Vice President of Nuclear Development Government Affairs

Job Posting End Date08-28-2026Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.Job Summary The Vice President of Nuclear Development Government Affairs is a senior leadership role within AEP’s Nuclear Development organization, which is responsible for shaping and advancing the company’s legislative and regulatory strategy for new nuclear generation long term growth. This role provides the strategic legislative and regulatory vision, leadership, and execution needed to support the development and deployment of new nuclear generation, including next generation nuclear technologies, and ensures alignment across AEP’s regulated jurisdictions.The Vice President will lead the development of legislative and regulatory strategy for Nuclear Development, translating the organization’s project delivery model, technical planning, and customer needs into actionable legislative and regulatory pathways. The Vice President will be responsible for the execution of legislative and regulatory strategy to support business objectives while fostering AEP’s core principle of regulatory and legislative integrity. The role requires deep understanding of utility regulation, exceptional strategic thinking, and the ability to anticipate regulatory challenges and opportunities that influence nuclear development timelines, cost recovery, and stakeholder support.Job DescriptionWhat you'll do:Regulatory Strategy & ExecutionDevelop and lead AEP’s regulatory strategy for nuclear development across all regulated jurisdictions.Translate the nuclear project delivery model into clear, actionable regulatory plans, filings, and engagement strategies needed to secure regulatory approvals.Collaborate with AEP operating companies to ensure alignment between nuclear development activities and jurisdictional regulatory frameworks, expectations, and precedents.Anticipate regulatory risks and opportunities and advise senior leadership on mitigation options.Collaborate with AEP operating companies and other organizations to develop cost recovery strategies that reflect customer needs, system benefits, and long-term value creation.Legislative Strategy & AdvocacyDevelop and lead the legislative affairs strategy for Nuclear Development at both the state and federal levels, ensuring alignment with AEP’s broader government affairs priorities.Build and maintain strong relationships with governors’ offices, state legislators, congressional delegations, and relevant committees to advance policies that enable nuclear deployment.Monitor legislative activity affecting nuclear development, including siting, permitting, financing, incentives, workforce, and energy policy.Coordinate AEP’s legislative positions, testimony, and policy materials for hearings, briefings, and stakeholder engagements.Collaborate closely with AEP’s federal and state Government Affairs teams to ensure seamless alignment between legislative, regulatory, and business strategies.Stakeholder Engagement & RepresentationRepresent AEP’s Nuclear Development strategy before state commissions, regulatory staff, legislative bodies, and other key governmental and industry stakeholders.Build and maintain strong, constructive relationships with regulatory and legislative entities to support transparency, trust, and credibility.Coordinate closely with jurisdictional regulatory teams and government affairs teams to ensure consistent messaging across all forums.Strategic Leadership & CollaborationServe as the senior regulatory and legislative advisor to the President, Nuclear Development and the Nuclear Development leadership team.Collaborate with internal teams, including engineering, finance, legal, customer operations, communications and external affairs, to integrate policy strategy into project planning and execution.Guide cross-functional teams to ensure regulatory and legislative milestones are understood, tracked, and achieved.Provide leadership in shaping AEP’s nuclear narrative for customers, regulators, policymakers, and industry partners.Regulatory & Legislative Policy DevelopmentMonitor emerging regulatory and legislative trends, federal and state policy initiatives, and industry developments relevant to nuclear energy.Develop policy recommendations that position AEP to benefit from evolving nuclear policy frameworks, incentives, and technological advancements.Influence national and state policy development in coordination with AEP’s federal affairs and state government affairs teams and through strategic engagement with industry associations, coalitions, and government organizations.What we’re looking for:EducationBachelor’s degree requiredAdvanced degree preferred (e.g., JD, MBA, public policy, engineering)Experience15+ years of experience in utility regulation, energy policy, legislative affairs, nuclear project development, or related fields.Demonstrated experience developing regulatory and/or legislative strategy for major infrastructure or generation projects, ideally including nuclear.Experience working with state utility commissions, legislative bodies, and regulatory staff across multiple jurisdictions strongly preferred.Additional RequirementsExceptional strategic thinking and the ability to distill complex technical issues into compelling regulatory narratives.Strong understanding of customer needs, regulatory frameworks, legislative processes, and cost recovery mechanisms.Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship building skills.Ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive alignment in a complex, multi-jurisdictional environment.Demonstrated executive presence and ability to engage effectively with senior leaders, regulators, and external stakeholders.What you’ll get:Base Salary Annual BonusLong Term Incentive401KAEP PensionComprehensive Benefits PackageAt 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!Compensation DataCompensation Grade:SP20-014Compensation Range:$260,109.00 - $338,142.00The 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. 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.SummaryLocation: Columbus, OH; Washington, DCType: Full time