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

Vision

Pension / 401(k)

Paid time off

Job summary

Xcel Energy, based in Denver, seeks an experienced public affairs and communications leader to guide strategic outreach for Operations projects. You will partner with executives and project teams to shape messages, engage media, and build relationships with government entities, tribes, and communities across service territories.

The role requires seasoned experience in public affairs, regulatory affairs, and stakeholder management, with travel across the region.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic public affairs and communications direction to executive leadership and project teams.
• Leads media relations and stakeholder engagement across jurisdictions to support project goals.
• Oversees external communications/public affairs consultants and reports progress to executives.
• Supports major infrastructure project communication and regulatory relations activities.

Skills

Strategic communications

Media liaison

Stakeholder engagement

Public affairs

Team leadership

Regulatory relations

Crisis communications

Education

Bachelor's degree in journalism or communications

Master's degree in public policy 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 SummaryThis 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 ResponsibilitiesPublic 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 RequirementsBachelor'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 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: $112,200.00 to $159,400.00 per yearThis 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 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: 10/06/26EEO 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.