Finance Strategic Initiatives Senior​/Principal

Finance Strategic Initiatives Senior/Principal

Take your career to the next level in a supportive, fast-moving environment where your work matters. The Finance Strategic Initiatives Senior/Principal offers the opportunity to shape high-impact finance and accounting initiatives across the organization. This role drives transformation efforts, operating model improvements and other strategic projects that modernize how Finance works. You will also serve as a key partner with IT and business leaders to enhance existing financial applications and help plan and manage the implementation of new solutions.

In this highly collaborative role, the individual will partner with AEP operating companies, Accounting, Tax, Corporate FP&A, Risk Management, Regulatory, Executive Management, and other corporate departments to solve complex business challenges and deliver meaningful results.

What You'll Do:

• Lead and support high-priority finance and accounting initiatives that improve how the organization works and makes decisions.
• Drive process improvement efforts that use data, technology, and thoughtful design to create measurable efficiency gains.
• Serve as strategic partner to finance, accounting, controls, IT, and business partners to move important projects from idea to execution.
• Provide project leadership across multiple concurrent initiatives, adapting quickly to changing priorities while maintaining focus on execution, governance, and results.
• Develop and execute change management and stakeholder engagement plans that support successful adoption of new processes and tools.
• Build strong relationships across Finance, Accounting, and business teams to create alignment and momentum.
• Provide thoughtful analysis and actionable recommendations to leadership, business partners, and project teams on complex financial and operational matters.
• Prepare, review, and improve internal management reporting to help leaders make informed decisions using accurate financial data.
• Identify risks, assess business impacts, and communicate insights clearly to project teams and leadership.
• Translate business needs into requirements, drive effective solutions, and facilitate productive conversations between business and technical teams.

What We're Looking For:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance or accounting.

Experience:

• Minimum of three (3) years of post-grad experience in finance/business, transformation/process improvement or accounting workforce. (Finance Strategic Initiatives Senior)
• Minimum of four (4) years of post-grad experience in finance/business, transformation/process improvement or accounting workforce. (Finance Strategic Initiatives Principal)

Other Must Haves:

• Strong business curiosity and a solid foundation in finance, accounting, and tax concepts.
• Experience improving processes and using modern technology to make work simpler, faster, or more insightful.
• Interest in data analytics and confidence using data to identify trends, answer questions, and support decisions.
• Experience coordinating projects across multiple teams and keeping work moving toward clear outcomes.
• Detail-oriented problem solver who can break down complex issues, think logically, and drive practical solutions.
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities, adapting to change, and staying focused in a fast-moving environment.
• Collaborative teammate with strong organization, time management, and follow-through.
• Clear communicator who can explain ideas, updates, and recommendations effectively in writing and conversation.
• Exposure to the utility industry is a plus, along with an interest in learning how a complex business operates.
• Growth mindset with a desire to keep learning, build new skills, and take on meaningful challenges.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint;
  People Soft experience is a plus.
• Strong ability to work across teams while managing time, priorities, and deliverables effectively.
• Continuous improvement mindset with adaptability, creativity, initiative, and openness to new ways of working.
• Working knowledge of agile and waterfall project approaches is a plus.

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 (Finance Strategic Initiatives Senior) $102,000-$125,000 (Finance Strategic Initiatives 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.