Sr. Director, Stakeholder Engagement

RWE•Oakland, CA

19h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director, Stakeholder Engagement leads the creation of RWE’s Stakeholder Engagement strategy and execution and manages a team of stakeholder & community engagement professionals to identify and mitigate social risk, result in a social license to operate for RWE’s energy generation projects across the United States. Manage a nationwide team as part of a regionally-matrixed Corporate Affairs team, ensuring close collaboration with, and support of, relevant personnel from Development, Operations, Project Execution, and other relevant departments, leading to successful project permitting, favorable local sentiment, and positive long-term relationships with local communities which host our projects. In addition, the role will have a portfolio overseeing stakeholder and social risk management for the West Region (CAISO/WECC). In these capacities, the Sr. Director will partner closely with the leadership of the Development, Project Execution, and Operations teams to ensure stakeholder engagement and risk mitigation strategies are executed to support business priorities and protect and grow the social license to operate.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, political science or other relevant areas
Minimum 10 years of stakeholder engagement or social performance management experience; campaign, community organizing, or advocacy experience for energy development projects, focus on renewable energy projects preferred
Previous management of large organizations, experience working in complex environments, and collaboration with multiple external and internal stakeholders at all levels of an organization
Experience working in renewable energy or natural gas generation development, rural communities, community development, environmental management, or local government
Significant experience developing multi-stakeholder engagement plans and tracking outcomes using a CRM tool (e.g. Salesforce)
Demonstrated supervisory experience managing teams in multiple locations with a track record of strong leadership and collaborative partnership to drive business outcomes
Proven demonstration of ability to influence, communicate and partner with leaders at all levels, including executive leadership
Strong leadership and communication skills, and ability to meet deadlines
Strong organization skills and ability to coordinate multiple tasks and deliverables across a nationwide team
Ability to multi-task, while working independently and as part of a team
Motivated self-starter, goal-oriented, and strong problem-solving abilities
Proven ability to empathize, build relationships, and effectively communicate with people from a diverse set of backgrounds
Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations across multiple jurisdictions
Strong interpersonal skills, with ability to manage customer relationships
Excellent proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) and Teams
Proficiency in Salesforce or comparable CRM
Responds well to direction, is easy to challenge and develop, and is coachable
Is detail-oriented, has strong business acumen, and a sound understanding of business concepts

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in relevant fields preferred
Knowledge of the structure and function of US, state, regional and local government including experience with energy permitting and regulatory issues is preferred

Responsibilities

Manage a nationwide Stakeholder Engagement team, as part of a regionally-matrixed Corporate Affairs team, ensuring standardized processes and consistent risk analysis, planning, and mitigation efforts are executed to proactively mitigate social risk to energy development projects and secure social license to operate. This will include managing the core disciplines of stakeholder engagement, social risk and impact assessment, stakeholder matricies and mapping, and community investment and relationship management
In addition to leading the Stakeholder Engagement department, this position will be responsible for the Stakeholder Engagement activities in the West Region (CAISO, WECC – ~25-30% of expected time), managing the Stakeholder Engagement Sr. Manager – West Region in executing stakeholder engagement and social risk mitigation strategies in support of business priorities
Oversee the design and execution of stakeholder management, social risk mitigation, and community investment strategies to protect the value of priority projects and operational assets across RWE’s US portfolio
Proactively identify issues and potential resolution options and build integrated support from state and local stakeholders for RWE projects. Work with organizational leadership and project teams to ensure necessary budgets and capacity are secured to mitigate opposition risk to energy development projects
Create strategic frameworks to guide the team in identifying, evaluating, and directing external consultants in promoting the Company’s projects, negotiate contracts, and ensure compliance with all RWE policies and performance standards
Interact with local governmental officials, community stakeholders, and RWE teams to manage social acceptance risk for wind, solar, energy storage, and flex-gen technologies in local areas, with a focus on the West Region
Coordinate coalition building and strengthen relationships with strategic non-profit organizations, associations, and other national or regional partners who support energy project siting and deployment
Oversee and execute Salesforce CRM strategic campaigns for use by Community Engagement, Development, Project Execution, Operations, Communications, Government Relations, and other departments to effectively communicate, and build long-term relationships, with local stakeholders, identify energy project supporters, and ensure relationship continuity across all phases of a project’s lifecycle
Ensure consistent internal communication on community engagement activities and risks or issues impacting the Company and projects
Manage the implementation of community benefit initiatives throughout the lifecycle of a project, from small donations, sponsorships, and memberships during early-stage development and operations to long-term Community Benefit Agreements and strategic, life-cycle oriented relationships
Develop the talent of the Stakeholder Engagement team members to ensure continuous growth in their skills as practitioners and leaders in the field
Provide strategic counsel and recommendations on Stakeholder Engagement, social risk management, and community engagement best practices to VP, State Government Affairs & Stakeholder Engagement and others in the organization.