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Job Posting End Date

08-18-2025

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

Job Summary

The External Affairs Manager is responsible for oversight and implementation of local and county governmental affairs and community relations. This position also serves as AEP's primary community field contact.

Job Description

What you’ll do:

+ Provide strong, enabling leadership, serving as team lead in the development of company strategies and policies necessary to build effective local government and community relations.

+ Serve as local government contact and liaison working with respective business units to advocate corporate positions and influence public policy.

+ Strategically build, maintain and manage key municipal government, environmental, development and community contacts and relationships.

+ Manage, coordinate and facilitate solutions to emerging strategic community and business development issues, e.g. franchises, quality of service, ROW, permits, ordinances/resolutions, taxes, siting, commission complaints, environmental and other regulatory issues.

+ Play a vital role in supporting company's development priorities through various avenues, such as policy advocacy, community preparedness/site readiness and working with I&M’s economic development team to coordinate regional/local economic development activities.

+ Provide support to Distribution and Transmission in outage situations, serving as the primary community and public emergency management contact as per the OPCO's Incident Command System (ICS) Plan.

+ Serve as AEP's local grassroots facilitator; support legislative and regulatory initiatives of key importance to operating company and AEP's business and public policy needs and effectively advocate company positions.

+ Maintain strong relationships with local executive management team, local distribution and transmission managers, corporate communications representatives, and regulatory and governmental affairs representatives.

+ Manage local level charitable and corporate contributions and memberships.

+ Assist in the developing, organizing and implementing corporate policy and strategy for overall effective municipal representation by educating local elected officials, their staff and local government as to the goals, objectives and needs of the Corporation.

+ Must demonstrate the highest standards of ethical behavior and support the Company's Corporate Compliance Policies.

What we’re looking for

Education requirements are listed below:

+ Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Engineering, Public Policy, Communications or other related degree.

+ Master's degree desirable.

Work Experience requirement listed below:

+ Minimum of seven years' related experience in Customer Services, Community Relations, Economic & Business Development, Government Relations, Generation, Transmission or Distribution Utility Operations.

+ Utility industry related experience preferred.

Required License(s)/Certification(s) are listed below:

+ Must have a valid Driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

+ Demonstrated communications and presentation skills.

+ Excellent written and verbal communications skills.

+ Must be able to travel to various locations for extended periods and work late into the evenings.

+ Must possess demonstrated ability to successfully build strategic internal and external relationships, possess political acumen, and display strong initiative to manage resources, projects and issues across business units, committees and task forces (both internal and external to the Company).

+ Demonstrated successful leadership.

+ Must be able to see information on computer screen and use computer keyboard.

+ Must be able to hear spoken words via telephone, cell phone or during individual or group meetings.

What you’ll get:

+ 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.

The power of AEP comes from our valued team of unique employees….the best in the business! We’re proud to be one of the largest electric energy companies in the U.S., powering over 5 million homes and businesses, spanning across 11 states. We’re passionate about making an innovative difference in the communities we serve. We’re powering the future – today!

\#AEPIM

\#AEP

Compensation Data

Compensation Grade:

SP20-009

Compensation Range:

$112,869.00-146,730.50 USD

The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S – Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

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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.