Job Details

LRE (Leeward Renewable Energy) is a high-growth renewable energy company forging a sustainable future through integrity, innovation, and positive impact. We own and operate 30 large wind, solar, and energy storage projects across the United States, totaling over 3 gigawatts (GW) of generating capacity.

LRE has an ambitious goal of 10GW of operating assets by 2028 and are developing and contracting an increasing pipeline of new projects every year. We take a full-lifecycle approach to our projects, built on a long-term ownership model and a company culture dedicated to our community partners and protecting the environment.

The Public Affairs Regional Manager will oversee community engagement strategies for LRE's West region projects to minimize risks, build support, and enhance project value. The Public Affairs Manager will oversee community engagement strategies for LRE's West region projects in development to minimize risks, build support, and enhance project value. This role includes managing public affairs activities in collaboration with a variety of cross functional teams, as well as coordinating public hearings, community meetings, and media relations. The candidate must understand utility-scale renewable energy development, permitting processes, and have experience in stakeholder engagement and community advocacy. This role requires travel 25-50% of the time depending on business needs.

Essential Functions:

• Develop and implement consistent and effective public affairs/community engagement processes, strategies, and tactics across LRE's West region projects in development.

• Manage and support public hearings and community meetings, key stakeholder relationships, government and elected official meetings, influencer meetings, crisis communications, community giving and political contributions, and project events.

• Manage and support advocacy on local government policies, regulations, and fees that may impact or relate to projects (in coordination with Legal, Development, and Government Affairs).

• Develop communications materials including presentations, talking points, messaging, local project press releases, project datasheets, project websites and events, in coordination with internal and external resources.

• Build trusted professional relationships with the key local business, government, NGO and tribal stakeholders.

• Manage local public affairs and public relations agencies to support successful implementation of stakeholder engagement strategies and goals.

• Manage and coordinate community giving and political contributions in compliance with company approval and regulatory guidelines.

• Attend project team meetings, and stay current on all project issues, especially key project development and permitting processes and milestones.

• As appropriate, represent Leeward Renewable Energy in Industry Organizations

• Visit key local project locations with project teams as needed to understand critical issues, establish relationships, and conduct outreach.

• Coordinate local project level public relations with support of Corporate Communications and local PR firm.

Qualifications:

• Graduate and/or Bachelors Degree in Public Affairs, Political Science, Communications or related field.

• 5-7 years' experience in Public Affairs, Communications, Community/Stakeholder Engagement, or Renewable Energy.

• Political campaign and advocacy experience a plus.

• Experience managing and resolving complex utility-scale renewable energy public affairs issues

• Proven track record successfully building relationships with community, local, state and federal government officials, NGOs, tribes, and other stakeholders to gain project support, minimize or eliminate opposition, and build trust

• Experience and familiarity navigating the complex permitting processes for projects sited on federal lands

• Experience managing and directing communications and public affairs agencies

• Demonstrated passion for renewable energy

• Evidence of strong strategic thinking, communication, planning, organization and execution

• Experience presenting in public meetings

• Results oriented and strong project management skills

• Self-motivated, able to work independently in a rapidly evolving business environment

• Successful track record as a team player, ability to work and influence cross-functionally

• Proactive approach, able to anticipate issues and recommend solutions

• Demonstrated ability to manage projects, coordinate teams, and facilitate effective meetings

• Take direction and apply constructive feedback to improve work product

Requirements:

• Position will require sitting for long periods of time as well as occasionally lifting up to twenty-pound boxes

• This role requires travel 25-50% of the time

• Must possess a valid driver's license and the ability to drive a vehicle

• Must be able to pass a background check and drug screening

Leeward Management Services, LLC is committed to employing a diverse workforce and provides equal employment opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Notice to Recruiters and Staffing Agencies: Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE) does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiting vendors or employment agencies. Only recruiting vendors with a current, signed agreement in place with LRE are authorized to submit resumes for specific, requested positions. All unsolicited resumes and candidate profiles submitted to LRE, or any LRE employee, without an active agreement or written request from LRE's HR Department, will be considered property of LRE. LRE will not be responsible for any fees or expenses associated with unsolicited resumes or candidates submitted in this manner.