Director, Commercial Communications

Xcel Energy•Minneapolis, MN

1d•$129,000 - $183,200•Hybrid

About The Position

Xcel Energy is seeking a highly strategic and proactive communications leader to drive enterprise-wide communications efforts supporting the company's rapidly growing large load customer (data centers, etc.) business. The Director, Commercial Communications will lead the development and execution of integrated communications strategies that enhance Xcel Energy's reputation as a trusted energy partner for large load customer development across its multi-state service territory. This leader will serve as the primary communications strategist for one of the company's most important business opportunities, working across corporate, regulatory, government affairs, customer, community relations, economic development, and operational teams. The role requires a unique combination of strategic communications expertise, stakeholder engagement, issue and advocacy management, business acumen, and team leadership. The successful candidate will build and execute communications strategies that support large load customer development, strengthen relationships with customers, such as hyperscalers and data center developers, proactively manage emerging issues, and ensure coordinated messaging across state and enterprise-level priorities.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Public Affairs, Business, Political Science, or related field.
10+ years of progressive experience in corporate communications, public affairs, media relations, reputation management, political communications or strategic communications.
Experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder communications initiatives across large organizations.
Demonstrated success developing and executing enterprise-level communications strategies.
Strong issues management, stakeholder engagement, media relations, and executive communications capabilities.
Experience leading teams and influencing across matrixed organizations.
Excellent strategic thinking, project management, and relationship-building skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the energy, utility, infrastructure, technology, economic development, or regulated industry sectors.
Familiarity with data center development, hyperscale customers, digital/telecommunications/data infrastructure, energy policy, or large-scale economic development projects.
Experience supporting highly visible public projects involving community engagement, permitting, regulatory processes, or public affairs.
Experience using media intelligence, social listening, and reputation monitoring platforms.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead a comprehensive enterprise communications strategy to support Xcel Energy's large load customer growth objectives.
Create state-specific communication frameworks tailored to the unique regulatory, political, economic, media, and community environments within each jurisdiction.
Position Xcel Energy as a leading energy partner for data center customers through strategic storytelling, media engagement, executive visibility, and stakeholder communications.
Develop communication plans that support key customer projects, infrastructure investments, and economic development initiatives associated with data center growth.
Establish trusted working relationships with large load owners, developers, hyperscale customers, site selectors, and industry partners.
Partner with customers to identify and execute joint communications opportunities, including major project announcements, economic development initiatives, community engagement efforts, and thought leadership campaigns.
Coordinate communication activities supporting customer acquisition and retention efforts.
Serve as the communications advisor to business development leaders pursuing large load opportunities across the service territory, including development of local execution and stakeholder influence strategies that can be provided to state-level community teams and/or developers.
Partner with state-level community teams in managing relationships with Economic Development Organizations and local NGOs.
Design and manage a comprehensive monitoring and intelligence program focused on large load issues, stakeholder sentiment, public opinion, legislative activity, and media coverage.
Develop systems and dashboards that provide regular insights to communications, business, and executive leadership teams.
Identify emerging trends, risks, and opportunities related to data center growth, energy demand, economic development, water usage, transmission infrastructure, land use, and community impacts.
Lead proactive reputation management and crisis communications planning related to large load development and operations.
Develop and execute earned media strategies that elevate Xcel Energy's position in the rapidly evolving data center industry.
Create compelling messaging and communications platforms that articulate the economic, energy, and community benefits of responsible data center development.
Support executive leadership communications, speaking engagements, industry conferences, and thought leadership opportunities.
Partner with external affairs and government relations teams to align messaging across stakeholder groups.
Coordinate communications activities across Corporate Communications, Media Relations, State Communications, Government Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, Community Relations, Economic Development, Customer Solutions, Operations, Sustainability, and Executive Leadership teams.
Establish communications governance, planning processes, and operating rhythms that ensure consistent messaging and coordinated execution across jurisdictions.
Provide strategic communications counsel to senior leaders regarding opportunities, risks, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
Establish metrics and reporting frameworks to evaluate communications effectiveness, reputation impact, stakeholder sentiment, and business outcomes.
Monitor media, public sentiment, customer perceptions, and policy developments to inform strategy adjustments.
Deliver regular executive-level reporting and recommendations on communications performance and emerging issues.