Manager, Community Relations - Large Loads

Southwestern Public Service Co; Missouri; Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Incentive Program

Medical/Pharmacy Plan

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

Dependent Care Flexible Spending Ad

Health Care Flexible Spending Ad

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Limited-Purpose FSA

Transportation Reimbursement Ad

Short-term disability (STD)

Long-term disability (LTD)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Fitness Center Reimbursement

Tuition reimbursement

Transit programs

Employee recognition program

Pension

401(k) plan

Paid time off (PTO)

Holidays

Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO)

Parental Leave

Job summary

Xcel Energy in the United States seeks a leader to build and maintain community relationships across jurisdictions to support growth projects, engaging officials, NGOs and local partners while coordinating with regulatory and site development teams.

The role requires experience in multi-state public affairs, exceptional interpersonal skills, and the ability to work non-traditional hours to attend meetings; hybrid work arrangement with onsite presence several days weekly.

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 energy, infrastructure, or large-scale development.
• Very strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work with complex issues in a public setting.

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 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 communication

Public relations

Stakeholder engagement

Education

College degree in communications or related field

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 Summary

Leader 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 Responsibilities

• 1) Build community- and jurisdiction-specific engagement plans for large-load growth projects, tailored to local context and stakeholder landscape
• 2) Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, community leaders, relevant economic development or governing bodies, and local organizations
• 3) 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
• 4) Keep internal teams informed of community sentiment and local developments; coordinate with counterparts from other OpCos and central communications team
• 5) 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
• 6) Tailor messaging to jurisdiction-specific priorities and keep engagement aligned as regulatory filings and site development progress
• 7) Perform special projects and other duties, as required

Minimum Requirements

• 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

Preferred Requirements

• Experience working across multi-state, multi-jurisdiction, or municipal/local government contexts
• Experience coordinating with external communications or public affairs partners
• Familiarity with economic development organizations (EDCs) and their role in project siting/community engagement
• Familiarity with rural electric cooperatives, zoning processes, or other jurisdiction-specific land/site partnership structures

Our Culture

Our culture is grounded in shared values and employee commitments that guide how we work, support one another, and grow together. Our Values Connected, Committed, Trustworthy, Safe Our Employee Commitments Work that makes a difference A team you can count on Opportunities to grow Rewards that help you thrive

Xcel 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-Bargaining

Deadline to Apply: 10/27/26

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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.

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 Leave

Benefit 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.

You. Us. Together. At Xcel Energy, we're more than an energy company. We're reinventing how we power communities. Redefining how we care for customers. Reaffirming our commitment to the planet. We're committed to leading with equity and inclusion. You're not waiting for change – you're creating it. You're driven to protect the environment, support your community, and seek innovation. You want a career that grows with you and an employer who values you. You are reliable, trustworthy and bring integrity to everything you do. We are leading the way in clean energy. We're using technology and innovation in every facet of our company. We're providing safe, stable jobs with robust benefits. We keep our customers at the center of all we do. We're committed to hiring a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can provide carbon-free electricity by 2050. Together, we can take care of the environment and our communities. Together, we can create a place where everyone belongs. Together we’re building a better tomorrow.

Salary: $110,000.00 to $138,600.00 per year