject-matter input rather than relying on assumptions.
Evaluate team members’ skills and capabilities and provide recommendations or constructive feedback.
Promote continuous improvement, maintain a questioning attitude, and challenge assumptions.
Safely perform light physical work, including potential construction-site walkdowns on unstable surfaces, ladder climbing, and awareness of hazardous site conditions.
Understand and support AEP policies, values, principles, structure, and behavior.

Nice To Haves

Experience in utilities is favorable.
PMP certification is preferred, but is not required at application.

Responsibilities

Plan, organize, direct, coordinate, and supervise assigned project and outage work activities.
Apply Waterfall and Agile project management principles and techniques.
Support and hold employees and contractors accountable to AEP safety policies and standards, maintaining a safe working environment focused on Zero Harm.
Develop, review, coordinate, and manage project and outage plans, schedules, budgets, tools, and staff.
Manage project costs and reallocate funding when needed.
Communicate project and outage details and status; lead planning meetings, updates, and complex stakeholder presentations; and prepare clear written reports.
Develop working relationships with project teams, operating company staff, customers, partners, contractors, vendors, and suppliers; foster teamwork and monitor customer satisfaction.
Provide guidance, instruction, and training to improve designs, systems, procedures, processes, schedules, and costs; challenge project work where appropriate.
Supervise assigned direct reports, support their development, and mentor project and assistant project managers.
Represent AEP with industrial customers, vendors, and regulators as required by assigned projects.
Develop procurement plans for outside resources and manage service contracts, including proposals, bid evaluation, vendor selection, negotiations, performance and quality oversight, and contract compliance.
Manage project closeout and analyze whether objectives were achieved and project benefits realized.
Align project work with AEP organizational standards and Project Management Governance Committee guidance; manage programs as assigned.
Apply economic analysis and support alignment of project decisions with company financial goals.
Influence engineering and design, procurement, contracting, estimating, and construction processes to optimize projects; identify and implement cross-project process improvements.
Plan and prioritize project activities, assess risks, manage scope and technical solutions, allocate tasks, manage deliverables, and hold team members accountable.
Manage conflict and elevated issues, take timely independent action, and recommend solutions to management.
Seek and validate subject-matter expertise, assess team capabilities, and provide constructive feedback to support project success.
Perform light physical duties and work at varying AEP locations and site conditions.