Manager, Government Affairs

Pattern Energy Group•Houston, TX

13h•Hybrid

About The Position

This position has responsibilities for advancing government affairs initiatives in the U.S. with a focus on Pattern’s priority states. Depending on location, this role will manage the government affairs program throughout a designated geographic region. The role oversees government affairs advocacy at the state level to advance the company's commercial interests. Policy venues will include governor offices, state agencies, and state legislatures. Issue areas will include, but not limited to government funding programs/initiatives, clean energy standards, carbon markets, procurement, interconnection, tax policy, greenhouse gas emissions regulation, environmental policy, and permitting/siting. The role will collaborate with the regulatory affairs team on regional market policy and public engagement and communications teams to support local development initiatives. The successful candidate will be required to build and maintain strategic relationships with elected and appointed officials, government agency staff, and other key decision makers to support and advance policies that will affect the company's commercial interests. Additionally, the role will need to manage multiple initiatives at once and work closely with the development and other departments to design and execute comprehensive external affairs strategies to achieve desired policy outcomes to support the company’s commercial objectives. The role represents Pattern at trade associations, and provides strategic leadership in building effective relationships with industry allies and community leaders. The candidate requires industry leadership skills to advance short and long-term policy objectives supporting Pattern's interests. The position oversees daily management of external team of consultants to leverage strategic relationships, stay attuned to key policy developments, and direct advocacy. The role will coordinate closely with internal teams by seeking counsel from key subject matter experts to ensure corporate alignment of commercial interests. The position will produce reports, policy analysis, and other materials to provide strategic insights internally and externally to inform decision making. The role coordinates and leads internal and external calls, meetings on a regular cadence and as needed to support the business.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from accredited college/university (political science, economics, public administration, social science, humanities, or other relevant field)
5-8 years of experience in the public or private sector working in government affairs, regulatory affairs, or development, with direct experience in clean energy policy.
Experience working in a range of energy markets
Experience representing and serving as an external spokesperson for a corporation or other organization
Strong knowledge of renewable energy industry
Thorough understanding of the structure and relationship of government bodies
Knowledge of the policy, regulatory and advocacy environments within each of the priority markets for the company
Ability to analyze, interpret and draft legislation, regulation, and position papers
Strong quantitative and analytical skills
Excellent writing, speaking and communication skills
Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and manage rapidly changing priorities across multiple disciplines
Quick learner able to work cross-functionally and independently at times
Solutions-oriented with the ability to develop strategies and execute by creating and maintaining processes and systems

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Develops, implements, and oversees plans to execute the company's government affairs agenda, pursuing proactive legislative and other initiatives and defending against adverse legislative or regulatory actions.
Integrates input from development, operations, and commercial teams, as well as executive leadership, to identify policy-driven risks and opportunities, and to articulate the company's positions on key issues; leads internal teams in prioritizing and analyzing the impact of critical legislative and regulatory issues based on the company’s business plan; reports on key issues and impacts to relevant internal staff and executive management team.
Works closely with the stakeholder engagement team and consultants.
Represents the company in trade associations and other organizations serving in leadership positions and on committees as needed.
Develops, fosters, and strengthens relationships with stakeholders, elected officials, and other external parties to facilitate advocacy and information-sharing efforts to enhance and maintain the company's public reputation.
Represents the company at meetings, conferences, public forums, and government hearings.
Contributes to External Affairs department coordination and alignment, including the utilization of software tools for effective planning, collaboration and tracking.
Supports community engagement initiatives and permitting processes in coordination with stakeholder engagement and development teams.