Federal Loan Portfolio Project Manager (Senior or Principal)

Job Summary

Join AEP's industry-leading Grants & Loans Program team as a Federal Loan Portfolio Project Manager, where you will play a key role in advancing some of the nation's most significant energy infrastructure investments. This position supports AEP's growing portfolio of projects financed through the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Dominance Financing (EDF) and serves as a critical link between project development, loan origination, portfolio management, compliance, and stakeholder engagement.

As a member of a high-impact team, you will help manage a portfolio of transmission and generation projects throughout the loan lifecycle, from application development and due diligence through financial close, construction, operational monitoring, and ongoing compliance. Working closely with the Loan Portfolio Manager, Loan Contract Manager, Transmission and Generation organizations, and Procurement, you will play a pivotal role in managing innovative, high-impact projects supported by federal financing.

The successful candidate will serve as a key integrator and will collaborate with executives, business leaders, finance, legal, engineering, and external partners to help advance some of AEP's most significant transmission and generation investments. This role requires the ability to navigate multiple large-scale initiatives simultaneously while providing strategic insight, risk identification, and proactive coordination across a diverse portfolio.

Candidates with experience managing large electric utility portfolios, major capital projects, transmission infrastructure programs, power generation facilities, or other complex energy infrastructure investments are strongly encouraged to apply. The ideal candidate will bring experience operating in highly regulated environments and have a demonstrated ability to coordinate cross-functional teams responsible for project execution, financing, compliance, risk management, and operational performance.

Experience supporting federal funding programs, federal loan or grant requirements, regulatory compliance initiatives, or other government-funded infrastructure projects is highly desirable. Candidates who have successfully navigated complex reporting, audit, eligibility, or compliance requirements associated with federal programs will be particularly well-positioned for success in this role.

This is an exceptional opportunity to help shape the future of the electric grid while supporting projects that represent billions of dollars in strategic investment across AEP's service territory and advancing some of the nation's most important energy infrastructure initiatives.

Preferred Experience: Demonstrated success managing large-scale electric utility, transmission, generation, EPC, or energy infrastructure portfolios with capital investments exceeding $100 million, including responsibility for executive reporting, portfolio governance, schedule oversight, stakeholder coordination, risk management, and compliance. Experience with DOE, FEMA, USDA, FTA, FHWA, or other federally funded programs, including associated audit, reporting, and regulatory requirements, is preferred.

We are committed to finding the right person for this opportunity. Candidates with the skills and experience to help lead some of the nation's most significant energy infrastructure investments may be considered at the Grant Consultant, Senior Grant Consultant, or Principal Grant Consultant level, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Job Description

What You'll Do

Portfolio Leadership & Project Coordination

Manage and support a portfolio of large-scale transmission and generation investments representing hundreds of millions to billions of dollars in capital investment across AEP's operating companies, helping advance some of the nation's most significant electric grid modernization, reliability, and generation projects. Coordinate and manage projects supported by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) financing, partnering with project teams, business units, and executive leadership to ensure projects advance in alignment with strategic objectives, financing requirements, and established schedules.

DOE Energy Dominance Financing (EDF) Portfolio Compliance

Serve as a key steward of compliance for assigned transmission and generation project portfolios. Ensure project documentation, approvals, reporting, and operational activities satisfy DOE requirements while supporting AEP's commitment to strong governance and regulatory excellence.

Project Eligibility & Due Diligence Management

Lead the coordination of project eligibility reviews, due diligence activities, and supporting analyses required for inclusion in the DOE-financed portfolio. Work across multiple disciplines to facilitate timely approvals and project advancement.

Documentation & Regulatory Readiness

Collaborate with environmental, engineering, project management, legal, procurement, and finance teams to develop, organize, and maintain critical loan and compliance documentation. Ensure records are complete, audit-ready, and capable of withstanding regulatory and lender review.

Schedule & Milestone Management

Coordinate and advance portfolio schedules, monitor key milestones, identify risks to execution, and proactively drive resolution of issues that could impact project eligibility, financing requirements, regulatory commitments, or construction schedules.

Executive & Stakeholder Engagement

Partner with utility executives, project sponsors, engineering leaders, finance professionals, legal counsel, procurement teams, consultants, and federal agencies to facilitate decision-making and advance strategic infrastructure investments.

Risk Identification & Mitigation

Identify project, compliance, schedule, and financing risks across the portfolio. Develop mitigation strategies and coordinate corrective actions to support successful project execution and long-term portfolio performance.

Portfolio Reporting & Governance

Develop executive-level status reports, portfolio dashboards, and compliance updates that provide leadership with clear visibility into project performance, emerging risks, key decisions, and critical milestones.

Federal Compliance & Audit Readiness

Support ongoing compliance monitoring activities, lender reviews, reporting requirements, audits, and documentation requests. Help ensure projects remain eligible for federal financing and continue to meet applicable loan requirements throughout the project lifecycle.

Support EDF Loan Administration

Partner with the Loan Portfolio Manager, Grant Compliance Manager, and Loan Contract Manager to support loan originations, portfolio management activities, financing requirements, compliance obligations, contract administration, and ongoing portfolio oversight.

Federal Agency Relationship Management

Develop and maintain productive working relationships with DOE EDF personnel and external stakeholders. Serve as a trusted point of coordination to support project advancement, portfolio performance, and compliance excellence.

Cross-Functional Leadership

Coordinate and influence multidisciplinary teams across Transmission, Generation, Engineering, Environmental Services, Finance, Legal, Procurement, Regulatory, and Operations organizations to successfully execute complex projects in a highly regulated environment.

What We're Looking For

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Technology, Management, Business or Engineering or Associate’s degree in same disciplines.

Experience

• With a Bachelor’s degree, five (5) years of grant writing, project management, or business development experience; OR, With an Associate’s degree and seven (7) years of related experience mentioned above (Grant Consultant)
• With a Bachelor’s degree, seven (7) years of grant writing, project management, or business development experience; OR, With an Associate’s degree and nine (9) years of related experience mentioned above (Grant Consultant Senior)
• With a Bachelor’s degree, nine (9) years of grant writing, project management, or business development experience; OR, With an Associate’s degree and eleven (11) years of related experience mentioned above (Grant Consultant Principal)
• PMP is desired.

Other Must Haves

• Familiarity with transmission and generation‑related functions, terminology, and workflows in an electric utility setting or related construction fields.
• Familiarity with federal loan application and compliance processes, as well as relevant regulations and compliance requirements.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Proficiency in project management software and tools.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical skills.
• Leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to learn new things and take action quickly.

Where You'll Work

• This is an On-Site role based out of Columbus, OH.

What You'll Get

• Salary Range between:

• -$87,000-$102,000 (Grant Consultant)
• -$100,000-$118,000 (Grant Consultant Senior)
• -$116,000-$140,000 (Grant Consultant Principal)

• Annual Bonus
• 401(k) Match
• AEP Pension
• Comprehensive Benefits Package

Where Putting the Customer First Powers Everything We Do!

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

Compensation Data

Compensation Grade

SP20-009

Compensation Range

$87,633.00 - $151,132.50

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.