Davis-Bacon Act (DBA) Federal Labor Compliance Lead

Job Summary

The Davis-Bacon Act (DBA) Federal Labor Compliance Lead serves as AEP's enterprise leader and subject matter expert for Davis-Bacon Act compliance across a portfolio of federally funded transmission, generation, and grid modernization investments totaling more than $24 billion in project value, supported by approximately $18.5 billion in U.S. Department of Energy loan financing and $440 million in federal grants.

This is a highly visible role that sits at the intersection of federal funding, construction, procurement, payroll, compliance, and project execution. The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership and governance for labor standards compliance across six DOE loan portfolios and numerous federal grant-funded initiatives, helping ensure AEP maintains full compliance with prevailing wage, certified payroll, apprenticeship, and labor reporting requirements while protecting access to billions of dollars in federal funding.

Working closely with executives, project teams, contractors, federal agencies, and external compliance partners, this individual will function as the program leader for enterprise-wide DBA compliance, overseeing implementation strategies, compliance frameworks, risk management activities, audits, reporting processes, and contractor engagement programs. While supported by external labor compliance consultants responsible for day-to-day administration, this role serves as the ultimate internal owner responsible for program oversight, continuous improvement, and successful execution.

The ideal candidate combines exceptional attention to detail with the ability to manage complex, multi-year programs involving numerous stakeholders, contractors, and regulatory requirements. Experience in Davis-Bacon Act compliance, certified payroll administration, prevailing wage reviews, construction payroll, labor standards compliance, large-scale program management, or federal grant and loan compliance is highly desirable.

This position offers a unique opportunity to help shape the compliance strategy supporting one of the nation's largest utility infrastructure investment programs while playing a critical role in advancing America's energy future.

Why This Role Matters

Few compliance roles offer the opportunity to influence projects of this magnitude and importance. The individual selected for this position will help oversee labor compliance for billions of dollars in infrastructure investments that support electric reliability, economic development, energy security, and grid modernization across AEP's footprint. Success in this role directly contributes to protecting access to federal funding and enabling some of the most significant energy projects currently underway in the utility industry.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The strongest candidates will likely bring a combination of

• Experience managing complex compliance, payroll, labor, construction, or federal funding programs.
• Strong knowledge of Davis-Bacon Act requirements, prevailing wage regulations, certified payroll reviews, and contractor compliance practices.
• Experience supporting large capital construction programs, infrastructure projects, utilities, energy companies, engineering firms, government agencies, or major contractors.
• Ability to coordinate across multiple stakeholders while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Experience evaluating payroll and fringe benefit structures and interpreting federal labor requirements.
• Strong project and program management skills with the ability to oversee multiple concurrent initiatives and compliance activities.
• Ability to communicate effectively with contractors, executives, external auditors, consultants, legal teams, and federal agencies.

Job Description

What You'll Do

Lead Enterprise Davis-Bacon Act Compliance for One of the Nation's Largest Utility Investment Portfolios with Federal Incentives

• Serve as AEP's strategic leader and subject matter expert for Davis-Bacon Act (DBA) compliance across a federally funded portfolio representing more than $24 billion in infrastructure investments , including $18.5 billion in DOE loan financing and $440 million in federal grants .
• Provide governance, oversight, and execution leadership for all prevailing wage, certified payroll, apprenticeship, and labor standards requirements associated with federally funded projects.
• Protect AEP's access to billions of dollars in federal funding by ensuring consistent, accurate, and compliant execution of DBA requirements across the enterprise.
• Monitor evolving federal labor requirements and lead implementation of compliance strategies, policies, and process improvements.

Direct a Complex, Multi-Stakeholder Compliance Program

• Function as the internal program manager for enterprise-wide DBA compliance, coordinating activities across Grants & Loans, Procurement, Payroll, Legal, Compliance, Project Development, Construction, and Operations teams.
• Lead AEP's engagement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), and other federal agencies on labor compliance matters.
• Oversee external labor compliance consultants and technology providers supporting day-to-day program administration while maintaining overall accountability for program success.
• Identify compliance risks, develop mitigation strategies, and drive resolution of complex labor compliance issues.

Oversee Contractor and Certified Payroll Compliance

• Partner with Procurement and project teams to ensure federal labor requirements are properly incorporated into contracts, amendments, and contractor communications.
• Direct AEP's certified payroll compliance program, ensuring timely, accurate, and complete reporting from contractors and subcontractors across multiple projects and jurisdictions.
• Oversee implementation and continuous improvement of AEP's DBA compliance systems, data management processes, and reporting capabilities.
• Ensure labor compliance documentation is audit-ready and capable of withstanding federal review.

Support Major Infrastructure Projects that Shape the Future of Energy

• Provide labor compliance leadership for transmission, generation, and grid modernization projects that strengthen reliability, support economic development, and advance the nation's energy infrastructure.
• Develop executive-level reporting, compliance dashboards, and program metrics to inform leadership decisions and demonstrate compliance performance.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, consistency, and scalability across AEP's federal labor compliance program.

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role

• Exceptional attention to detail coupled with the ability to lead large, complex programs involving numerous stakeholders, contractors, and regulatory requirements.
• Experience managing high-visibility compliance, payroll, labor relations, construction, or federal funding programs.
• Knowledge of Davis-Bacon Act requirements, certified payroll administration, prevailing wage regulations, construction payroll, or labor compliance programs is highly desirable.
• Ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into practical, executable business processes and compliance frameworks.

This is a unique opportunity to own and shape the labor compliance strategy supporting one of the largest federally funded utility infrastructure portfolios in the United States while helping advance AEP's transformative energy investments.

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, 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 .

Other Must Haves

• Working knowledge of the Davis-Bacon Act, prevailing wage laws, and federal procurement processes.
• Strong attention to detail with proven ability to interpret and apply complex federal labor standards. Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with internal teams and external partners.
• Proficiency with LCPTracker or similar certified payroll management systems.
• Program management experience, including leading cross-functional teams, managing complex projects, and overseeing compliance, reporting, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Experience supporting DOE or other federal infrastructure grants or loans.
• Familiarity with unionized craft labor environments.
• Demonstrated success implementing new compliance management systems or tools.
• PMP is preferred.

Personal Attributes

• Highly organized and proactive, with strong follow-through and accountability.
• Collaborative and solutions-oriented; able to work effectively across functions.
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• Committed to upholding AEP’s values of integrity, compliance, and operational excellence.
• Self-starter who facilitates gathering details and executing tasks with limited guidance and support.
• Demonstrates a strong work ethic and commitment to compliance who remains engaged and ensures compliance, even when additional time and effort are required beyond typical expectations.​

Where You'll Work

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

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What You'll Get

• Salary Range between: $116,000-$140,000
• 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

$116,255.00 - $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.