External Affairs Manager

Pattern Energy; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 103,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401(k)/RRSP retirement savings plan

Paid time off

Holidays

Life insurance

Employee assistance program

Bonus structure

Job summary

Pattern Energy is seeking an External Affairs Manager to support cross-functional project management, budgeting, and stakeholder engagement across priority markets. You will coordinate with Communications, ESG, Government and Regulatory Affairs, and Public Engagement teams to advance projects and commercial priorities.

The role requires 4–8 years in related fields, a bachelor’s degree, and proven ability to drive complex initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Public Administration, Economics, Communications, Environmental Studies, Business, or related discipline.
• 4-8 years of experience in communications, ESG, government or regulatory affairs, stakeholder engagement, finance, project development or related fields.
• Experience in renewable energy, utility, environmental, infrastructure, transportation, or related industries preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate complex initiatives across multiple business functions.

Responsibilities

• Support External Affairs disciplines through cross-functional project management, coordination, research, events, and execution of priority initiatives.
• Structure and support the budget development process, spending tracking, forecasting, and related reporting for External Affairs priorities.
• Manage core External Affairs team meetings, agendas, follow-ups, collaboration processes, and information flow across disciplines.
• Identify process gaps and execute systems improvements, reporting enhancements, and tools that streamline day-to-day work.
• Prepare reports, presentations, policy analyses, white papers, testimony, comment letters, briefing materials, and other advocacy or executive materials.
• Coordinate with internal business partners and external stakeholders to support Pattern projects, initiatives, and commercial priorities.

Skills

Project management

Budgeting

Stakeholder management

Executive reporting

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Company Overview

Pattern Energy is a leading renewable energy company that develops, constructs, owns, and operates high-quality wind and solar generation, transmission, and energy storage facilities. Our mission is to transition the world to renewable energy through the sustainable development and responsible operation of facilities with respect for the environment, communities, and cultures where we have a presence.

Our approach begins and ends with establishing trust, accountability, and transparency. Our company values of creative spirit, pride of ownership, follow-through, and a team-first attitude drive us to pursue our mission every day. Our culture supports our values by fostering innovative and critical thinking and a deep belief in living up to our promises.

Headquartered in the United States, Pattern has a global portfolio of more than 30 power facilities and transmission assets, serving various customers that provide low-cost clean energy to millions of consumers.

Responsibilities

The External Affairs Manager supports Pattern Energy’s commercial objectives by helping develop, coordinate, and execute integrated External Affairs processes and strategies across priority markets. The role supports Communications, ESG, Government and Regulatory Affairs, and Public Engagement through project management, process and systems improvement, budget coordination, reporting, research, meeting coordination, event planning, and other activities that advance the department’s priorities.

The position works closely with each External Affairs discipline to support cross-functional alignment, accurate budgeting, spending and forecasting, issue and project research, process adoption, reporting and collaboration across the team. The role also interfaces with Development, Asset Management, Origination, Environmental, Land, Legal, Fundamentals and New Markets, and other departments in support of projects, initiatives, and business needs.

The External Affairs Manager will help identify process gaps, implement systems to streamline recurring work, organize team meetings and collaboration, and manage foundational initiatives that improve the effectiveness and scalability of the External Affairs function.

Key Accountabilities

• Support External Affairs disciplines through cross-functional project management, coordination, research, events, and execution of priority initiatives.
• Structure and support the budget development process, spending tracking, forecasting, and related reporting for External Affairs priorities.
• Manage core External Affairs team meetings, agendas, follow-ups, collaboration processes, and information flow across disciplines.
• Identify process gaps and execute systems improvements, reporting enhancements, and tools that streamline day-to-day work.
• Prepare reports, presentations, policy analyses, white papers, testimony, comment letters, briefing materials, and other advocacy or executive materials.
• Coordinate with internal business partners and external stakeholders to support Pattern projects, initiatives, and commercial priorities.

Qualifications

Educational Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Public Administration, Economics, Communications, Environmental Studies, Business, or related discipline.

Experience Requirements

• 4-8 years of experience in communications, ESG, government or regulatory affairs, stakeholder engagement, finance, project development or related fields.
• Direct experience with project management.
• Experience in renewable energy, utility, environmental, infrastructure, transportation, or related industries preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate complex initiatives across multiple business functions.

Additional Requirements

The successful candidate should possess:

• Ability to identify workflow gaps and design and execute process and system improvements.
• Budgeting capabilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building capabilities.
• Ability to synthesize complex information into concise executive-level reports.
• Strong project management, organizational, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to operate independently and collaboratively within a cross-functional environment.
• Commercial mindset with an understanding of project economics and development timelines.

Pay and Benefits

The expected starting pay range for this role is $103,000 - $138,000 USD. This range is an estimate and base pay may be above or below the ranges based on several factors including but not limited to location, work experience, certifications, and education.

Benefits

• bonus structure for full-time employees of all levels
• medical
• dental
• vision
• short and long-term disability
• life insurance
• voluntary benefits
• family care benefits
• employee assistance program
• paid time off and bonding leave
• paid holidays
• 401(k)/RRSP retirement savings plan with employer contribution
• employee referral bonuses

Equal Opportunity Employer

Pattern Energy Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.