Resource Planning Lead | INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLANNING (IRP)

American Electric Power•Columbus, OH

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Join American Electric Power's Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) organization and lead the development of long-term resource strategies that support reliability, affordability, economic development, and the energy transition across multiple states and regulatory jurisdictions. As a Resource Planning Lead, you will serve as a strategic leader and subject matter expert responsible for managing Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs), evaluating future resource needs, and assessing generation, storage, transmission, demand-side, and emerging technology alternatives. Your work will directly support major investment decisions, regulatory filings, corporate strategy, and long-term planning efforts that impact millions of customers. This role combines project leadership, quantitative analysis, regulatory engagement, and cross-functional collaboration. You will coordinate teams of analysts and subject matter experts, oversee complex modeling studies, develop planning assumptions, support regulatory proceedings, and provide technical guidance to senior leadership. If you are passionate about energy policy, utility strategy, generation planning, and solving complex challenges facing the power industry, this role offers an opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in an analytical field such as engineering, mathematics, computer science, or business (e.g. accounting, finance, economics); OR, Bachelor's degree in a non-analytical field with two years of analytical experience.
Three (3) years as a Resource Planning Analyst Staff; OR, Ten (10) years of related resource planning experience (in addition to the experience identified above), specifically in generating plant operations or construction, renewable energy, energy efficiency, commercial operations, RTO operations, or transmission engineering/operations.
An advanced degree in an analytical field such as engineering, mathematics, computer science, or business (e.g. accounting, finance, economics) will be considered to be two (2) years of relevant experience.
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence decisions without direct authority.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a dynamic environment.
Ability to serve as an expert witness in regulatory proceedings.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with Python, VBA, SAS, SQL, or other analytical tools is preferred but not required
Professional certification or licensure (PE, PMP, CFA, CMA, or similar) is preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead development of Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs) and other strategic planning studies across multiple operating companies and regulatory jurisdictions.
Serve as project manager for complex planning initiatives, coordinating work across analysts, subject matter experts, consultants, and business partners to ensure quality deliverables and adherence to project schedules.
Lead development of planning assumptions, including load forecasts, commodity prices, technology costs, environmental regulations, transmission constraints, and market rules.
Direct resource optimization, production cost, and financial modeling efforts used to evaluate capacity needs and alternative resource portfolios.
Evaluate conventional generation, renewable resources, battery energy storage systems, demand response, energy efficiency programs, market transactions, and emerging technologies.
Translate technical modeling results into actionable recommendations for executive leadership, operating companies, and regulatory stakeholders.
Prepare technical reports, presentations, regulatory filings, and expert witness testimony supporting resource planning decisions.
Respond to discovery requests and provide technical support during regulatory proceedings and stakeholder engagement activities.
Maintain expertise regarding Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) markets, resource adequacy requirements, transmission planning activities, and policy developments.
Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, state and federal policies, and economic development initiatives that may impact future resource needs.
Build and maintain effective working relationships across operating companies, service corporation departments, regulators, consultants, and external stakeholders.
Identify opportunities to improve planning methodologies, analytical tools, automation, and business processes.