Telecom Manager – Telecom Systems Management

Location:

2 Locations

Telecom Systems Management (TSM) is responsible for establishing, leading, and maturing a newly formed team that serves as the standards, automation, compliance, and governance authority for AEP’s critical telecom and network infrastructure. This role provides leadership across network tool administration and automation, data integrity, configuration governance, system auditing, and regulatory compliance, including a focus on NERC CIP–related controls. The manager will build the team from early formation into a sustainable, trusted, enterprise capability that bridges gaps between network engineering and network operations, enabling consistency, risk reduction, and operational excellence.

Telecom Systems Management is explicitly positioned as a partner organization—augmenting, not replacing, Engineering and Operations—by delivering practical standards, automated compliance tooling, and clear governance processes that protect the electric grid while supporting delivery velocity.

What you’ll do:

Essential Job Functions & Tasks

• Organizational & People Leadership-Build and lead the Telecom Systems Management team from initial formation into a mature, high‑performing organization with clear roles, strong accountability, and a culture of partnership, continuous improvement, and practical security.
• Standards, Automation, and Governance-Establish and govern auditable network and telecom standards while driving automation and self‑service tools that enable consistent, scalable compliance across engineering and operations.
• Data Integrity & System of Record Management-Ensure the accuracy, consistency, and governance of telecom and network systems of record by defining authoritative data practices that reduce operational risk and improve audit confidence.
• Audit, Compliance, and Risk Management-Lead continuous compliance monitoring and audit‑ready practices to identify, assess, and remediate engineering and regulatory risk, including NERC CIP obligations.
• Cross‑Functional Partnership-Serve as the primary bridge between Network Engineering, Telecom Engineering, and Network Operations, aligning teams through influence, consultation, and enablement to achieve shared outcomes in security, reliability, and compliance.
• Strategic ownership and governance of AEP’s network monitoring and management ecosystem, establishing the roadmap for best‑in‑class tools, and operational practices that deliver real‑time visibility, proactive performance management, and rapid incident response across telecom and network infrastructure supporting the reliable operation of the electric grid.

What we’re looking for:

Education /Work experience requirements are listed below:

• Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Science, or a related field and 8 years of Telecommunications experience or
• Associate degree in these fields combined with a minimum of 12 years of applicable Telecommunications experience, or
• HS diploma/GED combined with a minimum of 16 years of applicable Telecommunications experience.

Other preferences:

• Applicable technical certifications preferred.
• Proven ability to build organizations, operating models, and governance frameworks from early‑stage concepts.
• Experience with network and telecom platforms such as IP/MPLS, transport systems, EMS/NMS tools, and related automation and analyticsframeworks.

What you’ll get:

Base Salary from $136,539-$177,503/year. 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.

At AEP, we’re more than just an energy company — we’re a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering safe, reliable, and…