Municipal & Community Services Executive

Unitil Service Corporation•Portland, ME

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The manager will discuss at time of interview this position being made available to some hybrid/remote flexibility. Our Company More than a utility company, Unitil provides energy for life. Our work helps keep homes comfortable, businesses thriving and communities connected. Unitil is an investor-owned public utility proudly serving Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. We are dedicated to delivering energy to our customers safely and reliably. Unitil is committed to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the differences among all of our employees, customers, suppliers and the communities in which we live and conduct business. The continued success of Unitil is enhanced through initiatives that promote diversity and value our employees. Take advantage of a comprehensive benefits package. Unitil offers competitive salaries, a consumer-driven health plan, dental and vision coverage, flexible work, company-paid holidays, a, robust, highly competitive retirement plan and educational assistance. Note: Benefit offerings may differ between union and non-union employee groups. Position Purpose The M&CS Executive will be responsible for managing strategic municipal and state government stakeholders in an assigned geographic territory. Works with the External Affairs Team to educate municipal partners on core Company services while addressing constituent needs and maintaining strong, fully integrated and mutually beneficial relationships. Aids in the public positioning of the company as a vital partner in managing energy issues.

Requirements

Bachelor degree in Marketing/Business, Public Relations, Journalism, Government Affairs or equivalent, MBA and/or energy background preferred.
6 - 8 years of related experience and successful professional experience in: government affairs municipal affairs and/or communications.
Must have superior communication skills and be able to demonstrate successful professional experience across technical, strategic and business areas.

Responsibilities

Consistent with Unitil’s mission and strategic objectives, develop and maintain strong, fully integrated and mutually beneficial relationships with municipal and state officials and community leaders / influencers within the Unitil service areas
Build and maintain strong, mutually beneficial relationships with municipal and state officials to assure the company’s strategic customer engagement objectives are met while also helping to assure that company regulatory or municipal issues are acted on fairly
Represent a single point of contact for municipal officials, becoming the company in the eyes of these officials for day-to-day operations and most importantly during storm restoration efforts and other system emergencies including; on-call duties to staff local EOCs, outage coordination and support for customer service as needed
Establish Unitil as an energy partner, resolve complex customer issues, provide detailed project management, interpret rate and policy issues and keep customers informed of pertinent changes. Negotiate fair outcomes to problems that consider both customer and company positions.
Actively represent the company in targeted local community, regional and professional organizations that can enhance the company profile and that contribute to economic and community development. Actively work to build coalitions with like-minded groups and organizations as an advocacy strategy that will help to ensure desired outcomes for Unitil business objectives
Deliver communications to external stakeholders that present a common message and singular voice for Unitil in the various publics it encounters, demonstrating knowledge and credibility.
Work to ensure that regional customers, municipalities and key community support organizations have a full understanding of major Company initiatives in support of grid modernization and other state-specific energy goals.
Work to establish a foundational understanding of distribution systems among key stakeholders via tailored engagement plans designed to solicit feedback and identify community concerns and needs.
Coordinate with a broad cross section of customers, community-based organizations, municipalities, businesses and policymakers on the education of energy related issues and major infrastructure projects.
Schedule, coordinate aid in the promotion of informational events and listening sessions within regional communities in support of engagement efforts and assist in the creation of public facing education materials for said events.
Demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and team principals, remain on the edge of competitive change
Maintain expertise in energy services, gas distribution and transmission concepts, and the energy marketplace via ongoing research and training opportunities. Be perceived as an “expert” across technical, strategic and business areas.
Foster and maintain excellent working relationships with other internal functions to balance the customers’ needs with finite company resources.
Provide constant and effective communications to company management through formal and informal communication processes.
Demonstrate commitment to and promote Unitil’s Mission, Vision and Values and lead by example.