VP Nuclear Development Government Affairs

American Electric Power•Columbus, OH

21d

About The Position

The Vice President Nuclear Development Government Affairs is a senior leadership role within AEP’s Nuclear Development organization, which is responsible for shaping and advancing the company’s legislative and regulatory strategy for new nuclear generation long term growth. This role provides the strategic legislative and regulatory vision, leadership, and execution needed to support the development and deployment of new nuclear generation, including next generation nuclear technologies, and ensures alignment across AEP’s regulated jurisdictions. The Vice President will lead the development of legislative and regulatory strategy for Nuclear Development, translating the organization’s project delivery model, technical planning, and customer needs into actionable legislative and regulatory pathways. The Vice President will be responsible for the execution of legislative and regulatory strategy to support business objectives while fostering AEP’s core principle of regulatory and legislative integrity. The role requires deep understanding of utility regulation, exceptional strategic thinking, and the ability to anticipate regulatory challenges and opportunities that influence nuclear development timelines, cost recovery, and stakeholder support.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (e.g., JD, MBA, public policy, engineering) preferred.
15+ years of experience in utility regulation, energy policy, legislative affairs, nuclear project development, or related fields.
Demonstrated experience developing regulatory and/or legislative strategy for major infrastructure or generation projects, ideally including nuclear.
Experience working with state utility commissions, legislative bodies, and regulatory staff across multiple jurisdictions strongly preferred.
Exceptional strategic thinking and the ability to distill complex technical issues into compelling regulatory narratives.
Strong understanding of customer needs, regulatory frameworks, legislative processes, and cost recovery mechanisms.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship building skills.
Ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive alignment in a complex, multi-jurisdictional environment.
Demonstrated executive presence and ability to engage effectively with senior leaders, regulators, and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead AEP’s regulatory strategy for nuclear development across all regulated jurisdictions.
Translate the nuclear project delivery model into clear, actionable regulatory plans, filings, and engagement strategies needed to secure regulatory approvals.
Collaborate with AEP operating companies to ensure alignment between nuclear development activities and jurisdictional regulatory frameworks, expectations, and precedents.
Anticipate regulatory risks and opportunities and advise senior leadership on mitigation options.
Collaborate with AEP operating companies and other organizations to develop cost recovery strategies that reflect customer needs, system benefits, and long term value creation.
Develop and lead the legislative affairs strategy for Nuclear Development at both the state and federal levels, ensuring alignment with AEP’s broader government affairs priorities.
Build and maintain strong relationships with governors’ offices, state legislators, congressional delegations, and relevant committees to advance policies that enable nuclear deployment.
Monitor legislative activity affecting nuclear development, including siting, permitting, financing, incentives, workforce, and energy policy.
Coordinate AEP’s legislative positions, testimony, and policy materials for hearings, briefings, and stakeholder engagements.
Collaborate closely with AEP’s federal and state Government Affairs teams to ensure seamless alignment between legislative, regulatory, and business strategies.
Represent AEP’s Nuclear Development strategy before state commissions, regulatory staff, legislative bodies, and other key governmental and industry stakeholders.
Build and maintain strong, constructive relationships with regulatory and legislative entities to support transparency, trust, and credibility.
Coordinate closely with jurisdictional regulatory teams and government affairs teams to ensure consistent messaging across all forums.
Serve as the senior regulatory and legislative advisor to the President, Nuclear Development and the Nuclear Development leadership team.
Collaborate with internal teams, including engineering, finance, legal, customer operations, communications and external affairs, to integrate policy strategy into project planning and execution.
Guide cross-functional teams to ensure regulatory and legislative milestones are understood, tracked, and achieved.
Provide leadership in shaping AEP’s nuclear narrative for customers, regulators, policymakers, and industry partners.
Monitor emerging regulatory and legislative trends, federal and state policy initiatives, and industry developments relevant to nuclear energy.
Develop policy recommendations that position AEP to benefit from evolving nuclear policy frameworks, incentives, and technological advancements.
Influence national and state policy development in coordination with AEP’s federal affairs and state government affairs teams and through strategic engagement with industry associations, coalitions, and government organizations.