Public Affairs Communications Manager

Xcel Energy; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 112,000 - 159,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Incentive Program

Medical plan

Dental plan

Vision plan

Life Insurance

401(k) plan

PTO

Job summary

Xcel Energy in Denver seeks a Senior Public Affairs Director to guide strategic public affairs and communications for Operations. You will lead plans to build relationships with media, government bodies, tribal nations, and local communities, and manage public affairs consultants across multiple projects.

Based in Denver, the role travels across the service territory to support capital projects in Colorado and Texas/New Mexico, requiring strong collaboration with executives and cross-functional

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, public affairs, political science, business or related field.
• Master's degree in public policy, communications, political science, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of ten years of experience in public affairs, communications, government and community relations.
• Experience in regulatory area desirable.

Responsibilities

• Public affairs strategic direction, counsel and support: Works with executive staff and project teams to identify critical issues that may impede or enhance the success of Operations projects and develops strategic plans to effectively address such issues.
• Strategic communications: Develops and implements communication strategies, key messages, presentations and public events to enhance the public perception of the Company.
• Media liaison: Directs media relations programs to ensure clear communication of project information.
• Management: Oversees external consultants and reports to executives with status updates.

Skills

Public affairs

Stakeholder engagement

Media relations

Strategic communications

Regulatory affairs

Education

Bachelor's degree in journalism or communications, public affairs, political science, business or related field

Master's degree in public policy, communications, political science, or related field

Job description

Xcel Energy(NASDAQ:XEL)is a leading energy providerand Fortune 500company,dedicated toserving millionsofelectricity andnaturalgascustomersacross eight states:Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota,New Mexicoand Texas.We make energy work better forourcustomers, helping them thrive every day. That means always raising the bar-delivering better service and providing more reliable, resilient,and sustainable energy.

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

This position is responsible for providing strategic public affairs and communications direction, counsel and support to executive leadership and business units, and individual project teams and management. Along with individual project participants, this position will: lead the development of public affairs and communications strategies to promote the success of Operations business areas. Lead multi-utility teams in the development of plans to build relationships and conduct effective communications with media, governmental units, tribal nations, city, county and township organizations, the public and affected landowners, and other stakeholders as identified in project areas (e.g., local business community, neighborhood organizations and others); manage communications in support of the collaborative planning effort; and serve as liaison between project management and legislative, regulatory and technical project areas.

This role is based in Denver and will support Xcel Energy Transmission capital projects for our Colorado and Texas/New Mexico service territories. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience supporting major infrastructure projects requiring public outreach, including education and engagement, serving as public spokesperson, and managing public affairs consultants. This role requires strong interpersonal and organizational skills, working with internal and external stakeholders, and will involve travel across our service territory.

Essential Responsibilities

• Public affairs strategic direction, counsel and support: Works with executive staff and project teams to identify critical issues that may impede or enhance the success of Operations projects and develops strategic plans to effectively address such issues. Establishes and manages system to monitor related developments in the utility and related industries and brings current knowledge and best practices to the organization. May include leadership of one or more staff responsible for managing interface with critical local, state or federal officials and agencies that have significant influence on business area projects (e.g. city councils, legislators, government agencies, etc.).
• Strategic communications: Develops and implements communication strategies, key messages, presentations and public events to enhance the public perception of the Company. Provides communications guidance, support and counsel on legislative and regulatory relations. Leads communication team and coordinates communications strategies with project management, community relations, regulatory and project permitting/routing leads on relevant projects. Manage major project websites, social media tools and video opportunities to expand the visibility of the company's transmission work.
• Media liaison: In collaboration with the media relations team, directs the development and implementation of media relations programs to ensure the Company and business area vision is clearly understood by the public and to provide accurate information regarding Operations projects.
• Management: Oversees the work of external communications/public affairs consultants. Develops departmental priorities and goals in support of project and corporate goals. Develops and delivers strategy and status reports to utility executives and to project development managers, as applicable.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in journalism or communications, public affairs, political science, business or related field required.
• Master's degree in public policy, communications, political science, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of ten years of experience required in the areas of public affairs, communications, government and community relations.
• Experience in regulatory area desirable.

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 of
• Opportunities to grow
• Rewards that help you thrive

Xcel Energy provides jobapplicantsreasonable accommodations for disabilitiesthroughout the application process. If youare in need ofanaccommodationto complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the Applicant Accommodation RequestForm.

Non-Bargaining

The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $112,200.00 to $159,400.00 per year

This position is eligible for the following benefits: Annual Incentive Program, Medical/Pharmacy Plan, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Care Reimbursement Account, Health Care Reimbursement 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.

Deadline to Apply: 10/06/26

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Accessibility Statement

Xcel 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.