Director, Commercial Communications

Xcel Energy•Minneapolis, MN

8d•$129,000 - $183,200•Hybrid

About The Position

Xcel Energy is seeking a strategic communications leader to drive enterprise-wide communications supporting the company’s growing large load customer business, including data centers. The Director, Commercial Communications will develop and execute integrated communications strategies that strengthen Xcel Energy’s reputation as a trusted energy partner for large load customer development across its multi-state service territory. The role is the primary communications strategy lead for this business opportunity, working across corporate, regulatory, government affairs, customer, community relations, economic development, and operational teams. The director will support customer development, build relationships with customers such as hyperscalers and data center developers, manage emerging issues, and coordinate messaging across state and enterprise priorities. This position calls for strategic communications expertise, stakeholder engagement, issue and advocacy management, business acumen, and team leadership. Xcel Energy supports a hybrid work model. Many roles are expected to work onsite three days per week, Tuesday through Thursday, though expectations vary by role, team, and business needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Public Affairs, Business, Political Science, or a related field.
At least 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 energy, utility, infrastructure, technology, economic development, or regulated industry sectors.
Familiarity with data center development, hyperscale customers, digital, telecommunications or 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 an enterprise communications strategy supporting large load customer growth objectives.
Create state-specific communication frameworks tailored to each jurisdiction’s regulatory, political, economic, media, and community environment.
Position Xcel Energy as a leading energy partner for data center customers through storytelling, media engagement, executive visibility, and stakeholder communications.
Develop communication plans for 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.
Identify and execute joint communications opportunities with customers, including project announcements, economic development initiatives, community engagement, and thought leadership campaigns.
Coordinate communications supporting customer acquisition and retention.
Advise business development leaders pursuing large load opportunities, including developing local execution and stakeholder influence strategies for state-level community teams and developers.
Partner with state-level community teams to manage relationships with Economic Development Organizations and local NGOs.
Design and manage a 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 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 for large load development and operations.
Develop and execute earned media strategies to elevate Xcel Energy’s position in the data center industry.
Create messaging and communications platforms explaining the economic, energy, and community benefits of responsible data center development.
Support executive 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 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 to support consistent messaging and coordinated execution across jurisdictions.
Provide strategic communications counsel to senior leaders on 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 executive-level reporting and recommendations on communications performance and emerging issues.