Lead Associate, Stakeholder Relations - Central Region

AES US•Houston, TX

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Lead Associate, Stakeholder Relations supports AES’ regional stakeholder engagement strategy and 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 multi-technology energy campus and powered land opportunities through site screening, diligence, development, permitting, construction and operations. It develops and executes complex engagement strategies with substantial independence, in collaboration with project teams and External Affairs colleagues, and serves as a subject-matter resource on local engagement, social risk mitigation, strategic partnerships and advocacy. The position represents AES in building trust with host communities and sustaining the company’s social license to operate, while engaging a wide range of stakeholders, including landowners, Tribal Nations, customers, utilities, governments, economic development organizations, labor unions, nonprofits, contractors, industry associations and media. The role supports national energy campus and powered land strategy; conducts stakeholder and community diligence; monitors policy and public sentiment; and develops project engagement plans, risk assessments and communications strategies. It collaborates with customers, partners and internal teams, supports local policy and economic development efforts, and contributes to community benefit agreements and social impact partnerships. It also manages stakeholder intelligence, budgets and risk reporting; partners on project communications and media relations; and plans and represents AES at public meetings and community events. The position requires at least five years of related experience, including at least three years of direct energy industry experience supporting generation, storage, transmission or large-load infrastructure projects. A bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent work experience is required. The role may be based in AES’ Houston office or performed remotely from within the central United States, with reasonable access to a major airport. It requires up to 50% national travel, flexible hours that may include evenings and weekends, and availability to respond to urgent issues outside normal business hours.

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.
Must reside in the central United States; the role may be based in AES’ Houston office or performed remotely from within the central U.S., with reasonable access to a major airport.
Anticipated travel of up to 50% nationally, with emphasis on the central United States, including overnight stays.
Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, for public meetings, hearings and community events, and to respond to urgent stakeholder issues, incidents or media inquiries outside normal business hours.
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.
Must comply with AES safety requirements, including use of PPE during site visits.
Must comply 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 the Sr. Manager, Stakeholder Relations – Central Region in developing and implementing AES’ national stakeholder engagement strategy for energy campuses and powered land.
Conduct stakeholder and community diligence for prospective projects, sites and acquisitions, assessing sentiment, land use and zoning, and near- and long-term risks.
Monitor national and state trends, policy developments and public sentiment related to renewable energy, data centers, large-load development and energy infrastructure; synthesize findings and share lessons and best practices.
Develop and maintain strategic engagement plans, community and risk assessments, and local communications strategies for assigned projects.
Support engagement throughout prospecting, M&A due diligence, planning, development, permitting, construction, execution and operations; align activities with project and customer milestones and adapt as plans evolve.
Mobilize coalitions of individuals and organizations to demonstrate support for the industry and AES projects and secure favorable outcomes.
Build cross-functional alignment and coordinate with customer counterparts, development partners and utilities on engagement strategy, siting, confidentiality and stakeholder expectations.
Translate community insight into feasible engagement strategies and recommendations for project teams and leadership.
Maintain an informed understanding of local political landscapes; build nonpartisan relationships with public officials, regulators, economic development organizations, business groups and community and educational institutions; monitor proceedings and support hearings and land-use approvals.
Support tax and other economic incentive strategies and the negotiation and approval of incentives and development agreements with internal teams, consultants and partners.
Conduct respectful, culturally competent engagement with diverse and underrepresented communities, including Indigenous and Tribal engagement where applicable under AES policy.
Build relationships with labor unions and building trades on workforce, local hiring and project labor priorities.
Maintain accessible inquiry and notification channels; document and respond to feedback, help resolve concerns, escalate unresolved issues and communicate outcomes.
Uphold engagement and communication standards and contractual requirements throughout project lifecycles, particularly during construction and operations.
Support the design, negotiation and implementation of community benefit agreements and other project benefit structures, ensuring ethical partnerships serve community priorities and are not exchanged for public support or approvals.
Implement commitments, track accountability and outcomes, and report progress; cultivate partnerships through the AES Social Impact Program and coordinate philanthropy, outreach and employee volunteer activities.
Maintain stakeholder lists, interaction records, feedback, commitments and engagement reports in designated CRM tools.
Research local sentiment, media and emerging political or community issues; lead stakeholder risk assessments and contribute to executive-facing reporting for the campus and powered land portfolio.
Build and manage engagement budgets within approved processes and oversee consultants or agencies as needed.
Partner with Communications to create locally tailored, multichannel project information and materials, including talking points, presentations and public displays.
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 and comply with company policies, standards and safety requirements.