NIPSCO Economic Development Community Manager

NiSource•Merrillville, IN

19h•$113,500 - $170,300

About The Position

The Community & Economic Development Manager serves as the primary representative for NIPSCO and NiSource Generation Company (GENCO) in communities experiencing economic growth, large-load development, and energy infrastructure expansion. The role builds and maintains relationships with local governments, economic development organizations, businesses, community stakeholders, and elected officials to support generation, transmission, and electric and gas infrastructure investments. The Manager leads community engagement, public outreach, and stakeholder partnerships, acting as a key liaison between the company and external stakeholders. Working with Operations, Generation, Transmission, Engineering, Government Affairs, Regulatory, Customer Growth, and Communications teams, the position supports economic development opportunities, large-load customer growth, community investment initiatives, and major capital projects. As a trusted advisor to community leaders, the position helps advance regional economic growth, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and support community alignment for current and future generation, transmission, and infrastructure investments. The role may also support emergency response efforts, potentially outside normal hours or beyond typical responsibilities.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree.
At least 5 years of experience in community relations, public administration, engineering, economic development and planning, government affairs, public affairs, external affairs, communications, utility operations, or a related field.
Local government experience working directly with elected officials, municipalities, and economic development organizations.
Strong relationship-building skills and ability to develop and maintain effective partnerships with community leaders, government officials, business stakeholders, and internal teams.
Excellent communication, public speaking, and executive presence skills, with the ability to represent the organization in community, industry, and governmental settings.
Knowledge of community engagement, economic development, and business attraction strategies that support organizational and regional growth objectives.
Understanding of local government processes, planning and zoning activities, and regulatory considerations affecting community and infrastructure development.
Ability to manage stakeholder concerns, resolve conflicts, and navigate sensitive issues professionally and with sound judgment.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate across functions, influence without direct authority, and drive results through partnership and alignment.
Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills, including the ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships and competing priorities.
Valid U.S. driver's license.
Legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring employer sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

Utility or regulated industry experience.

Responsibilities

Serve as NIPSCO's primary liaison with mayors, town councils, county commissioners, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, and community leaders in communities experiencing large projects and growth.
Lead community engagement for generation and transmission projects, including stakeholder outreach, relationship management, and public acceptance efforts throughout development and implementation.
Build and maintain strategic relationships throughout the service territory.
Represent NIPSCO and GENCO at community meetings, public forums, industry conferences, economic development events, and stakeholder engagements.
Develop and execute community engagement strategies that support business objectives and operational initiatives.
Serve as a trusted resource and point of contact for community concerns, opportunities, and partnership discussions related to economic development and growth projects.
Partner with Economic Development, New Business, Major Accounts, Engineering, and Operations teams to support infrastructure growth in targeted communities.
Engage developers, site selectors, economic development organizations, and large-load customers regarding prospective projects, including data centers, advanced manufacturing facilities, electrification initiatives, transmission expansion, and generation-related growth.
Support responses to economic development inquiries, prepare high-level project responses, and create economic benefit proposals.
Identify emerging opportunities related to generation expansion, transmission development, and community investment, and communicate market intelligence to internal stakeholders.
Assist in advancing strategic projects that enhance economic growth and utility development.
Plan, facilitate, and lead public meetings, stakeholder sessions, and community engagement activities.
Present company initiatives, infrastructure projects, generation investments, reliability improvements, and economic development opportunities to community and public audiences.
Deliver communication strategies that foster transparency, trust, and positive stakeholder relationships.
Address community concerns related to utility projects, energy infrastructure development, and economic growth initiatives.
Coordinate outreach with Government Affairs and Public Affairs teams and lead public engagement for generation, transmission, and infrastructure projects, communicating project benefits, timelines, economic impact, and reliability outcomes.
Support local government engagement strategies and municipal relationships tied to community investment and growth.
Partner with project development, transmission, generation, regulatory, and government affairs teams to support local stakeholder alignment and community readiness for major capital projects.
Identify opportunities for community partnerships and local investment, ensuring investments align with business priorities, infrastructure strategies, and regional needs.
Support workforce development and community development initiatives.
Support emergency response efforts when needed, which may involve work outside normal hours or tasks beyond typical responsibilities.