Government & Community Relations Manager I or Government & Community Relations Manager II

Duke Energy; Columbus (IN); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Government & Community Relations Manager to foster relationships with local governments and communities. This role is crucial in enhancing the company’s image and managing public policy issues. You will develop strategies to engage stakeholders, manage philanthropic initiatives, and serve as a spokesperson on community matters. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills and a deep understanding of the political landscape. Join a team that values your contributions and offers a supportive work environment, where you can make a meaningful impact on the communities we serve.

Benefits

Commuter vehicle

Competitive pay

Opportunities for growth

Recognition for work

Friendly work environment

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in government and community relations.
• Strong understanding of state and local political processes.
• Ability to work with minimal daily direction.

Responsibilities

• Manage local government and community relationships for Duke Energy.
• Develop and implement strategies for community engagement.
• Serve as a media spokesperson on community issues.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Analytical/problem-solving skills

Relationship management

Political savvy

Conflict resolution skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Finance

Bachelor's degree in Business

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Government & Community Relations Manager I or Government & Community Relations Manager II page is loaded

Government & Community Relations Manager I or Government & Community Relations Manager II

Apply locations Columbus, IN Aurora, IN Connersville, IN Greensburg, IN time type Full time posted on Posted 2 Days Ago time left to apply End Date: May 19, 2025 (11 days left to apply) job requisition id R34845

More than a career - a chance to make a difference in people's lives.

Build an exciting, rewarding career with us – help us make a difference for millions of people every day. Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you'll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits.

Depending upon the desired qualifications of the successful applicant, the hiring manager may elect to fill this position at a higher level within the job hierarchy.

Please Note: It is strongly preferred that the successful applicant for this position reside in the counties that make up the Eastern Territory. The Eastern Territory district encompasses Bartholomew, Jackson, Jennings, Rush, Fayette, Union, Decatur, Franklin, Ripley, Dearborn & Ohio counties.

This position will be provided a commuter vehicle.

Job Summary

The Government & Community Relations Manager manages local government, business and community relationships and issues within Duke Energy’s service territory and oversees and coordinates local philanthropy in support of corporate and community objectives, typically with limited oversight and direction. Through integration with internal partners, employees in this position develop, implement and monitor strategies for the success of Duke Energy’s business objectives and issues. Key responsibilities include local government and key leader relationship management and community engagement, continuous education of stakeholders on issues of importance to Duke Energy, and creation of grassroots advocacy for Duke Energy’s business positions. This position influences the outcome of issues that affect Duke Energy’s image and reputation in the community.

Responsibilities

Relationship management

• Manages area governmental, business and community relationships and contacts within Duke Energy service territory on behalf of Duke Energy business units to ensure business unit objectives can be successfully achieved and effectively promotes and enhances the Corporation's image and reputation.
• Contacts and confers with members of local government and other public officials, including state and local, to influence the passage, defeat or amendment to local ordinances or legislation of interest that impacts Duke Energy’s business objectives.
• Represents Duke in strategic industry/associational/chamber organizations to enhance business relationships between Duke Energy and complex, high-value community leaders. Own and manage the total customer relationship including interfaces with other Duke Energy departments including Duke Energy executives.
• Remains abreast of trends and developments in the political climate and current public policy issues affecting the Company.
• Studies and evaluates proposed ordinances to determine impact on the Company affecting things such as taxes, fees, ability to effectively locate and relocate our facilities, service charges, etc.

Project and Issues Management

Identifies and resolves various issues, events and activities affecting Duke Energy Corporation. Identifies and develops plans to resolve issues to preserve/enhance community relationships and the Corporation’s reputation. Must remain knowledgeable of enterprise-wide issues and is responsible for serving as lead negotiator and frequently decision maker, to resolve issues affecting Duke Energy business units operating within the Duke Energy service territory. Often serves as media spokesperson on various issues in the community.Must have broad and deep knowledge of corporate issues. Examples including but not limited to:

• Company and industry wide issues and policies
• New generation strategies
• Right-of-Way management and line clearance issues
• Facilities placement, managing requests for overhead to underground conversion of distribution facilities, etc.
• Air and water quality environmental issues
• Responds to escalated customer issues
• Sale of Duke Energy assets (land and buildings)
  

Philanthropy

• Develop local philanthropic strategies to use Duke Energy Foundation, community development and business enhancement funds in a strategic way for the communities we serve.
• Develop budgets and community relations programs, and deploy resources.

Education and Advocacy

• Educated and knowledgeable of Duke's public policy, regulatory and business positions to accurately collaborate with local communities and Government agencies. Develop strategies to educate external constituencies to build advocacy for Duke Energy positions.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive working knowledge of electric systems and components, including those associated with the Company's transmission and distribution system, as well as the effect of the interface with the customer's systems.
• Ensure that effective communication and education channels are established and maintained to share key information and assistance between Duke Energy and assigned customers/stakeholders. Prepare and present to customers/associations information about pertinent emerging issues. Keep contact information updated in salesforce.com for company campaigns.

Basic/Required Qualifications

Note: This posting is for one open position. Dependent on relative experience, the level to which a candidate is aligned is outlined below.

Government & Community Relations Manager I

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Engineering, Finance, Business or other related degree
• In addition to bachelor's degree, five (5) years minimum of related work experience
• In lieu of bachelor's degree AND five (5) years minimum of related work experience listed above, high school diploma/GED AND ten (10) years minimum of related work experience

Government & Community Relations Manager II

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Engineering, Finance, Business or other related degree
• In addition to bachelor's degree, seven (7) years minimum of related work experience
• In lieu of bachelor's degree AND seven (7) years minimum of related work experience listed above, high school diploma/GED AND ten (10) years minimum of related work experience

Specific Requirements

• Valid driver's license

Desired Qualifications

• Five (5) plus years of experience with Duke Energy, or equivalent experience with lead responsibility for managing governmental and/or business and community relations.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills
• Analytical/problem-solving skills
• Base knowledge of Duke Energy corporate and utility business and enterprise strategy
• Demonstrated experience in managing relationships
• Demonstrated understanding of state and local political process
• Ability to work with minimal daily direction
• Extensive & thorough knowledge of electric distribution and transmission systems & grid operations
• Comprehensive financial and business acumen.
• Demonstrated experience managing relationships with utility's largest and most complex customer and/or key stakeholders.
• Political savvy and understanding of local and state political processes.
• Demonstrated conflict resolution and management skills, excellent leadership skills, and good facilitation skills all levels, both internal and external, to Duke Energy.

Working Conditions

• Attendance at early morning, night and weekend community meetings and activities
• Extensive travel throughout the assigned territory and occasionally the state, 5-15% travel outside of territory
• Requires availability 24/7 for storm response or other issues/emergencies.
• Hybrid Mobility Classification – Work will be performed from both remote and onsite locations after the onboarding period. However, hybrid employees should live within a reasonable daily commute to posted Duke Energy facility.

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#LI-Hybrid

Travel Requirements

5-15%

Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)

No

Represented/Union Position

No

Visa Sponsored Position

No

Posting Expiration Date

Monday, May 19, 2025

All job postings expire at 12:01 AM on the posting expiration date.

Please note that in order to be considered for this position, you must possess all of the basic/required qualifications.

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Do Not Sell My Personal Information (CA)

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Brighter opportunities.Brighter futures. Duke Energy values ideas that come from a diverse and inclusive workforce, and we’re dedicated to providing a work environment where all people are valued, respected and able to reach their full potential. Duke Energy is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, including but not limited to lactation, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, medical condition, military status, or protected veteran status. Duke Energy complies with all applicable state, federal and local laws, regulations and ordinances prohibiting discrimination.