Senior Manager, Strategic Growth and Community Affairs

Xcel Energy; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Annual Incentive Program

401(k) plan

Job summary

Xcel Energy in Colorado is seeking a senior leader to drive state and local government energy policy strategy for large load customers and infrastructure siting. You will align policy, community relations, regulatory strategy, and engagement to support data centers and other major customers.

The role requires navigating political dynamics, partnering with central teams, and maintaining a proactive statewide advocacy approach.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in political science, public affairs, communications, business or related field.
• 8 years of demonstrated experience in state or local government affairs, community relations, external relations, public policy, communications, or advocacy.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to navigate complex political and community issues.
• Willingness to work non-traditional hours to attend meetings.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of a Colorado narrative and stakeholder strategy.
• Provide leadership in executing state and local government energy policy priorities for large load customers.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to deliver statewide outcomes.
• Develop an advocacy playbook and engage legislators, officials, and stakeholders.
• Identify risks and manage reputational considerations for growth and infrastructure projects.

Skills

Strategic communication

Stakeholder engagement

Policy advocacy

Public affairs

Education

Bachelor's degree in political science/public affairs/communications/business

Master's degree preferred

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 SummaryServes as the senior leader in PSCo driving Colorado state and local government energy policy strategy execution on behalf of large load customers and infrastructure siting and construction, setting the direction that connects state and local policy, community engagement, regulatory strategy, and large load execution for PSCo. Leads the development and execution of a proactive narrative strategy that protects Xcel Energy's brand while positioning Colorado to competitively serve data centers and other large load customers. Builds and maintains a statewide advocacy playbook, adaptable to the priorities and dynamics of individual local jurisdictions, that equips teams to engage municipalities, legislators, and communities with a consistent, coordinated message. Cultivates strategic partnerships with economic development organizations, community activists, and local stakeholders to build durable support for growth initiatives and to identify political, municipal, community, and reputational risks early. Works across multiple Xcel departments—including legislative and local government affairs, community relations, corporate communications, regulatory strategy, and economic development—to align internal execution and enable the company's ability to serve data center and large load customers throughout Colorado. Partners with the central communications team to ensure enterprise brand and messaging are implemented locally, while retaining ownership of Colorado-specific relationships.Essential ResponsibilitiesNarrative and stakeholder strategy: Lead development and execution of a proactive Colorado narrative and stakeholder strategy that protects and strengthens Xcel Energy’s brand while positioning Colorado to competitively serve data centers and other large load customers. Partner with the corporate communications team to implement enterprise brand standards and messaging locally, while retaining leadership and ownership of Colorado-specific relationships, narratives, engagement, and strategic response.Statewide policy and execution leadership: Provide leadership in executing PSCo’s Colorado state and local government energy policy priorities supporting large load customers and infrastructure siting and construction. Drive coordinated execution across state policy, local government affairs, community relations, regulatory strategy, siting and land rights, and large load initiatives; translate strategic priorities into actionable plans, clarify roles and accountability, and lead cross-functional teams to deliver aligned outcomes statewide.Growth strategy and execution alignment: Translate growth priorities into a proactive Colorado strategy that aligns state legislation, local government rules and regulations, franchise, public affairs, regulatory, economic development, and community engagement activities before major customer or infrastructure decisions move forward. Establish shared objectives, roles, decision points, and execution plans so internal teams act with consistency, speed, and accountability.Risk management and local intelligence: Lead the early identification and assessment of political, state, municipal, community, regulatory, and reputational risks affecting large load growth or infrastructure siting and construction. Direct a disciplined statewide process for gathering and interpreting community-specific data, stakeholder sentiment, and emerging issues; translate local intelligence into recommendations for leadership; assign ownership; escalate material issues; and drive timely mitigation and coordinated response.Advocacy and relationship leadership: Build, maintain, and lead implementation of a statewide advocacy and ground-game playbook for large load customers and infrastructure projects. Adapt enterprise frameworks to the political dynamics and community expectations of individual Colorado jurisdictions; direct cross-functional execution of communications and engagement plans; cultivate strategic relationships with legislators, local officials, economic development organizations, community activists, and other stakeholders; and adjust tactics as conditions evolve.Executive situational awareness and special assignments: Provide PSCo and enterprise leadership with timely context and situational awareness on Colorado political, municipal, community, regulatory, and reputational matters affecting growth and infrastructure development. Respond to leadership questions by gathering and synthesizing relevant information, identifying key considerations and emerging issues, and connecting leaders with appropriate subject matter expertise. Lead special projects requiring cross-functional coordination, analysis, and issue resolution to advance PSCo priorities.Minimum RequirementsBachelor’s degree in political science, public affairs, communications, business or related field, or equivalent experienceMasters preferred but not required8 years of demonstrated experience in state or local government affairs, community relations, external relations, public policy, communications, or advocacy ideally in an energy, infrastructure, or large-scale development contextVery strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to navigate complex political and community issuesAbility to work independently and be a self-starterMust be willing to work non-traditional hours to attend community, state and local government meetingsPreferred RequirementsExperience integrating policy and community relations functions within a single strategic roleFamiliarity with Colorado's legislative, community, and regulatory environmentExperience partnering with central/enterprise teams to align local execution with broader brand and messaging strategyOur 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: $130,000.00 to $165,000.00 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: 10/28/26EEO 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.