Lead Associate, Stakeholder Relations - Central Region

AES•Houston, TX

11d

About The Position

The Lead Associate, Stakeholder Relations supports the development and execution of AES’ regional stakeholder engagement strategy and its national strategy for energy campuses and powered land under the leadership of the Sr. Manager – Central Region. The role leads engagement for an assigned portfolio of renewable energy projects across MISO, SPP and ERCOT and supports a national portfolio of multi-technology energy campuses and powered land opportunities, from site screening and diligence through development, permitting, construction and operations. The position leads complex project engagement strategies with a high degree of independence, in collaboration with project teams and External Affairs colleagues. It applies direct energy industry experience and serves as a subject-matter resource on local engagement, social risk mitigation, strategic partnerships and advocacy. The role helps implement and improve frameworks, tools and practices for consistent, responsible engagement across markets, builds trust with host communities, and helps AES secure and maintain its social license to operate. Engagement includes local communities, landowners, Tribal Nations, customer counterparts, utilities, local and state governments, economic development organizations, labor unions, nonprofits, EPC partners, industry associations, chambers of commerce and local news media. The role also supports community benefit agreements, economic development and incentive processes, and meaningful partnerships that serve local communities and responsible infrastructure development. The position may be based in AES’ Houston, Texas office or performed remotely from within the central United States, with reasonable access to a major airport. It requires up to 50% national travel, primarily in the central United States, and flexible availability for public meetings, hearings, community events and urgent stakeholder matters.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in community engagement, advocacy, public relations, public affairs, environmental studies, communications, political science, local government or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
At least 5 years of related experience in stakeholder engagement, community or public affairs, or a similar field.
At least 3 years of direct energy industry experience supporting development, permitting, construction or operation of generation, storage, transmission or large-load infrastructure projects.
Demonstrated experience leading advocacy and engagement with diverse communities, from small and rural communities to urban centers.
Familiarity with applicable government and regulatory requirements, permitting and land use processes, current issues and community dynamics.
Ability to travel nationally up to 50%, including overnight stays, with an emphasis on the central United States.
Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, and respond to urgent stakeholder issues, incidents or media inquiries outside normal business hours.
Must reside in the central United States; the role may be based in the Houston, Texas office or performed remotely within the central United States, with reasonable access to a major airport.
Valid driver’s license and ability to meet AES driving and fleet policy requirements.
Ability to successfully complete a background check and any pre-employment requirements.
Compliance with AES safety requirements, including PPE during site visits.
Compliance with applicable lobbying, gift and political activity laws and AES policies, including registration where required.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in Public Relations, Communications, Public Policy, Business Administration or a related field.
Experience with data center, energy campus, industrial or other large-load development, site selection or economic development.
Experience negotiating community benefit, host community or economic development agreements.
Knowledge of the political and community landscape in Texas and other central U.S. markets.

Responsibilities

Support development and implementation of AES’ national stakeholder engagement strategy for energy campuses and powered land.
Conduct stakeholder and community diligence for prospective projects, sites and acquisitions, assessing community sentiment, land use and zoning conditions, and project risks to inform site selection and decisions.
Monitor national and state trends, policy developments and public sentiment related to renewable energy, data centers, large-load development and energy infrastructure; synthesize insights and share lessons and best practices.
Develop and maintain strategic engagement plans, community and risk assessments, and local communication strategies for assigned projects.
Support engagement from prospecting and M&A diligence through planning, development, permitting, construction, execution and operations.
Align engagement with project milestones, permitting and construction schedules, and customer timelines, adapting as project scope and configuration change.
Mobilize coalitions of individuals and organizations to demonstrate support for the industry and AES projects and help secure favorable outcomes.
Build alignment with internal teams as projects advance through development, construction and operations.
Coordinate with customer counterparts, development partners and utilities on engagement strategy, siting considerations, confidentiality requirements and stakeholder expectations.
Translate community insight into feasible engagement strategies and clear recommendations for project teams and leadership.
Maintain an informed understanding of local political landscapes in coordination with Government Relations.
Build professional, nonpartisan relationships with elected officials and staff, regulators, economic development organizations, trade and business groups, and community and educational institutions; monitor local proceedings and support public hearings and zoning and land use approvals.
Support strategies for tax and other economic incentives and the negotiation and approval of incentives and development agreements with internal teams, consultants and partners.
Engage diverse audiences through respectful, culturally competent consultation, including underrepresented communities; conduct Indigenous and Tribal engagement where applicable in accordance with the AES Voluntary Tribal Engagement Policy.
Build constructive relationships with labor unions and building trades on workforce, local hiring and project labor priorities in coordination with Execution and Government Relations.
Maintain accessible inquiry and notification channels; document and respond to feedback, coordinate resolution of concerns, escalate unresolved issues and communicate outcomes.
Uphold engagement and communication standards and contractual requirements throughout the project lifecycle, particularly during construction and operations.
Support the design, negotiation and implementation of community benefit agreements and other benefit structures under the Sr. Manager’s direction and in partnership with the Social Impact team.
Ensure partnerships are ethical and that long-term benefits serve community priorities and responsible development, not as an exchange for public support or approvals.
Implement commitments, track accountability and outcomes, and report progress according to internal and external requirements.
Cultivate partnerships through the AES Social Impact Program and coordinate philanthropy, outreach and employee volunteer activities aligned with company and community priorities.
Maintain accurate stakeholder lists, interaction records, feedback, commitments and engagement reports in designated CRM tools.
Research and analyze local sentiment, social and traditional media, and emerging political or community issues; lead stakeholder risk assessments and contribute to executive-facing risk reporting.
Build and manage project engagement budgets within approved processes and oversee consultants or agencies as needed.
Partner with Communications to develop locally tailored, multichannel project information, talking points, presentations and public displays, including accessible explanations of energy campus and large-load development.
Cultivate local media relationships, serve as an approved project spokesperson, and support issue and crisis communications with responsible teams.
Plan and deliver public meetings, open houses, community events, virtual engagement sessions, ribbon cuttings and site visits; represent AES at community events, conferences, and business and government settings.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Demonstrate AES values of Safety First, Highest Standards and All Together, and comply with all policies and standards.