Government & Community Relations Manager II

Duke Energy Corporation; Fayetteville (NC); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke Energy Corporation is seeking a Government and Community Relations Manager II to lead external affairs across Piedmont's service territory. The role drives stakeholder strategies with state and local officials, business leaders and communities to advance business objectives and protect the company’s license to operate.

The position emphasizes political acumen, negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration to handle complex issues, regulatory matters and community investments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Communication, Finance or other related degree and minimum seven (7) years relevant professional experience.
• In Lieu of Degree, High School/GED and 10 years relevant professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Builds and manages relationships with state and local officials to advance Company objectives.
• Manages governmental, business and community relationships to promote the Company’s image and license to operate.
• Represents the Company in strategic organizations to enhance relationships with community leaders.
• Evaluates proposed ordinances and legislation for potential impacts on the Company.
• Develops and executes stakeholder engagement and community relation strategies.
• Oversees philanthropy strategies and budgets.
• Develops strategies to educate external constituencies about public policy positions.
• Ensures effective communication channels between Piedmont and customers/stakeholders.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Policy analysis

Negotiation

Public speaking

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business/Engineering/Communication

Alternative: 10 years related experience in lieu of degree

Job description

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.

The Government and Community Relations Manager ll (GCRM ll) is an experienced external affairs role responsible for managing state and local government, business and community relationships and issues across Piedmont Natural Gas Company's service territory. Piedmont is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Duke Energy Corporation. The GCRM ll develops and executes stakeholder strategies that advance Piedmont's business objectives, strengthen community relationships and support the Company's reputation and license to operate. Working with minimal oversight, the GCRM ll serves as a trusted Company representative with elected and appointed officials, community and business leaders and other key stakeholders, and demonstrates the political acumen and judgment necessary to navigate dynamic state and local political and governmental environments and influence successful outcomes.

Responsibilities

External Relationship Management

• Builds and manages relationships with state and local elected and appointed officials to advance Company objectives and influence legislation, ordinances and other governmental actions affecting the Company.
• Manages area governmental, business and community relationships and contacts within the Company's service territory to ensure business unit objectives can be successfully achieved and effectively promotes and enhances the Company's image and reputation.
• Represents the Company in strategic industry/associational/chamber organizations to enhance business relationships between the Company and complex, high-value community leaders. Owns and manages key stakeholder relationships, including coordinating interfaces with other Company departments and Company executives.
• Remains abreast of trends and developments in the political climate and current public policy issues affecting the Company.
• Evaluates proposed ordinances, legislation and other governmental actions to assess potential impacts on the Company such as state and local taxes, fees, ability to effectively locate and relocate our facilities, service charges, etc.
• Manages the successful execution of and management to the franchise agreements for municipalities the Company serves that facilitates our "license to operate" within municipal limits. Facilitates the process to establish business plans with targeted municipalities and counties.

Project and Issues Management

Identifies and resolves various issues, events and activities affecting Piedmont. Identifies and develops plans to resolve issues to preserve/enhance community relationships and the Company's reputation. Must remain knowledgeable of enterprise-wide issues and is responsible for serving as lead negotiator and decision-maker in resolving complex or sensitive issues affecting Piedmont at the state and local levels, with minimal oversight and direction. 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, Key Local And State Stakeholder Engagement On

• Company, regional and industry wide issues and policies;
• New growth and gas service strategies;
• Facilities placement and management;
• Project development and execution, including state and local permitting/zoning.
• Community questions or concerns pertaining to the Company's operations and management of Company assets.

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

• Develop strategies to educate external constituencies to build advocacy for Company positions, including the Company's current public policy, regulatory and business positions.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive working knowledge of the Company's natural gas systems and components, as well as the effect of the interface with the customer's gas facilities and equipment/gas needs.
• Ensure that effective communication and education channels are established and maintained to share key information and assistance between Piedmont and assigned customers/stakeholders. Prepare and present to customers/associations information about pertinent emerging issues.

Basic/Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Communication, Finance or other related degree and minimum seven (7) years relevant professional experience
• In Lieu of Degree, High School/GED and 10 years relevant professional experience.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience, including at least one year of direct experience in local government and community relations within the utility industry.
• Demonstrated experience building and managing relationships with government, business, community, or other external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex issues, exercise sound judgment, and work effectively across organizational functions.
• Strong political acumen and ability to navigate dynamic state and local political environments to advance Company business objectives.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, negotiation, and issue-resolution skills.
• Strong financial and business acumen.

Additional Preferred Qualification Pertaining To Professional Work Experience

• Experience evaluating or influencing state or local public policy, legislation, ordinances, permitting, zoning, or other governmental matters affecting business objectives.
• Experience developing and executing stakeholder engagement, community relations, or external affairs strategies.
• Demonstrated leadership experience involving cross-functional business or enterprise strategy, planning, and execution.
• Experience serving as a company representative with media, public officials, community organizations, or other external audiences.
• Experience leading negotiations and resolving complex or sensitive stakeholder issues.
• Experience developing or administering community investment, philanthropic, or civic engagement strategies.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid Mobility Classification - Work will be performed from both remote and onsite locations after the onboarding period. However, hybrid employees must live within a reasonable commute to their designated Duke Energy facility, not greater than 50 miles one way. Employees are expected to report to their assigned Duke Energy facility as required and directed by their manager, on average 3 full workdays per regular workweek.

Travel Requirements

5-15%

Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)

No

Represented/Union Position

No

Visa Sponsored Position

No. This is not a Visa Sponsored Position. This role requires the ability to work lawfully in the U.S. without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future.

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