Dir Government Affairs

Consumers Energy•East Lansing, MI

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, serving 6.8 million residents across 68 Lower Peninsula counties. The company's primary focus is delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy 24/7. This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship and cannot hire individuals with CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT. The role is hybrid, requiring onsite days on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at the Lansing Government Office in Lansing, MI. The selected candidate must be within commuting distance or willing to relocate, with relocation assistance available.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Government, Law, International Relations, or a related field with ten (10) or more years in Governmental experience.
Associate Degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Government, Law, International Relations, or a related field with twelve (12) or more years in Governmental experience.
High School Diploma or GED with thirteen (13) or more years in Governmental experience.
Excellent advocacy and communication skills; ability to prepare and deliver verbal/written presentations of technical material to non-technical audiences.
Strategic thinking - proactively evaluate policy and political activities.
Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills; Persuasion and personal credibility to drive consensus/support for company priorities.
Problem solving and ability to drive consensus from ambiguity and resistance.
Strong knowledge of how state government operates.
Ethics, integrity, trust (compliance and reputation focused).

Nice To Haves

Prior advocacy and strategic thinking a plus.

Responsibilities

Develop and support the execution of strategic direction for state policy, advocacy, and political objectives, leveraging expertise and relationships to represent and achieve company goals.
Build and maintain significant relationships with a broad range of stakeholders and internal networks while balancing multiple priorities to achieve positive outcomes.
Lead internal and external consensus-building processes, defending ideas/strategies and offering creative solutions to further organizational priorities.
Implement policy positions and strategies supporting key business priorities, incorporating current state political/public policy to achieve outcomes.
Facilitate and support strategic cross-functional teams to identify policy objectives and advocacy plans (coalition building, communications, grassroots, direct lobby).
Anticipate and evaluate emerging governmental/public issues of potential importance to the company, providing analysis and insights to inform company leaders and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).
Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with elected officials, state departments and agencies, key third parties (stakeholders, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, etc.), and relevant industry associations.
Utilize consultant resources effectively.
Analyze, interpret, and apply information to recommend federal policy goals, objectives, and tactics.
Work closely with ally organizations to drive consensus and advance the company’s policy objectives.
Attend and represent the company at industry and other relevant events.
Support the company’s political engagement strategy and CMS Energy’s political action committee (PAC) by providing guidance, education, and resources.
Ensure compliance with all laws and company policies.