Senior Manager, Stakeholder Relations

The Senior Manager, Stakeholder Relations will report to the Sr. Director, Project Development and will be responsible for engagement with key stakeholders associated with several of the company’s utility-scale solar PV and energy storage projects in the Western U.S. The candidate will work closely and take direction from the Project Development and RGA teams to identify stakeholders at the local, county, and state level, create comprehensive stakeholder engagement plans, and execute on tactical and coordinated stakeholder engagement throughout the project lifecycle. The candidate will coordinate with internal teams and external consultants to ensure stakeholder engagement efforts result in successful project permitting and enhance the company’s reputation. The ideal candidate will be organized and detail-oriented while also exceling at communication, relationship building, creative thinking, and problem solving.

What You’ll Do

• Manage stakeholder engagement efforts for several high-profile projects in the Western U.S.
• For new projects, conduct research to identify key stakeholders, then work closely with the Project Development team to create a comprehensive stakeholder engagement plan.
• Stakeholders will often include landowners, neighbors, elected officials, government bodies, industry groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), American Indian tribes, community organizations, organized opponent/supporter groups, etc.
• Conduct initial meetings with stakeholders to understand their issues and concerns regarding actual or perceived project impacts; open the door and lay the foundation for the Project development team to engage proactively to address issues and concerns.
• Maintain consistent touch points with stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle, applying personal touches to enhance relationships and create trust. Build coalitions of support among as many stakeholders as possible.
• Track or manage stakeholder tracking efforts, carefully documenting contact information, personal profiles, issues, stances, touch points, agreements, and commitments made.
• Help stakeholders climb the ladder of engagement to become vocal champions for the project.
• Create or manage the creation of project-level collateral materials: fact sheets, mailers, giveaways, posters for community meetings, etc.
• Develop or manage the development of project-level digital marketing assets: websites, social media, promotional videos, etc.
• Organize and lead community information meetings, providing a platform for the Project Development team to present project information clearly and effectively.
• Monitor or manage the monitoring of local and regional media coverage of the project, collaborating with the External Communications team on proactive and timely responses.

Must-Haves

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in communications, public affairs, community relations, or marketing in the renewable energy industry.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking and conflict resolution.
• Ability to engage with a variety of stakeholder types and personalities, read the room, and deliver the right message, the right way, every time.
• Self-starter, ability to see around corners and tackle issues proactively and positively.
• Experience leading and navigating multi-disciplinary teams to get to decisions efficiently.

Education and Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Working Environment and Physical Demand

• Willing and able to travel 25-50% of the time.
• Strong preference for candidates based in the Western U.S.