WGL - Lead Public Affairs

Job Description

WGL - Lead Public Affairs
Join the forefront of public policy and advocacy with Washington Gas! As a key representative, you’ll champion our interests before state and local governments, as well as influential business and trade organizations. Imagine crafting and executing a powerful annual public policy strategy and public affairs program that shapes legislative initiatives. You’ll be at the heart of strategic advocacy, working with dynamic business coalitions to drive impactful public policy outcomes. Your efforts will be pivotal in the District of Columbia and other key jurisdictions, making a tangible difference in the community and beyond.
You Will:

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

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

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

• Develop strategies that 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 disseminate 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 address such inquiries timely and effectively

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

• Assist 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 the state, and county-level policy strategies before the District of Columbia, and local policy officials

• Coordinate and provide recommendations and counsel to senior executives in coordinating public policy strategies.

• Serve as liaison with local government and state agencies

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

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

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

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

• Viewed as an advisor to legislative stakeholders on the company’s interests and questions

• Acts as a mediator between legislators and constituents involving matters of company issues or concern

You Have:

• Bachelor's Degree in 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 effectively solve 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 a high level of business acumen and knowledge of business strategy, process, and energy industry policy issues

• Demonstrated ability to influence/win the 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.