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National Grid is hiring a Regional Manager of External Affairs for the Western New York Region. The position will be located in our Buffalo office.

Every day we deliver safe and secure energy to homes, communities, and businesses. We are there when people need us most. We connect people to the energy they need for the lives they live. The pace of change in society and our industry is accelerating and our expertise and track record puts us in an unparalleled position to shape the sustainable future of our industry.

To be successful we must work collaboratively with our key stakeholders, advance and protect the Company’s reputation, anticipate the needs of our customers, reducing the cost of energy delivery today and pioneering the flexible energy systems of tomorrow. This requires us to deliver on our promises and always look for new opportunities to grow, both ourselves and our business

Job Purpose

This role is seen as a critical strategically important role within National Grid. The individual will be the primary external face of the company within their respective region, while supporting community engagement, local government relations, local community investment, and mitigating reputational risk amongst the most senior elected officials. This individual will also be responsible for supporting the advancement of the Company’s Communications Strategy in collaboration with the Communications team, collaborating with the Economic Development group to advise on decisions related to the Company’s Eco Dev programming, and helping to drive National Grid’s future operation and policy priorities by influencing and managing decision makers at a state and regional level.

Responsibilities include leading the accountability for the two-way relationship between National Grid and the communities we serve in Western New York. Overseeing and strategically driving community relations activities in support of business goals established by the company, and acting as the advocate of the needs and interests of communities we serve to internal National Grid departments and leadership. Also, efficient deployment of Company resources to achieve strategic goals, collaborating with other groups internally on key accountabilities to deliver first class customer service and representing National Grid on organizational boards that strategically enhance relationships, advance regional economic development initiatives and/or are positioned to advocate in partnership with National Grid on key issues tied to energy delivery (chambers of commerce, business organizations, etc.), and inform the company’s local community investment plans.

Key Accountabilities

• Support the development and implementation of proactive strategies to ensure strong key stakeholder relationships are established and maintained, including with local government officials, civic organizations, not for profit organizations and community members.

• Support implementation of strategies to build, maintain, protect and ensure a solid reputation for National Grid’s reputation as an industry leader in energy and the environment by managing the interests of industry and business associations, environmental groups, and other stakeholders.

• Initiate and cultivate strong working relationships with internal National Grid departments to build and promote National Grid’s standing with business, government, and community leaders.

• Develop and communicate key campaign strategies, policies, and community initiatives externally to promote, advance and protect National Grid interests in New York State.

• Manage relationships with local government officials and lobbying activity for certain Counties within and around the Western New York Region to create the environment to advance policy and other priorities at the local and state levels. Collaborate with the State and Federal Government Relations team on legislative and policy priorities.

• Coordinate with the Communications team on media and public relations matters and opportunities. Plan and execute communications and engagement programs to advance the mission and enhance market visibility and messaging, and to promote the Company’s community investments.

• Support local community investments. Provide input on strategy, plan and execution of local community giving programs that align to the Company’s priorities in an efficient manner. Support implementation of key corporate initiatives such as Project C [Grid for Good], clean energy transition and various project initiative for proactive community engagement.

• Collaborate with the Company’s Economic Development team to maximize company’s economic development grant programs, aligning to company priorities.

• Support external engagement in key internal operational, regulatory and strategic company initiatives, including rate cases and efforts to advance the clean energy transition.

• Build, manage and maintain coalitions in the Western New York region to advance the Company’s priorities.

• Monitor and advise on local issues. Identify trends, issues and opportunities as strategic input to influence senior Executives to integrate change management and culture transformation initiatives.

• Lead the regional external coordination and execution of the Company’s emergency management response plans, in conjunction with Emergency Response Plan during events where service interruptions or other incidents have occurred. Lead all interactions with local elected officials, municipal emergency managers, critical facility customers and key stakeholders. This position will have a dedicated storm/emergency response roll.

• Stay abreast of best practices and trends in external affairs and community relations, and be cognizant of the needs of social justice, equity, and disadvantage communities from both external sources and local agency activities.

• Provide input on the organization’s strategy action plans to assist in hitting key milestones in order to accomplish goals and impact growth.

• Liaise with the Company’s Customer team regarding Customer managed accounts with strategic value to the Company.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher with 5-7 years of experience in business, marketing, public administration, government affairs, public and or community relations.

• Demonstrated success in external affairs and/or lobbying activity.

• Experience interacting with senior executives internally and externally.

• Substantive experience in building strong partnerships with stakeholders.

• Experience with successful Corporate Giving programs and their governance.

• Must possess strong management skills, excellent verbal, and written communication skills along with the ability to write reports and develop presentations for senior management as required.

• Experience in crisis or external emergency management.

• Must possess exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to provide positive influence in customer and community matters, as well as facilitate the resolution of internal and external issues/conflicts.

• In depth experience of working and influencing in a large complex organization, working in a collaborative manner to address and plan stakeholder engagement.

• Understanding of the environment and key external industry and non-industry stakeholders which relate to and have an impact on the utilities sector (governmental, regulatory, communities, agencies, industry bodies).

• Able to manage and explain complex, competing issues working with and through others - maintaining alignment with National Grid strategic direction and goals.

• Significant pre-existing network in the Western New York Region of current relationships, including those with the Company’s key stakeholders. Ability to scale relationships to non-traditional stakeholders.

• Exceptional networking skills, including the ability to influence and negotiate with a range of external stakeholders (individuals, agencies and groups).

• A strategic and proactive leader and influencer.

• Energy utility experienced preferred.

More Information

#LI-MR1 #LI-HYBRID

Salary

$105k - $124k a year

This position has a career path which provides for advancement opportunities within and across bands as you develop and evolve in the position; gaining experience, expertise and acquiring and applying technical skills. Candidates will be assessed and provided offers against the minimum qualifications of this role and their individual experience.

National Grid is an equal opportunity employer that values a broad diversity of talent, knowledge, experience and expertise.  We foster a culture of inclusion that drives employee engagement to deliver superior performance to the communities we serve.  National Grid is proud to be an affirmative action employer. We encourage minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to join the National Grid team.