State Affairs Manager

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation • Tallahassee, FL

2d

About The Position

The State Affairs Manager is responsible for initiating, developing, and
preserving key governmental relationships with federal, state, and local
officials and staff, as well as business and community leaders to successfully
support and achieve business unit goals and objectives. Works to understand and
influence policy, advocate for the company's interests, and ensure compliance
with relevant regulations. The role is also responsible for influencing the
positive outcome of issues, promoting the company’s image and reputation, and
creating opportunities to support strategic business development within state
level affairs and regional affairs as assigned. The incumbent will provide
recommendations on local and state policy initiatives, and political activities
that impact Chesapeake’s business units. Manager is required to live in
Tallahassee Florida and have local Emergency operation Center responsibilities
for state and/or Jackson County.

Requirements

• Must be very comfortable with public speaking.
• Must have a high level of initiative and be able to be self-directed.
• Must be able to respond creatively to unique situations.
• Must have very good written and verbal communication skills.
• Interprets internal/external business challenges and recommends best practices to improve products, processes or services.
• Works independently, with guidance in only the most complex situations.
• Communicates complex concepts; anticipates potential objections and influences others to adopt a different point of view.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Communications or Business related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of political experience, lobbying, or communications experience. Utility and regulatory experience a plus.
• Must have a valid Driver’s license and responsible driving record.

Nice To Haves

• Utility and regulatory experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Establishes and maintains relationships with federal, state, and local elected officials in state/s assigned.
• Develops governmental relationships with other utility companies, agencies, and associations.
• Participates in the communication of the natural gas advocacy campaign.
• Responsible for maintaining the governmental/political and community outreach strategy playbook plan and assignments.
• Responsible for research of political environments ahead of business development at the state level.
• Represent company in strategic industry/association/chamber organizations and ensures appropriate.
• Company engagement to enhance business relationships between company and complex, high-value state leaders.
• Attends local officials’ meetings in assigned territories to monitor governmental activities and build and maintain relationships with local elected officials and community leaders.
• Provides operational support in a public liaison role under NIMS for responding to emergency situations, town outages, right of way issues, and system integrity issues.
• Support the permitting, siting and development of utility infrastructure and projects.
• Drafts and monitors business, energy and regulatory legislation impacting Chesapeake.
• Provides legislative support for new business and regulatory initiatives, as needed.
• Attends political and other activities in company service territories.
• Keeps abreast of events and issues relevant to company through monitoring various company. operations, external communications, political environments, local interested stakeholders, etc. and distribute as appropriate.
• Prepare briefings, position papers as necessary.
• Drafts and makes presentations on legislative activities and state level politics.
• Develops relationships with other utility companies’ external affairs professionals.
• Performs all other duties as assigned by External Affairs Director.

Benefits

• Flexible work arrangement
• Competitive base salary
• Fantastic opportunities for career growth
• Cooperative, supportive and empowered team atmosphere
• Annual bonus and salary increase opportunities
• Monthly recognition events
• Endless wellness initiatives and community events
• Robust and customizable benefit packages-choose what works best with your life. Options include generous 401k, medical, dental and life insurance, tuition reimbursement, compensated volunteer hours and MORE!
• Paid time off, holidays and a separate bank of sick time

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees