Manager, Governmental Affairs

Southern Company•Atlanta, GA

About The Position

The purpose of this position is to leverage relationships with local government officials and community leaders to ensure a positive operating environment and reputation for Atlanta Gas Light (AGLC). Within a defined territory, the Manager is an experienced company liaison with municipal, business and community leaders. The Manager also coordinates communication of capital/infrastructure projects with key stakeholders. Functional Expertise: Responsible for leveraging relationships built with local government, business and community leaders to ensure a positive operating environment and reputation for AGLC. Responsible for researching plans for significant AGLC capital/infrastructure projects and developing and executing plans for communicating project details with key stakeholders. Responsible for advising communities on needs to build or increase investment in utility infrastructure in order to foster economic growth. Advocate on behalf of communities to AGL for capital improvement. Responsible for providing leadership and expertise on complex commercial and industrial expansions and relocations and other volunteer activities. Responsible for supporting public presence/community involvement initiatives. Business Acumen: Manages involvement with local associations and organizations (chambers, development authority’s, economic development and other business interests). Seeks opportunities to speak about company programs and initiatives at membership organizations or other key venues. Develops plans to strategically manage the territory considering, for example, key constituents, significant capital/infrastructure work scheduled, past (or potential) issues. Assists operating departments with issues inhibiting work progress (runs interference between the company and municipal officials to help ensure that scheduled work is completed on time and on budget). Assists in obtaining municipal planning maps/long-term growth plans for use in gas system planning. - Supports energy efficiency and energy assistance initiatives Engagement: Provides ongoing communications (face-to-face and written) with Chamber of Commerce and local government officials, economic development officials and other constituent groups. Provides timely responses to inquiries from economic development organization and new business prospects. Assesses impact of business development opportunities and proactively pursues and participates on project teams which encourage economic growth. Coordinates the management of escalated complaints with the [Customer Relations/Customer Experience] Department. Participates regularly at Chamber of Commerce and economic development organizations. Leads groups or project teams as needed to facilitate such company initiatives as energy fairs, United Way campaign and volunteer initiatives. Driving Results: Creates and maintains a directory of key territory contacts and tracks important interactions with constituents and other job tasks using a relationship management database. Manages a territory budget.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in, Marketing, Public Administration, Political Science, Engineering or related field.
Experience in interaction with internal and external stake holders including municipal, business and community leaders
Experience & thorough knowledge of natural gas distribution systems
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective interpersonal relationships
Exemplify a high level of diplomacy and decorum
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Experience in negotiating and conflict resolution
Public Speaking/presentation Skills
Familiarity with local government – structure, processes, decision makers
Customer service-oriented
Must always be ready to respond to field emergencies
If away from territory, backup arrangements must be made and communicated internally as necessary
Some evening and weekend requirements
Must have valid driver’s license and access to transportation to attend meetings/events in territory

Responsibilities

Leveraging relationships built with local government, business and community leaders to ensure a positive operating environment and reputation for AGLC.
Researching plans for significant AGLC capital/infrastructure projects and developing and executing plans for communicating project details with key stakeholders.
Advising communities on needs to build or increase investment in utility infrastructure in order to foster economic growth.
Advocating on behalf of communities to AGL for capital improvement.
Providing leadership and expertise on complex commercial and industrial expansions and relocations and other volunteer activities.
Supporting public presence/community involvement initiatives.
Managing involvement with local associations and organizations (chambers, development authority’s, economic development and other business interests).
Seeking opportunities to speak about company programs and initiatives at membership organizations or other key venues.
Developing plans to strategically manage the territory considering, for example, key constituents, significant capital/infrastructure work scheduled, past (or potential) issues.
Assisting operating departments with issues inhibiting work progress (runs interference between the company and municipal officials to help ensure that scheduled work is completed on time and on budget).
Assisting in obtaining municipal planning maps/long-term growth plans for use in gas system planning.
Supporting energy efficiency and energy assistance initiatives
Providing ongoing communications (face-to-face and written) with Chamber of Commerce and local government officials, economic development officials and other constituent groups.
Providing timely responses to inquiries from economic development organization and new business prospects.
Assessing impact of business development opportunities and proactively pursues and participates on project teams which encourage economic growth.
Coordinating the management of escalated complaints with the [Customer Relations/Customer Experience] Department.
Participating regularly at Chamber of Commerce and economic development organizations.
Leading groups or project teams as needed to facilitate such company initiatives as energy fairs, United Way campaign and volunteer initiatives.
Creating and maintaining a directory of key territory contacts and tracks important interactions with constituents and other job tasks using a relationship management database.
Managing a territory budget.