Dir Government Affairs

CMS Energy, Corp.; Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401k with company match

Paid parental leave

13 paid holidays

Paid time off

Educational Assistance Program

Job summary

CMS Energy is seeking a Director of Government Affairs to shape state policy and advance the company’s public policy objectives in Michigan. The role requires building relationships with lawmakers, agencies, and stakeholders while guiding strategic advocacy efforts.

The position emphasizes ethics, compliance, and cross-functional collaboration across business units to protect and promote the company’s interests.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher in a relevant field with extensive governmental experience.
• Experience in advocacy and strategic thinking is a plus.
• Ability to build and manage relationships with officials, agencies, and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and support execution of state policy and advocacy objectives.
• Lead consensus building and represent the company at relevant events.
• Ensure compliance with laws and company policies and manage external partnerships.

Skills

Advocacy

Policy analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking

Ethics and compliance

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Government, Law, International Relations, or related field

Associate Degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Government, Law, International Relations, or related field

High School Diploma or GED with 13+ years governmental experience

Job description

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Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy knows job number one is to keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship, e.g., H-1B, TN, etc. Please do not apply if you will need immigration sponsorship for a work visa now or in the future, including sponsorship for H-1B, TN, etc., now or in the future. We are unable to hire individuals with CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT for this position as the position is not eligible for participation in the H-1B lottery program and is not eligible for current or future immigration sponsorship for a work visa.

Location: This is a hybrid (virtual/onsite) position with required onsite days on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday assigned to the Lansing Government Of fice located in Lansing, MI. The selected candidate must be within a commutable distance or willing to relocate (relocation package is available for those that qualify).

General Summary of Job Responsibilities

The Director of Government Affairs is responsible for developing and supporting execution of strategic direction of state policy, advocacy and political objectives leveraging expertise and relationships to represent and achieve company goals. Builds and maintains significant relationships with broad ranging stakeholders and internal network while balancing multiple priorities to achieve positive outcomes. Leads the consensus building process internally and externally defending ideas/strategies and offering creative solutions to further organizational priorities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Implement policy positions and strategies supporting key business priorities and incorporating current state political/public policy to achieve outcomes. Facilitate and support strategic cross-functional teams to identify policy objectives and advocacy plans to achieve goals (coalition building, communications, grassroots, direct lobby).


• Anticipate and evaluate emerging governmental/public issues of potential importance to the company and advise by providing analysis and insights to inform company leaders and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).


• Develop and maintain a strong collaborative relationship elected officials, state departments and agencies, key third parties (stakeholders, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, etc.) and relevant industry associations. Utilize consultant resources effectively.


• Analyze, interpret, and apply information and choose among alternate courses of action to arrive at a recommendation for federal policy goals, objectives, and tactics; Work closely with ally organizations to drive consensus and advance the company’s policy objectives; attend and represent company at industry and other relevant events.


• Support the company’s political engagement strategy and CMS Energy’s political action committee (PAC) providing guidance, education and resources.


• Ensure compliance with all laws and company policies.


• Other non-essential duties as assigned or may be necessary.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Excellent advocacy and communication skills; ability to prepare and deliver verbal/written presentations of technical material to non-technical audiences.


• Strategic thinking - proactively evaluate policy and political activities.


• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills; Persuasion and personal credibility to drive consensus/support for company priorities.


• Problem solving and ability to drive consensus from ambiguity and resistance.


• Strong knowledge of how state government operates.


• Ethics, integrity, trust (compliance and reputation focused).

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Government, Law, International Relations, or a related field with ten (10) or more years in Governmental experience; prior advocacy and strategic thinking a plus.
  
  
  
  • [OR] Associate Degreein Public Policy, Political Science, Government, Law, International Relations, or a related field with twelve (12) or more years in Governmental experience; prior advocacy and strategic thinking a plus.
  
  
  • [OR] High School Diploma or GED with thirteen (13) or moreyears in Governmental experience; prior advocacy and strategic thinking a plus.
  
  
  
  

Why should you join our team?

At Consumers Energy, we offer more than just a place to work. We foster a culture that supports career development, growth, and stability, and we take pride in offering our co-workers excellent benefits and compensation packages. We are deliberately creating an inclusive culture that makes our diverse team of co-workers feel valued, supported, and empowered every day. We're a company made up of thousands of people, all with different stories to share and work to do, but we stand united in our company purpose: world class performance delivering hometown service.

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation packages


• Medical, Dental and Vision


• 401k with company match


• Paid parental leave


• Up to 13 paid Holidays


• Paid time off


• Educational Assistance Program

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

We, at CMS Energy, value Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. It is part of our DNA. We treat our employees with respect, we treat each other fairly and we value the opinions of others. We are passionate about building and nurturing an environment where everyone feels included. We don’t discriminate. We seek to learn about each other and better understand our unique differences. Our uniqueness makes us authentic. We create safe spaces where everyone can be who they truly are. We invite difficult conversations and uncomfortable topics. We value diverse perspectives; this is what makes us great together. We harbor an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to share their backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. Our Employee Resource Groups, Women in Energy (WE), Minority Advisory Panel (MAP), Pride Alliance of Consumers Energy (PACE), GENERGY (Different Generations), capable (Different Abilities), Interfaith, People Planet Partners, and Veterans Advisory Panel (VAP) are key enablers to living the values of our company culture: Caring, Empowered, Deliberate, Agility, and Ownership.

All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

Nearest Major Market: Lansing
Job Segment: Governmental Affairs, Public Policy, Equity, Government, Legal, Finance

Consumers Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please review our Equal Employment Opportunity Policy, Family and Medical Leave Act, and Military Leave Allowance. CMS Energy endeavors to make https://careers.consumersenergy.com/ accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact our team at [e-mail]. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications. ACCOMMODATION NOTICE: Federal law and many state laws require employers to make accommodations to disabled applicants and employees where the accommodation does not impose an undue hardship on the employer. For those applicants seeking a position within the State of Michigan, a disabled individual needing accommodation for employment must notify the employer in writing within 182 days after the need is known or should have been known. Michigan law provides that failure of a Michigan employee to properly notify the employer will preclude any claim that the employer failed to accommodate the disabled individual. However, this does not waive an individual’s right under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, which sets no time limit for requesting an accommodation nor does it require such accommodation in writing.