Senior Community Relations Manager - Minneapolis, MN Job

Location(s): MN - Minneapolis

Are you looking for an exciting job where you can put your skills, talents and education to work at a company you can feel proud to be a part of? Do you want a workplace that will challenge you and offer you opportunities to learn and grow? A professional position at Xcel Energy could be just what you're looking for.

We have an opening for a Senior Community Relations Manager for Minneapolis/Hennepin County.

Position Summary

Manage effective working relationships with the municipalities, counties, and related key community organizations in the Company's most densely populated and strongest customer concentrated municipalities and counties to: enhance the Company's image; obtain / retain our franchise agreements; increase throughput by assisting in local economic vitality; and protect the Company's operational assets within the community; community and economic development; and public affairs. Ombudsman for resolving neighborhood-level outage complaints. Work strategically within complex political structures enhancing strategic relationships with various related boards, commissions, committees, councils, coalitions, etc.

Essential Responsibilities

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with local / county / state governments, keeping them informed of Company work practices, decisions, etc., impacting their communities. Act as executive leadership proxy and build relationships with assigned communities through proactive professional contact with elected officials, community leaders, city officials and county boards. Maintain a comprehensive understanding of local issues, responding with urgency to community requests and concerns. Lead Company's decision-making process on controversial community issues.
• Protect Company critical business interests. Initiate, negotiate and obtain, and ensure implementation of gas and/or electric franchise agreements and facilitate process for obtaining complex project permit approvals, buy understanding and communicating potential impacts of proposed and enacted regulations. Keep community officials and leaders informed of critical industry issues, Company policies and emergency situations. Monitor and deter competitive service threats, i.e. municipalization, challenges to the regulatory compact, etc.
• Ensure Company participation in key community-based organizations and initiatives. Manage Company financial support for key community organizations. Manage discretionary contributions program for assigned area and provide input to corporate contributions.
• Ombudsman for resolving neighborhood-level outage complaints. Lead resolution of community/neighborhood outage concerns and work with Company departments to ensure timely restoration. Provide regular internal communications about community interaction regarding ongoing investigations or work plans, as appropriate.
• Enhance Company growth opportunities and disseminate materials related to changes to the community. Provide leadership and support to state, regional and local community economic development and community development initiatives and organizations; initiating and supporting Company Economic Development projects and programs. Promote sales of Company programs/services/products.

Minimum Requirements

• College degree in related field or equivalent experience.
• 8-10 years of proven strategic relationship cultivation and management experience.
• Project management experience required.
• Understanding of Company policies, procedures, and functions desirable.
• Very strong interpersonal skills are critical.
• Ability to work with complex issues in a public setting.
• Ability to work independently and be a self-starter.
• Must be willing to work non-traditional hours to attend council meetings, etc.

As a leading combination electricity and natural gas energy company, Xcel Energy offers a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity and 1.9 million natural gas customers across eight Western and Midwestern states. At Xcel Energy, we strive to be the preferred and trusted provider of the energy our customers need. If you're ready to be a part of something big, we invite you to join our team.

Posting Notes: MN - Minneapolis || MN - Minneapolis || United States (US) || OpCos || 08100:Community Service || Full-Time || Non-Bargaining ||

The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $100,000 to $142,000 per year

Click here to see our benefits

Requisition Number: 37601

Equal Opportunity Employer: Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran

Individuals with a disability who need an accommodation to apply please contact us at [email protected]

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ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT
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