Associate Director, Community & Stakeholder Engagement

Cypress Creek Renewables•Chicago, AR

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Cypress Creek Energy is seeking an experienced community and stakeholder engagement leader to drive project development and execution across a regional portfolio, with primary responsibility for Arkansas and additional coverage across states east of the Mississippi River and other regions as needed. The Associate Director will lead the development and implementation of strategic engagement plans, build durable relationships with communities and public officials, and serve as a senior spokesperson for projects. The ideal candidate brings strong judgement, deep communication expertise, and the ability to translate complex project information into clear, compelling narratives that build trust and public support.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree
5+ years of relevant experience
Experience with municipalities, elected officials, and regulatory agencies
Strong stakeholder engagement and planning skills
Public speaking and spokesperson experience
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to simplify complex information
Experience in media relations
Proficiency in Microsoft Office
Willingness to travel up to 40%

Nice To Haves

Regional experience in Arkansas or surrounding areas
Experience in energy, infrastructure, or related industries
Experience managing team members or consultants

Responsibilities

Lead and execute comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategies for projects across the assigned region
Build and maintain relationships with community leaders, advocacy groups, and other key stakeholders
Conduct stakeholder mapping and develop targeted outreach strategies
Develop and implement plans that build public understanding and support for projects
Establish and maintain relationships with elected officials, municipalities, regulatory agencies, and government entities, in collaboration with Government Affairs
Represent the company at public hearings, community meetings, and critical discussions
Identify permitting and regulatory risks and communicate them effectively to leadership
Act as or support project spokespersons by leading media engagement, public presentations, and community forums, while coaching others to deliver clear, credible, and impactful messaging.
Develop messaging, presentations, and written materials
Partner with internal teams on media relations strategy and execution
Develop engagement plans aligned with project goals
Translate complex information into accessible communications
Craft stories highlighting project value and community benefits
Work with Government Affairs, Development, Project Execution, and Operations teams
Lead identification and mitigation of risks related to community acceptance, stakeholder sentiment, and social license.
Provide guidance on engagement best practices
Lead and mentor team members or consultants
Manage external vendors
Contribute to a collaborative team environment