Government & Community Relations Manager II

Duke Energy; Fayetteville (NC); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke Energy's Piedmont division seeks an experienced Government and Community Relations Manager II to lead external affairs across state and local governments, business and community groups within the Piedmont service territory.

The role develops and executes stakeholder strategies to advance business objectives, strengthen community relationships, and protect the company's license to operate, working with minimal oversight.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Communication, Finance or related field with seven years of relevant experience.
• At least seven years of relevant experience, including local government and community relations in utility settings.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex issues and build relationships with external stakeholders.
• Strong political acumen and ability to navigate state/local environments.

Responsibilities

• External relationship management with state and local officials to advance Company objectives.
• Manage area governmental, business and community relationships within the service territory to promote the Company's image.
• Represent the Company in industry organizations to enhance relationships with community leaders.
• Own and manage key stakeholder relationships across departments and with executives.
• Stay abreast of trends and developments in the political climate affecting the Company.
• Evaluate proposed ordinances and regulations for potential impact on the Company.
• Oversee franchise agreements for municipalities the Company serves to facilitate the license to operate.
• Facilitate strategic planning with municipalities and counties.

Skills

Political acumen

Stakeholder relationships

Negotiation

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Financial acumen

Education

Bachelor’s 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 II (GCRM II) 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 II 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 II 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

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.

Diversity & Inclusion

Read about our commitment to supporting a diverse and inclusive workforce. About Duke Energy Terms of Use 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.