Manager, Community Relations - Large Loads

Xcel Energy; Amarillo (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual incentive

Medical plan

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

401(k)

Pension

Paid time off

Holidays

Job summary

Xcel Energy is seeking a Senior Community Engagement Leader to shape and implement jurisdiction-specific engagement plans for large-load growth projects across multiple states. You will build and maintain relationships with officials, community leaders, and local organizations, guiding outreach as projects progress.

The role requires a college degree in a related field, 7 years of experience in community engagement or public affairs, and strong interpersonal skills.

Qualifications

• College degree in communications, public affairs, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 7 years of experience developing community engagement or public affairs strategy, ideally in an energy, infrastructure, or large-scale development context.
• Very strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work with complex issues in a public setting.
• Ability to work independently and be a self-starter.
• Must be willing to work non-traditional hours to attend community and local government meetings.

Responsibilities

• Build community- and jurisdiction-specific engagement plans for large-load growth projects, tailored to local context and stakeholder landscape.
• Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, community leaders, relevant economic development or governing bodies, and local organizations.
• Respond to, listen for, and elevate community concerns and questions related to growth projects, including monitoring local regulatory or approval processes that may affect project timing.
• Keep internal teams informed of community sentiment and local developments; coordinate with counterparts from other OpCos and central communications team.
• Partner with existing Community Relations, Account Management, and/or local partners (e.g., NGOs, EDCs, governments) to ensure coordinated outreach and share learnings across the territory.
• Tailor messaging to jurisdiction-specific priorities and keep engagement aligned as regulatory filings and site development progress.
• Perform special projects and other duties, as required.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Public affairs strategy

Education

Communications degree

Job description

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) is a leading energy provider and Fortune 500 company, dedicated to serving millions of electricity and natural gas customers across eight states: Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and Texas. We make energy work better for our customers, helping them thrive every day. That means always raising the bar - delivering better service and providing more reliable, resilient, and sustainable energy.Xcel Energy is a place where you’ll have opportunities to grow, expand your skills, and help lead the clean energy transition. We offer meaningful rewards, recognition, and support to help you build your career and make an impact - both on the job and beyond. Most importantly, it means you’ll be joining a company that knows employees are the driving force behind its success and is committed to helping you be your best.Xcel Energy supports a hybrid work model to enable collaboration and flexibility. Many roles are expected to work onsite three days per week (Tuesday–Thursday); however, work location expectations vary based on role, team, and business needs.Position SummaryLeader responsible for building and maintaining community relationships in support of the Company's growth projects across [Jurisdiction], with particular focus on large-load customer developments. Develops jurisdiction-specific engagement plans tailored to local context, builds relationships with local officials, community organizations, and relevant economic development or regulatory bodies, and maintains an ongoing view of community sentiment and local risk factors across the territory to help guide project planning. Works with counterparts across Community Relations and Communications to coordinate strategy and messaging, and with regulatory and site development teams to keep communities informed as projects progress. Represents the Company in local government and community engagement, building trusted relationships with officials, governing bodies, and community stakeholders to support the Company's growth projects.Essential Responsibilities1) Build community- and jurisdiction-specific engagement plans for large-load growth projects, tailored to local context and stakeholder landscape2) Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, community leaders, relevant economic development or governing bodies, and local organizations3) Respond to, listen for, and elevate community concerns and questions related to growth projects, including monitoring local regulatory or approval processes that may affect project timing4) Keep internal teams informed of community sentiment and local developments; coordinate with counterparts from other OpCos and central communications team5) Partner with existing Community Relations, Account Management, and/or local partners (e.g., NGOs, EDCs, governments) to ensure coordinated outreach and share learnings across the territory6) Tailor messaging to jurisdiction-specific priorities and keep engagement aligned as regulatory filings and site development progress7) Perform special projects and other duties, as requiredMinimum RequirementsCollege degree in communications, public affairs, or related field, or equivalent experience7 years of experience developing community engagement or public affairs strategy, ideally in an energy, infrastructure, or large-scale development contextVery strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work with complex issues in a public settingAbility to work independently and be a self-starterMust be willing to work non-traditional hours to attend community and local government meetingsPreferred RequirementsExperience working across multi-state, multi-jurisdiction, or municipal/local government contextsExperience coordinating with external communications or public affairs partnersFamiliarity with economic development organizations (EDCs) and their role in project siting/community engagementFamiliarity with rural electric cooperatives, zoning processes, or other jurisdiction-specific land/site partnership structuresOur culture is grounded in shared values and employee commitments that guide how we work, support one another, and grow together.Our ValuesConnected, Committed, Trustworthy, SafeOur Employee CommitmentsWork that makes a differenceA team you can count ofOpportunities to growRewards that help you thriveXcel Energy provides job applicants reasonable accommodations for disabilities throughout the application process. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the Applicant Accommodation Request Form.Non-BargainingThe anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $110,000.00 to $138,600.00 per yearThis position is eligible for the following benefits: Annual Incentive Program, Medical/Pharmacy Plan, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, Health Care Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA), Transportation Reimbursement Account, Short-term disability (STD), Long-term disability (LTD), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Tuition reimbursement, Transit programs, Employee recognition program, Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays, Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO), Parental LeaveBenefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.Deadline to Apply: 10/27/26EEO is the Law (PDF) | Equal Opportunity Statement (PDF) | Employee Rights (PDF)All Xcel Energy employees and contractors share responsibility for protecting the company's information and systems by adhering to cybersecurity policies, standards, and best practices, recognizing that cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility.Accessibility StatementXcel Energy endeavors to make https://www.xcelenergy.com and https://jobs.xcelenergy.com accessible to any and all users. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the Applicant Accommodation Request Form. For any other application related questions, including application follow-ups or technical issues, please use our Recruiting Assistance, Electra, for assistance. Electra can be found in the lower right-hand corner of our Xcel Energy Careers site.