VP Technology Operations, Planning & Governance

American Electric Power•Columbus, OH

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Vice President of Technology Operations, Planning & Governance will provide strategic leadership and oversight for all technology resources within the organization. This role will ensure that technology initiatives not only align with the overarching business goals but also drive operational excellence, compliance, and innovation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
Minimum of 15 years of experience in technology development and/or operations management, with a focus on governance and strategic planning.
Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams and managing large-scale technology projects.
Strong knowledge of IT governance frameworks such as COBIT, ITIL, or similar methodologies.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills, with a focus on building relationships across the organization.
Familiarity with regulatory requirements and compliance standards relevant to the industry.

Nice To Haves

Relevant certifications (e.g., PMP, ITIL, CISM, or equivalent).
Experience in utility, telecom, or other regulated industry.
Expertise in managing organizational changes related to technology implementation and process improvements.

Responsibilities

Lead the Technology Planning & Governance team, ensuring the effective delivery of IT services that meet strategic business objectives.
Develop and implement comprehensive technology strategies that enhance organizational capabilities and drive competitive advantage.
Monitor emerging technology trends and evaluate their potential impact on the organization’s strategic direction.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives within technology operations to enhance service delivery and reduce operational risks.
Support any executive and board related activities.
Deep expertise in CI/CD pipeline design and governance, ensuring secure, reliable, and repeatable software delivery across the enterprise.
Proven experience in deployment scheduling and orchestration, with a focus on minimizing risk and maximizing uptime through cross-team coordination.
Strong command of enterprise-wide metrics and performance management, including the ability to define, track, and report on KPIs that measure the effectiveness of all CITO functions.
Familiarity with DevOps and ITSM tools (e.g., Azure DevOps, ServiceNow, Jira) to support planning, change management, and operational transparency.
Experience implementing governance frameworks that align technology operations with business strategy, compliance, and risk management.
Ability to lead data-driven decision-making through the development of dashboards, scorecards, and analytics that inform executive and board-level reporting.
Knowledge of IT financial management, including cost modeling, chargeback/showback, and ROI analysis for technology investments.
Oversee budget planning and management for technology operations, ensuring optimal resource allocation.
Establish and enforce governance frameworks and processes to ensure compliance with industry regulations and best practices.
Develop and implement financial governance processes to ensure fiscal responsibility and accountability within technology operations.
Collaborate with finance teams to align technology budgets with overall organizational financial strategies.
Identify and mitigate financial risks associated with technology investments and operations.
Create and maintain documentation related to technology governance, policies, and procedures.
Develop and track the CITO KPIs across all areas.
Direct the auditing and management of development and deployment processes to ensure quality and efficiency.
Develop and manage all standards and principles for the entire organization.
Skilled in cross-functional alignment, ensuring that technology planning, execution, and governance are integrated across business units and delivery teams.
Collaborate with senior leadership to prioritize technology initiatives and allocate resources effectively.
Facilitate communication and collaboration between IT and other business units to foster a culture of transparency and accountability.
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.