Senior External Affairs Manager

Trajectory Energy Partners; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Annual Professional Development Stipen

Employee Equity Plan

401k with employer match

Paid Vacation and Sick days

Job summary

Trajectory Energy Partners is hiring a Senior External Affairs Manager to oversee community engagement and permitting for solar projects in Illinois. This full-time role involves strategizing external affairs, educating communities, and building relationships with local stakeholders.

With 6-7 years of relevant experience, the candidate will manage external affairs efforts and work closely with project development teams.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6-7 years of experience in external affairs or related fields.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a dynamic environment.
• Experience with local governments in northern Illinois is preferred.
• Knowledge of renewable energy development is helpful.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an external affairs strategy for solar projects.
• Lead permitting efforts for solar and battery storage projects.
• Educate local officials and communities about solar and battery storage.
• Build relationships with elected officials and advocacy groups.
• Partner with developers for project origination and permitting.
• Manage regional and community consultants for project needs.
• Collaborate on external affairs and policy items with leadership.
• Travel required for zoning hearings and local meetings.

Skills

Relationship building

Strategic thinking

Project management

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Job description

Trajectory Energy Partners (Trajectory) is seeking a Senior External Affairs Manager to lead community engagement and permitting efforts for solar and battery storage projects across its pipeline, with a primary focus on the Illinois market. This will be a full-time position, reporting to the Vice President of External Affairs and working in close partnership with Trajectory’s Project Development team.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Develop and execute on an overall external affairs strategy to support Trajectory’s efforts to develop solar and battery storage projects across its state markets.
• Lead permitting efforts for solar and battery storage projects, with a focus on Illinois and the Midwest.
• Lead Trajectory’s efforts to educate local officials and host communities about solar and battery storage.
• Support Trajectory’s project development work by building and maintaining relationships with elected officials, community leaders, and relevant advocacy groups to advance Trajectory's origination and permitting priorities.
• Partner with Trajectory’s developers in the origination and permitting of solar and battery storage.
• Manage a variety of regional and/or community-level consultants to assist with specific project needs.
• Work with the Vice President of External Affairs on external affairs and policy items relating to solar and battery storage.
• Travel is required, including attendance at evening zoning hearings and local government meetings.

Required Qualifications:

The ideal candidate for this position will be looking to join an impactful, successful, and scrappy team as they rise to meet new market conditions. More specifically, they will have a:

• Minimum of 6-7 years of experience in external affairs, public affairs, government affairs, or a related field
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with multiple projects and competing priorities
• Proven project management and organizational skills
• Keen attention to detail
• Experience in permitting work with local governments, and experience with local government in northern Illinois is preferred.
• Knowledge of renewable energy development is helpful

Benefits at Trajectory

Trajectory Energy Partners offers a competitive benefits package, which includes:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance contributions
• Annual Professional Development Stipend
• Employee Equity Plan
• Access to company 401k plus 401k employer match
• Paid Vacation, Sick, and Wellbeing days

Position based in Chicago, IL. or in the surrounding areas. This is a hybrid position with regular travel (25-50%) across Illinois to visit sites and meet local stakeholders and consultants. The salary range for this position is $110,000 - $140,000 commensurate with experience, plus a target annual bonus of 20%.