Manager - Community Engagement

Dte Energy; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

DTE Energy seeks a seasoned leader to head community partnerships, shaping strategies to establish and expand DTE’s network with nonprofits, community groups, and leaders. This role emphasizes strategic thinking, relationship-building, and alignment with company objectives across our service territory.

Responsibilities include guiding senior leadership, managing major engagement programs, and driving measurable outcomes while traveling locally as needed for events and collaborations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, communications, business administration, marketing, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 8 years of job-relevant experience and 2 years of formal leadership experience.
• Ability to attend external events during work hours and after hours.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple, complex projects under tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Develops and leads a strategy to build DTE’s network of community partners.
• Oversees goals, objectives, and KPIs to measure partnership impact.
• Represents DTE to internal and external stakeholders.
• Leads community engagement programs and events.
• Identifies and evaluates external partnership opportunities.
• Advises senior management on community outreach.
• Manages and develops a cohesive team and leadership functions.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public policy, communications, business administration, marketing, or related discipline

Tools

MS PowerPoint

Excel

Word

Job description

Job Summary

Responsible for leading a team to develop and execute strategies to establish and strengthen DTE’s partnerships with community stakeholders, identifying barriers and developing opportunities for strategic collaboration across our service territory. Utilize strategic thinking and relationship building techniques to pursue partnership opportunities that align with the company’s objectives and drive community engagement efforts. Manage and maintain relationships with a broad set of stakeholders to enhance the company’s credibility and support business objectives. Engage in significant interaction with DTE’s senior leadership and influential leaders from external organizations. Span of control: typically < 10 FTEs (direct and indirect).

Hybrid Role

Must be able to come on site periodically and reside at a commutable distance from the assigned work location.

Emergency Response

Must be available to perform a primary assignment in support of DTE’s emergency response to storms or other events that impact service to our customers.

Key Accountabilities

• Develops and leads a comprehensive strategy to establish and expand DTE’s network of community partners, including nonprofits, community groups, and community leaders.
• Leads the oversight of goals, objectives, and key performance indicators to measure the success and impact of partnership initiatives.
• Provides direct oversight and involvement in DTE’s community engagement and outreach strategic plan.
• Represents DTE internally and externally and cultivates relationships with key stakeholders to increase awareness and visibility in the community.
• Oversees development and management of major community engagement programs, events, and forums such as the Community Partners Meeting, Community Advisory Council, and enterprise‑wide United Way fundraising program.
• Identifies, assesses, and evaluates opportunities for external partnerships on an ongoing basis and adjusts strategies and tactics accordingly.
• Builds relationships with key influential and thought leaders to promote and advocate company positions.
• Evaluates new partnership opportunities to ensure alignment with business priorities and oversees execution.
• Conducts research and analysis to identify and pursue potential partnership opportunities that align with DTE’s goals and objectives.
• Develops and maintains a cohesive team of employees and performs leader functions that include selection, coaching, development, goal setting and performance management, as well as the utilization of other rewards and recognition tools to optimize individual and team performance.
• Advises, supports, and serves as a company expert on community outreach to all members of senior management.

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, communications, business administration, marketing, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 8 years of job‑relevant experience and 2 years of formal leadership experience.

Other Qualifications

• Ability to recognize potential synergies between philanthropic opportunities and the enterprise’s public policy, relationship building, and credibility objectives.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to interact with all levels of management and external parties.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Ability to attend external events during work hours and after hours.
• Ability to think strategically to develop new programs with little or no previous structure in place.
• Ability to manage multiple, complex projects under tight deadlines in a fast‑paced environment with often changing priorities.
• Analytical and problem‑solving skills to identify key issues from a broad range of alternatives and recommend optimal solutions.
• Computer skills including MS PowerPoint, Excel, Word, etc.
• Local/regional travel required.

Equal Opportunity Employment

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer that considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, disability, national origin, citizenship, height, weight, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

Privacy Notice for California Job Applicants: At DTE Energy, we are committed to providing an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome and a sense of belonging.