External Affairs Manager

American Electric Power•Elkhart, IN

1d•$116,255 - $151,133

About The Position

The External Affairs Manager oversees and implements local and county governmental affairs, media communications liaison, community relations, and local and regional economic development operations. The position also serves as AEP’s primary community field contact. The manager provides leadership in developing company strategies and policies for effective community relations and economic development programs; serves as a local legislative contact and liaison; and builds relationships with environmental, economic development, and community stakeholders. The role coordinates solutions to strategic community and business development issues, supports regional and local economic development, and assists Distribution and Transmission during outages as the primary community and public emergency management contact under the operating company’s ICS Plan. The role facilitates grassroots activity and supports legislative and regulatory initiatives, advocating company positions and maintaining relationships with local management and corporate, regulatory, and governmental affairs representatives. It also manages local contributions and memberships and helps develop and implement corporate policy and strategy for effective state representation. The position requires travel to various locations, including extended periods, and work late into the evenings approximately 25% of the time. Work locations are Fort Wayne, Elkhart, Muncie, or South Bend, Indiana.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Engineering, Public Policy, Communications, or another related field.
At least seven years of related experience in Customer Services, Community Relations, Economic and Business Development, Government Relations, Generation, Transmission, or Distribution Utility Operations.
Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
Demonstrated communications and presentation skills, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to travel to various locations for extended periods and work late into the evenings approximately 25% of the time.
Demonstrated ability to build strategic internal and external relationships, political acumen, and strong initiative to manage resources, projects, and issues across business units, committees, and task forces.
Demonstrated successful leadership.
Ability to see information on a computer screen and use a computer keyboard.
Ability to hear spoken words via telephone, cell phone, or during individual or group meetings.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree is desirable.
Utility industry-related experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the development of company strategies and policies for effective community relations and economic development programs.
Serve as local legislative contact and liaison, working with business units to advocate corporate positions and influence public policy.
Build, maintain, and manage key environmental, economic development, and community contacts and relationships.
Manage, coordinate, and facilitate solutions to emerging strategic community and business development issues, including franchises, quality of service, rights-of-way, permits, ordinances and resolutions, taxes, siting, commission complaints, environmental matters, and other regulatory issues.
Manage, coordinate, and support regional and local economic development activities, including community preparedness, strategic recruitment, and business retention.
Support Distribution and Transmission during outage situations and serve as the primary community and public emergency management contact under the operating company’s ICS Plan.
Serve as AEP’s local grassroots facilitator and support important legislative and regulatory initiatives, effectively advocating company positions.
Maintain relationships with the local executive management team, local distribution and transmission managers, corporate communications representatives, and regulatory and governmental affairs representatives.
Manage local-level contributions and memberships.
Assist in developing, organizing, and implementing corporate policy and strategy for effective state representation by educating state legislators, their staff, and state government about the Corporation’s goals, objectives, and needs.
Demonstrate ethical behavior and support the Company’s Corporate Compliance Policies.