Senior Manager, Strategic Growth and Community Affairs

Xcel Energy•Denver, CO

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Strategic Growth and Community Affairs serves as the senior leader in PSCo responsible for executing Colorado state and local government energy policy strategy on behalf of large-load customers and infrastructure siting and construction. The role connects state and local policy, community engagement, regulatory strategy, and large-load execution. It leads a proactive narrative strategy to protect Xcel Energy’s brand while positioning Colorado to competitively serve data centers and other large-load customers. The position develops a statewide advocacy playbook adaptable to local jurisdictions and builds strategic partnerships with economic development organizations, community activists, and other stakeholders. It works across legislative and local government affairs, community relations, corporate communications, regulatory strategy, and economic development to align internal execution. The role partners with central communications to implement enterprise messaging locally while retaining ownership of Colorado-specific relationships. The role also provides leadership with timely situational awareness of Colorado political, municipal, community, regulatory, and reputational matters affecting growth and infrastructure development, and leads special projects requiring cross-functional coordination, analysis, and issue resolution.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in political science, public affairs, communications, business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
At least 8 years of demonstrated experience in state or local government affairs, community relations, external relations, public policy, communications, or advocacy; ideally in an energy, infrastructure, or large-scale development context.
Very strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to navigate complex political and community issues.
Ability to work independently and be a self-starter.
Willingness to work non-traditional hours to attend community, state, and local government meetings.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree (preferred but not required).
Experience integrating policy and community relations functions within a single strategic role.
Familiarity with Colorado’s legislative, community, and regulatory environment.
Experience partnering with central or enterprise teams to align local execution with broader brand and messaging strategy.

Responsibilities

Lead development and execution of a proactive Colorado narrative and stakeholder strategy that protects and strengthens Xcel Energy’s brand and supports Colorado’s competitiveness for data centers and other large-load customers.
Partner with corporate communications to implement enterprise brand standards and messaging locally while leading Colorado-specific relationships, narratives, engagement, and strategic response.
Lead execution of PSCo’s Colorado state and local government energy policy priorities supporting large-load customers and infrastructure siting and construction.
Coordinate work across state policy, local government affairs, community relations, regulatory strategy, siting and land rights, and large-load initiatives; translate priorities into actionable plans and establish roles and accountability.
Align legislation, local government rules and regulations, franchise, public affairs, regulatory, economic development, and community engagement activities ahead of major customer or infrastructure decisions.
Establish shared objectives, roles, decision points, and execution plans to promote consistency, speed, and accountability across internal teams.
Identify and assess political, state, municipal, community, regulatory, and reputational risks affecting large-load growth or infrastructure siting and construction.
Direct a statewide process to gather and interpret community-specific data, stakeholder sentiment, and emerging issues; provide recommendations to leadership, assign ownership, escalate material issues, and drive mitigation and coordinated response.
Build, maintain, and lead implementation of a statewide advocacy and ground-game playbook for large-load customers and infrastructure projects, adapting it to local political dynamics and community expectations.
Direct cross-functional communications and engagement plans; cultivate relationships with legislators, local officials, economic development organizations, community activists, and other stakeholders; adjust tactics as conditions evolve.
Provide PSCo and enterprise leaders with timely context on Colorado political, municipal, community, regulatory, and reputational matters affecting growth and infrastructure development.
Gather and synthesize information in response to leadership questions, identify key considerations and emerging issues, and connect leaders with appropriate subject matter experts.
Lead special projects requiring cross-functional coordination, analysis, and issue resolution to advance PSCo priorities.
Attend community and state and local government meetings during non-traditional hours as needed.