SVP Back Office Technology

American Electric Power•Columbus, OH

21h•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a dynamic and visionary Senior Vice President of Back Office Technology to lead the strategic direction, development, and implementation of technology solutions that support back-office operations across our Generation, Transmission, and Distribution business units. This executive will be instrumental in driving operational excellence, digital transformation, and innovation across the enterprise, ensuring our systems are secure, scalable, and aligned with the evolving needs of a modern utility. This high-impact leadership role requires a candidate who thrives at the intersection of technology, operations, and business strategy, and who is passionate about building a world-class utility through intelligent systems and empowered teams.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
15+ years of experience in technology leadership roles, preferably within Technology, Engineering, Architecture, and Dev-Ops for front- and back-office.
Strong understanding of technology systems, infrastructure, and best practices in operations management.
Proven track record of managing large-scale technology projects from conception to implementation.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across departments and convey technical information to non-technical stakeholders.
Experience with budget management and vendor negotiations.
Deep expertise in enterprise platforms supporting transmission, generation and distribution systems.
Strong command of cloud infrastructure and services (e.g., Azure, AWS), including hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
Proficiency in modern software development practices, including DevSecOps, CI/CD pipelines, and agile methodologies.
Experience with integration frameworks, API-first design, and microservices architecture.
Exposure to AI/ML applications, digital twins, and automation technologies that enhance operational intelligence.
Demonstrated ability to evaluate and implement scalable, secure, and cost-effective technology solutions.

Nice To Haves

Expertise in managing organizational change related to technology implementation and process improvements.
Understanding of compliance and regulatory requirements relevant to technology and data management in the industry.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a comprehensive back-office technology strategy that enhances operational efficiency and supports business goals across Generation, Transmission, and Distribution.
Oversee the full lifecycle of back-office systems and applications—from architecture and development to deployment and support.
Align technology investments with enterprise priorities, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
Partner with business leaders, operations teams, and IT stakeholders to identify technology needs and deliver integrated solutions that streamline workflows and improve performance.
Lead vendor selection, contract negotiation, and relationship management to ensure value-driven technology partnerships.
Serve as a key liaison between technology and business units, translating operational needs into scalable solutions.
Ensure all back-office systems comply with industry standards, cybersecurity protocols, and regulatory mandates.
Establish and manage budgets for technology initiatives, ensuring fiscal responsibility and ROI.
Promote data integrity, privacy, and ethical technology use across all platforms.
Build and retain a high-performing technology team with the right mix of skills, experience, and leadership potential.
Design career paths and succession plans that support long-term organizational growth.
Foster a customer-first culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the technology organization.
Champion inclusion in hiring and team development.
Collaborate closely with the CITO to ensure robust security strategies are embedded across all applications and solutions.
Act as a strategic business leader—understand the utility industry’s operational model and develop technology solutions that support reliability, affordability, and sustainability.
Educate and empower your team to think beyond their functional areas, encouraging proactive problem-solving and enterprise-wide impact.
Represent the company in industry forums, regulatory discussions, and innovation councils.