Director Projects - Project Management Organization (PMO) Lead

Job Posting End Date

06-22-2026

Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date

Job Summary

Direct, guide, and supervise all project management and/or work management functions on a suite of assigned projects. Provide effective leadership and work to develop project managers ensuring all assigned projects are initiated, planned, executed, monitored & controlled, and closed in a safe, efficient, economical, risk-balanced approach in accordance with specific business unit expectations and standards to obtain maximum customer satisfaction and achieve short and long range goals. Manage project portfolio to prioritize projects and associated resources. Accountable for the execution of a capital portfolio in support of annual corporate investment targets and to improve customer reliability. Accountable for the development of a long range 5 year capital portfolio.

Build relationships and effectively communicate with all project stakeholders including internal and external customers, suppliers, contractors, vendors, and industry peers to achieve project goals and obtain customer satisfaction. Direct project teams in managing multifaceted contractors, as well as, developing and managing performance-based contracts including timely resolution of technical and commercial issues. Lead by example in building trust and achieving results to create a culture aligned with the organization's values. Maintain an adaptable management philosophy which emphasizes continuous improvement, improved management processes, staffing effectiveness, productivity, communications, financial and human resources accountability. Managing all staffing aspects including employees, staff augmentation, and consultants/vendor management.

Job Description

What you'll do:

• Direct, guide, and oversee project management functions to successfully complete all assigned projects.

• Accountable for:

• Monthly performance and report out of Safety, Capital Investment, Project/Program/Portfolio In-service, and other performance metrics of Operating Company Leadership

• Annual Capital Investment and Project/Program/Portfolio In-service Performance

• Development of a risk adjusted multi-year capital portfolio of projects to support long range plan for regional affiliates.

• Development and execution of scenarios to accommodate increased or reduced targets.

• Regulatory compliance in regard to the capital portfolio. Actively participate as needed as a subject matter expert on regulatory filings, providing project justification and analysis. "

• Strong, positive team culture

• Support and hold accountable various project managers in initiating, planning, executing, monitoring & controlling, and closing of all projects in accordance with specific business unit expectations. Administer and manage an effective, innovative, competent, and confident project management organization.

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders to achieve project goals and obtain complete customer satisfaction. Consistently demonstrate effective leadership through building trust and achieving results to create the culture envisioned by the organization's value statement.

• Support, monitor, and reinforce contractor and employee safety performance through safety-in-design, implementation and recognition of improved process, procedure and performance measurement and reporting, and a demonstrated commitment to Zero Harm.

• Guide the development of contracts aligned with program or project execution strategy. Direct and provide guidance in the management of contracts and contractors. Resolve all issues both technical and commercial in a timely manner or escalate as necessary.

• Administer the company's performance management review and compensation program ensuring meaningful performance and development plans are completed, fair and equitable evaluation of performance against the standard, and complete alignment with organization's goals and values. Be a mentor to others. Provide for the development and effective utilization of subordinate Project Managers and Project Coordinators through job assignments, training programs, rotation and personal development plans to maximize both their personal potential and contribution to the Company.

• Own, develop and/or improve guidelines, procedures, and processes to achieve organizational goals and objectives for continuous improvement.

• Provide leadership, guidance and support for the organization's strategic execution and cultural transformation plans.

• Provide leadership, guidance and support for the group's assigned project long range total budget and forecast to assure effective development of estimate and cash flow basis, change management of projections, stakeholder communication and acceptance of the budget and forecasts.

• Monitor for compliance to the established business unit/corporate policies and standards using established business unit systems and processes, including maintaining pertinent documentation.

• Collaborate with other BU functions (Transmission, Distribution, Generation, IT, etc.) to direct project managers to deliver projects on time and within budget and establish and maintain a business unit future plan for work expectations. Coordinate project milestone dates with corresponding BU project dates to ensure end-to-end project coordination between departments and business units. Collaborate with Procurement to staff projects with internal and external staff. Be an advocate for your own business unit's goals and mission.

• Lead initiatives to prioritize projects and determine if projects will move forward. Facilitate the prioritization process, including compiling and distributing materials ahead of meetings, if necessary.

• Have experience with technical solutions related to specifics of the assigned business unit project work. Maintain knowledge of emerging technologies and best practices related to the role as well as have experience in scaling those solutions. Some roles, such as those in the IT organization, will require strong technical capabilities, including all levels of application build.

• Consider and develop long-range strategic business plans for the project management organization. This will include managing departmental structure, aligning departmental policies, processes, and practices with business goals, and directing departmental engagement with the overall project needs of the organization.

What we're looking for:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, Project Management, Computer Science, Information Technology, Accounting, Finance, or related field of study dependent on business unit requirements with ten (10) years of qualified experience (see below).
• Master's in Business, Computer Science, Engineering, Project Management, Information Technology, Accounting, Finance, Construction Management, or related field of study dependent on business unit requirements preferred.
• Minimum of Ten (10) years of qualified experience, including work in two or more of the following areas: major construction projects, project management, portfolio management, commissioning, project controls, fossil generation, IT projects, and contract negotiations.
• Experience must exhibit progressive levels of responsibility and accomplishment, highly-proficient level of business acumen, and demonstrated effective leadership skills.
• Supervisory experience is preferred.
• PMP certification required.
• Valid state driver's license.

Other Requirements:

• Proven strength in strategic thinking and planning.
• Proven strength in project risk assessment and mitigation strategies.
• Highly developed conflict management, effective listening, delegation, and decision-making skillsets. Ability to challenge differing opinions in a very effective manner.
• Demonstrated strength in developing individuals in their current role as well as the next one.
• High-energy and tenacity in facing difficulty and challenges.
• Work hours and travel as required to successfully accomplish assignments. Travel typically 25% or less, however greater travel may be required in support of specific assignments.
• Safely and effectively Perform light physical duties. Duties can involve construction site walkdown on unstable surfaces, climbing ladders, and awareness of hazardous site conditions.
• Promote continuous improvement and maintain a strong questioning attitude. Ask intrusive questions and challenge assumptions. Own, develop and/or improve guidelines, procedures, and processes to achieve organizational goals and objectives for continuous improvement.
• Perform work at various AEP locations in varying conditions. Work sites will include home, office, and construction sites for Distribution, Transmission, and Telecom infrastructure.
• Special skills directly related to the area of the assigned project may be required as necessary.
• Ability to write clear, concise reports and ability to make presentations to senior management.
• Understand and support the policies, values, principles, structure and behavior of AEP.

What you'll get:

• Base Salary
• Annual Bonus
• Long-term incentive plan
• 401K
• AEP Pension
• Comprehensive benefits package that aims to support and enhance the overall well-being of our employees.

At AEP, we're more than just an energy company - we're a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions. Guided by our mission to put the customer first, we strive to exceed expectations by listening, responding, and continuously improving the way we serve our communities. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact and being part of a forward-thinking organization, this is the company for you!

#LI-ONSITE

#AEPCareers

#AEPTEXAS

Compensation Data

Compensation Grade:

SP20-011

Compensation Range:

$160,434.00 - $208,565.50

The Physical Demand Level for this job is: L - Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or 10 to 12 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 5-6 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for sedentary work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work: (1) When it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time, but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg c ontrols; and/or (3) when the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible. NOTE: The constant stress and strain of maintaining a production rate pace, especially in an industrial setting, can be and is physically demanding of a worker even though the amount of force exerted is negligible

Hear about it first! Get job alerts by email. Log in to your Candidate Home Account today! If you don't have an account, you can create one.

It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all respects of the employer-employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we might record certain information or applicants for employment may be invited to voluntarily disclose protected characteristics.