Public Affairs Manager

At National Grid, we keep people connected and society moving. But it's so much more than that. National Grid supplies us with the environment to make it happen. As we generate momentum in the energy transition for all, we don't plan on leaving any of our customers in the dark. So, join us as a Public Affairs Manager, Community and Customer Management, and find your superpower.

National Grid is hiring a Public Affairs Manager, Long Island (Nassau Co). This position will be located in our Melville, NY office.

The Corporate Affairs function champions our company's interests and defends and lifts the National Grid brand and reputation by embracing and simplifying complex messages and environments, cultivating strong relationships with stakeholders, and proactively managing governmental, stakeholder and regulatory environments and community interactions.
The purpose of Corporate Affairs is to protect, promote and enhance the company's reputation in the UK and our US territories. It is to build, and help others build, the reputation that National Grid needs to succeed in the short and long term. We are resilient, strategic, collaborative, creative, connected, global and visionary. We are committed to positively contributing to our communities and advocating for policies and outcomes that support National Grid, our customers, our employees and our partners.

This role is seen as a critical strategically important role within National Grid. The individual will be the primary external face of the company within their respective region, while supporting community engagement, local government/municipal relations, local community investment, and mitigating reputational risk among the most senior elected officials. This individual will also be responsible for supporting the advancement of the Company's Communications Strategy in collaboration with the Communications team, collaborating with the Economic Development group to advise on decisions related to the Company's Economic Development programming, and helping to drive National Grid's future operation and policy priorities by influencing decision makers at a state and regional level.

Responsibilities include leading the accountability for the two-way relationship between National Grid and the communities we serve, overseeing and strategically driving community relations activities in support of business goals established by the company, and acting as the advocate of the needs and interests of communities we serve to internal National Grid departments and leadership. Also, efficient deployment of Company resources to achieve strategic goals, collaborating with other groups internally on key accountabilities to deliver first class customer service and representing National Grid on organizational boards that strategically enhance relationships, advance regional economic development initiatives and/or are positioned to advocate in partnership with National Grid on key issues tied to energy delivery (chambers of commerce, business organizations, etc.), and inform the company's local community investment plans.

* Support the development and implementation of proactive strategies to ensure strong key stakeholder relationships are established and maintained, including with local government officials, civic organizations, not for profit organizations and community members.

* Support implementation of strategies to build, maintain, protect and ensure a solid reputation for National Grid's reputation as an industry leader in energy and the environment by managing the interests of industry and business associations, environmental groups, and other stakeholders.

* Deploy the Company's key campaign strategies, policies, and community initiatives externally to promote, advance and protect National Grid interests in New York State.

* Coordinate with the Communications team on media and public relations matters and opportunities. Plan and execute communications and engagement programs to advance the mission and enhance market visibility and messaging, and to promote the Company's community investments.

* Support local community investments. Provide input on strategy, plan and execution of local community giving programs that align to the Company's priorities in an efficient manner. Support implementation of key corporate initiatives, clean energy transition, and various project initiative for proactive community engagement.

* Collaborate with the Company's Economic Development team to maximize company's economic development grant programs, aligning to company priorities.

* Support external engagement in key internal operational, regulatory and strategic company initiatives, including rate cases and efforts to advance the clean energy transition.

* Build, manage and maintain coalitions in New York to advance the Company's priorities.

* Monitor and advise on local issues. Identify trends, issues and opportunities as strategic input to influence senior Executives to integrate change management and culture transformation initiatives.

* Lead the regional external coordination and execution of the Company's emergency management response plans, in conjunction with Emergency Response Plan during events where service interruptions or other incidents have occurred. Lead all interactions with local elected officials, municipal emergency managers, and key stakeholders. This position will have a dedicated storm/emergency response roll.
* Educate local communities/elected leaders on the Company's energy efficiency and customer assistance programs to provide value to their constituents.

* Liaise with the Company's Customer team regarding Customer managed accounts with strategic value to the Company.

* Execute strategies to develop key stakeholder relationships, contact points, trends and messaging in order to solidify an external reputation as an industry leader in energy and the environment, a concerned corporate citizen, and a socially conscious organization with community values and interests.

* Support the Stakeholder management group, along with identified key distribution communications in advance of major infrastructure upgrades in order to manage community and business owner expectations and demonstrate superior customer service.

* Advance the Company's policy agenda with key stakeholders including Chambers of Commerce, Civic Associations, Business Groups, Non-Profits, etc. to identify and deliver appropriate solutions in line with National Grid policies and procedures, that benefit both parties.

* Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, public relations, communications, finance, economics or political science. Note: Candidates working towards a degree would also be considered.
* Minimum of five+ years' direct experience in public relations.
* Demonstrated success in external affairs and/or lobbying activity.
* Experience interacting with senior executives internally and externally.
* Substantive experience in collaboration and strategic connecting to build strong partnerships with stakeholders.
* Experience with successful Corporate Giving programs and their governance.
* Must possess strong management skills, excellent verbal, digital, written and narrative communications skills along with the ability to write reports and develop presentations for senior management as required.
* Demonstrable network on Long Island and deep understanding of local issues and key stakeholders.
* Engagement, communications, strategic planning, customer or related fields a plus.
* Working knowledge of the business community in New York State.
* Knowledge and understanding of NYS policies and processes and how they impact business.
* Experience in crisis or external emergency management.
* Understanding of the environment and key external industry and non-industry stakeholders which relate to and have an impact on the utilities sector (governmental, regulatory, communities, agencies, industry bodies) within the local, national and global context.
* Resiliency and ability to affect change while maintaining alignment with National Grid strategic direction and goals.
* Exceptional networking skills, including the ability to influence and negotiate with a range of external stakeholders (individuals, agencies and groups).

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