Project Manager

Project ManagerIn this role, you'll manage, or assist in the management of, base, intermediate, and/or complex projects and progressively develop to managing intermediate projects in a matrix team environment. You'll provide leadership, direction, coordination, and effective communication to initiate, plan, execute, monitor and control, and close projects in a safe, efficient, economical, risk-balanced approach to achieve short and long range goals and to obtain maximum customer satisfaction. You'll also provide project transparency and develop relationships and effectively communicate with all stakeholders including internal customers, external customers, team members, suppliers, contractors, vendors, and industry peers, enabling them to make sound business decisions. You'll enable and promote team level continuous improvement activities that increase quality and optimize delivery of value.What You'll Do:Plan, organize, direct, coordinate and supervise assigned project and outage work activities for customers with demonstrated proficiency in all aspects.Skillfully and successfully use project management principles and techniques (Waterfall, Agile) for project management for the organization.Support and hold employees and contractors accountable to AEP safety policies and standards, ensuring a safe working environment focused on Commitment to "Zero Harm".Supervise, develop, review and coordinate the project/outage plan, schedule, budget, tools, and staff with demonstrated proficiency in all aspects.Effectively manage cost and timely reallocate funding.Effectively communicate project/outage details and status updates.Lead planning meetings and project/outage updates including detailed and complex stakeholder presentations.Provide clear and concise written reports.Develop and actively manage effective working relationships with the project team, operating company staff, internal and external customers or partners, contractors, vendors, and suppliers.Foster teamwork and actively monitor customer satisfaction.Provide wide range of detailed guidance, instruction, and training to improve design, systems, procedures, processes, schedules, and costs.Confidently challenge others at a high level of informed understanding in all project work.Ensure maximum customer satisfaction and demonstrate effective and efficient performance of project/outage work activities on complex project level.Perform supervision duties and responsibilities for assigned direct reports.Provide support to direct reports in their development activities and mentor other project and assistant project managers.Represent AEP, as required, with industrial customers, vendors, and regulators as assigned projects dictate.Develop and manage procurement plans for necessary outside resources. Manage contracts for outside services, including developing requests for proposals, evaluating competitive bids, selecting vendors, participating in contract negotiations, overseeing vendor performance/quality, ensuring work is performed in accordance with the contract, etc.Manage closeout processes, including an analysis of the success of the project with respect to accomplishing the project objectives and realizing project benefits.Use and help align the organization with the AEP project management organizational standards. Manage projects to those standards.Adhere to the guidance and standards put forth by the AEP Project Management Governance Committee.Manage programs as assigned.Note: This posting represents two (2) vacancies posted at multiple grade levels that offer a range of opportunities for advancement. The minimum qualifications outlined below apply to the Project Manager level, with increased educational, skill, experience and certification requirements for higher level Project Managers.What We're Looking For:Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, Project Management, Computer Science, or related field of study dependent upon business unit requirements with three (3) years qualified experience ORTwo (2) year Associate's degree in the same required disciplines with five (5) years of qualified experience.In addition to the requirements above, three (3) years of qualified experience as a PROJECT MANAGER ASSOCIATE (Grade 6) as applicable is preferred, OR demonstrated competencies, knowledge, and skillset through achieved results in a shorter timeline.Qualified experience includes:Outage management activities, business/financial administration, major construction field experience, project estimating, project controls, project engineering, and/or comparable internal or external experience in a competitive production environment.Knowledge in construction safety, negotiations, scope development and control, cost estimating, construction contracting, project controls and reporting, and quality control would be beneficial.Experience in utilities, commercial nuclear power, and/or IT systems is favorable.PMP certification is preferred but not required. Certification is required for advancement to the Project Manager Principal level (grade 009) of this job family.Valid state driver's license is required.Other Requirements:Must develop and provide effective leadership, team building and meeting management skills as outlined by certifying body and the AEP leadership competencies and values.Must develop confidence in ability, and demonstrate the motivation and attitude, to lead a team and a project to successful conclusion.Must develop skill in and provide effective communication that is clear, direct, concise, and professional, including effective listening, with all stakeholders including team members, sponsors, management and senior management.Must develop understanding of, and begin to apply, economic analysis techniques. Develop an acumen for the business and profession with an emphasis on overall cost, schedule and risk management.Must develop understanding of the Engineering & Design, Procurement, Contracting, Estimating, Construction and Startup procedures and processes.Must begin to influence optimization of a project and ensure project team utilizes the latest applicable guidelines and requirements.Must develop a working knowledge of, and begin to demonstrate ability to apply, certifying body Project Management tools and techniques.Must develop and apply learned skillsets in strategic thinking, planning, risk assessment and prioritization of project activities. Globally view the project from all angles such as safety, constructability, sequence, changing conditions, contingencies, contractual, predictability, level of priority, sense of direction and sense of productivity to quickly identify and to avoid or to mitigate project risks.Support and progressively demonstrate ability to provide the organization of project activities, delegate project task assignments, confidently set team requirements and expectations to manage deliverables and hold team members accountable.Demonstrate willingness to provide constructive feedback to project team members.Must develop and hone conflict management skills to provide solutions to issues that maximize synergies with an overriding goal to do the "right thing" for the company.Must learn to take independent action and know when to elevate an issue.Must develop understanding and solid skills around the process of scope management, evaluation of technical options, and common project risk factors and mitigation methods.Must develop understanding and apply knowledge, and provide input and oversight, of the various documents used to procure labor, service, material, and engineered equipment.Must develop understanding and apply knowledge of contract components and development process.Must develop understanding and apply knowledge of critical drawing and document hand-offs between disciplines on a project team.Assist with, then lead the evaluation and determination of the skill sets and capabilities of team members then make recommendations to ensure project success.Act with integrity by demonstrating accountability for project assignments.Promote continuous improvement and maintain a strong questioning attitude by asking intrusive questions and challenge assumptions.Must seek input from Subject Matter Experts by asking questions for understanding and compare with one's own knowledge base.Safely and effectively Perform light physical duties: Duties can involve construction site walkdown on unstable surfaces, climbing ladders, and awareness of hazardous site conditionsPerform work at various AEP locations in varying conditions. Work sites may include: home, office, power plants and construction sites for Distribution, Transmission, Generation, and Telecom infrastructure.Travel typically 25% or less, however greater travel may be required in support of specific assignments.Understand and support the policies, values, principles, structure and behavior of AEPWhere You'll Work: On-SiteWhat You'll Get: $112,862 - $202,500 in addition to a competitive compensation, AEP offers a unique 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