Manager, Governmental Affairs

Southern Company • Atlanta, GA

10d

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.

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

• 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.
• 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
• 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.
• 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.

Benefits

• Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being.
• This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees