Regional Director, External Affairs NYC

natgridProd•New York, NY

8d•$208,000 - $244,000•Onsite

About The Position

National Grid is hiring a Regional Director of External Affairs for New York City, based at its Hanson Place office in Brooklyn, New York. This strategically important role manages community engagement, local government relations, community investment, and reputational risk among senior elected and appointed officials. The director advances the company’s government relations and communications strategy in collaboration with the Downstate Communications team, advises on Economic Development programming, and helps shape operational and policy priorities by engaging decision-makers at state and regional levels. The Regional Director leads the two-way relationship between National Grid and communities in the NYC region, overseeing community relations in support of business goals and advocating internally for community needs and interests. The role directs deployment of company resources, builds a team to advance organizational priorities, collaborates across departments to deliver customer service, represents National Grid on strategic organizational boards, and informs local community investment plans. The position leads external affairs strategy, stakeholder relationships, lobbying and policy engagement, community investment programs, budgets, and a multidisciplinary team. It also provides strategic counsel on emerging issues and risks, supports operational and clean-energy initiatives, manages designated municipal gas customer relationships, and coordinates external engagement during emergency events.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher.
At least 10 years of experience in business, marketing, public administration, government affairs, public relations, or community relations.
Demonstrated success in lobbying activity.
Significant existing network of current relationships in NYC, including relationships with the Company’s key stakeholders, and ability to expand relationships to non-traditional stakeholders.
Experience interacting with senior executives internally and externally.
Substantive experience building strong stakeholder partnerships.
Experience with successful corporate giving programs and their governance.
Strong management skills and excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to write reports and develop presentations for senior management.
Experience in crisis or external emergency management.
Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to positively influence customer and community matters and facilitate resolution of internal and external issues or conflicts.
In-depth experience working and influencing within a large, complex organization and collaborating to plan stakeholder engagement.
Understanding of external industry and non-industry stakeholders affecting the utilities sector, including government, regulators, communities, agencies, and industry bodies.
Ability to manage and explain complex, competing issues while working with others and maintaining alignment with National Grid’s strategic direction and goals.
Exceptional networking skills, including the ability to influence and negotiate with a range of external stakeholders.
Strategic, proactive leadership and influencing ability.
Ability to work without current or future visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the energy utility sector.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute strategies to build and maintain relationships with local government officials, civic and nonprofit organizations, community leaders, and other stakeholders.
Protect and enhance National Grid’s reputation as a leader in energy and environmental stewardship through stakeholder engagement and relationship management.
Build and maintain senior-level internal and external networks and foster collaboration across National Grid and with external partners.
Develop and communicate external affairs strategies, policy positions, and community initiatives that advance and protect National Grid’s interests in New York.
Manage relationships with local government officials and lobbying activities in New York City, partnering with State and Federal Government Relations teams on policy and legislative priorities.
Lead, coach, and develop a multidisciplinary team of public affairs, community relations, and municipal account professionals, fostering an inclusive and high-performing culture.
Partner with Strategic Communications on media, public relations, and stakeholder engagement programs.
Oversee community investment programs, including strategy, planning, execution, budgets, Grid for Good, clean energy transition efforts, and community engagement programs.
Manage departmental and community investment budgets with fiscal accountability.
Collaborate with Economic Development and Customer teams to maximize strategic partnerships, grant programs, and key customer relationships.
Lead external engagement and coalition-building in support of operational, regulatory, strategic, and clean energy transition initiatives.
Monitor emerging issues, risks, opportunities, and stakeholder trends and provide strategic counsel to senior leadership on change management and organizational priorities.
Direct external coordination and stakeholder engagement during emergency events, including interactions with elected officials, emergency managers, critical customers, and community stakeholders.
Stay informed about external affairs, community relations, social equity, and industry best practices.
Provide leadership and direction on strategic initiatives and action plans to achieve organizational goals and business growth.
Manage designated municipal gas customer relationships within the region.
Organize and execute external affairs support for emergency response activities across the NYC region.
Represent National Grid on organizational boards that support relationships, regional economic development, or advocacy on energy delivery issues, and inform local community investment plans.
Advocate within National Grid for the needs and interests of communities served.