Sr. Stakeholder Engagement Manager (East)

RWE

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Stakeholder Engagement Senior Manager – East Region works with internal Development, Operations, Project Execution, and other relevant teams to identify and mitigate social risks to achieve a social license to operate for RWE Americas’ energy generation projects in the East Region (Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states). This position will be responsible for helping to develop and executing the regional community engagement strategy in the East, in coordination with the Sr. Director, Stakeholder Engagement. In coordination with a regionally matrixed Corporated Affairs team, this position will be responsible for creating and implementing community engagement plans, educating local stakeholders, organizing public events and recruiting attendees, building relationships with project supporters, managing external vendors, and representing RWE in communities that host our projects. This position reports to the Sr. Director of Stakeholder Engagement.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, political science or other relevant areas
Minimum 5 years advocacy experience for energy/infrastructure development projects, political or issue-based campaign management, or community organizing
Previous experience working within a large organization & collaboration with multiple internal and external stakeholders
Strong leadership and communication skills, and ability to effectively manage to meet targets and deadlines
Strong organization and time-management skills, with ability to coordinate, lead, and complete multiple tasks and deliverables
Demonstrated ability to achieve deliverables while working in ambiguity and provide direct and transparent feedback to peers and leadership
Demonstrated ability to manage work over a broad geographic area and clearly prioritize competing demands on time and resources to achieve deliverables
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
Strong interpersonal skills, with ability to manage customer relationships
Ability to interpret local energy laws, regulations, and ordinances and analyze their impacts
Excellent proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) and Teams
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
This position is an office-based role in Washingotn, DC, with some travel (up to 60%) to other RWE offices and field locations, largely in rural communities
Comfortable with overnight stays in remote areas
Must be able to drive, sit, walk, or stand for long durations of time and carry up to 50 lbs.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. RWE Americas is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in renewable and/or gas generation energy and infrastructure development, rural communities, community development, agriculture, environmental management, organizing, or local government is strongly preferred
Knowledge of the structure and function of state and local government including experience with energy permitting and regulatory issues is preferred
Previous experience managing direct reports is a plus
Proficiency in Salesforce preferred

Responsibilities

Lead, manage, and support stakeholder and community engagement strategy, outreach, and activities across RWE’s portfolio of operating and development projects in the East Region (Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states)
Collaborate with energy project development, construction, and operations teams to integrate community engagement and public education into project plans in order to achieve a “social license to operate” for RWE’s projects
Conduct Social Risk and Community Assessment research and stakeholder mapping exercises to analyze relative likelihood of organized opposition and identify strategies to ensure local approval of development projects
Create and implement community engagement plans for development, construction, and operational projects
Support development and operations teams with maintaining a contact or Customer Relationship Management (CRM) database for local stakeholders at each assigned RWE project in the East Region
Plan and attend in-person community events, including site tours, open houses, landowner dinners, school or community group presentations, and local fairs or festivals
Provide input to Communications on project-specific marketing needs, such as project websites, newsletters, fact sheets, and other communications materials
Manage community relations purchases, invoices, and external consultants supporting social media, digital marketing, media relations, grassroots and grasstops organizing, local public affairs or other community engagement campaign activities
Work with project development teams to set up local offices and, when necessary, recruit local hires as community liaisons
Meet with project stakeholders, engage with local government officials and decisionmakers, track community concerns, and report on organized opposition around development projects
Design social investment plans that help RWE achieve its corporate goals while meeting the particular needs of local communities
Enhance relationships and networks with senior internal/external partners who are not familiar with the subject matter often requiring persuasion. Adapt style to differing audiences and advise as an SME on difficult matters
Devise solutions based on limited information and precedent and adapt existing approaches to resolve issues. Use evaluation, judgment, and interpretation to select right course of action. Work is done independently and is reviewed at critical points. Complete knowledge and full understanding of area of specialization, principles and practices within a professional discipline. Assess unusual circumstances and use sophisticated analytical and problem solving techniques to identify cause. Resolve a wide range of issues in creative ways and suggest variations in approach