WGL - Lead Public Affairs (MD)

Job Description

WGL - Lead Public Affairs (MD)

Champion Washington Gas's Interests as you engage with state and local governments, and key business and trade organizations. Craft and drive an impactful annual public policy strategy and public affairs program agenda that shapes legislative initiatives at both state and local levels. Collaborate with influential business coalitions to steer public policy outcomes in favor of Washington Gas.Represent Washington Gas's interests in Maryland and beyond, working with key local and regional business and trade organizations. Develop and execute dynamic public policy strategies and advocacy programs that address critical legislative initiatives.

You Will:

• Conduct legislative and policy analysis to determine impact on the company and develops public policy strategies

• Coordinate the day-to-day execution of approved advocacy strategies before local legislative and executive branch audiences and Maryland to influence desired business outcomes

• Establish and maintain key state and local public policy and business relationships for the Company

• Develop strategies which may lead to new business opportunities for Washington Gas business units

• Network with pertinent business organizations and industry advocates to anticipate and advise on emerging public policy issues and trends that may impact Washington Gas at the state and local government levels

• Keep abreast of and disseminates information concerning state and local public policy and business initiatives affecting the Company

• Maintain key internal relationships with Company business units

• Provide policy analyses and action recommendations to senior company officials and executives

• Serve as liaison to state and local elected officials and their staff on constituent service inquiries and addresses such inquiries timely and effectively

• Negotiate external public affairs vendor agreements and manages external contract lobbyists

• Under minimal supervision, responsible for assisting in the strategy for public policy strategy in leading the company's public policy planning framework

• Serve as the key lobbyists and point of contact for state, and county-level policy strategies before Maryland, and local policy officials

• Coordinate and provide recommendations and counsel to senior executives in the coordination of public policy strategies

• Serve as liaison with local government and state agencies

• Monitor bills, speeches, and statements of government leaders and legislators

• Often serve as witness in writing, reviewing and testifying for hearings

• Be recognized as an expert in own area within the company on legislative challenges and recommendations

• Act as change agent for driving legislative and public policy agenda to enhance company objectives and strategy

• Act as an advisor to legislative stakeholders on company’s interest and questions

• Act as a mediator between legislators and constituents involving matters of company issues or concerns

You Have:

• Bachelor's Degree Political Science, Business Administration or related field required

• Master's Degree preferred

• 7+ Years experience in state and community relations required

• Demonstrated working knowledge of federal, state, and local legislative processes

• Demonstrated ability to negotiate successfully with state and community leaders to achieve desired business outcomes

• Demonstrated ability to evaluate multiple scenarios and implement effective solutions to broadly defined business problems

• Demonstrated ability to present complex ideas logically and concisely to diverse audiences at all organizational levels both verbally and in writing

• Demonstrated high level of business acumen and knowledge of business strategy, process and energy industry policy issues

• Demonstrated ability to establish rapport and effective working relationships with business partners, supervisors, and peers

• Demonstrated ability to influence/winning support of government personnel and local and regional business representatives

We offer a competitive salary range of $130,500 to $179,625 per year, commensurate with experience, education, and skills. In addition, we provide a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.

For Canadian hires: AltaGas hires personnel on the basis of job-related qualifications. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to a person's ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, record of offences, marital status, family status or disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.