Sr. Director, Stakeholder Engagement

RWE Americas LLC
To start as soon as possible full time permanent

Functional area: Regulation / Risk Management
Remuneration: Exempt

TheSeniorDirector Stakeholder Engagementleads the creation of RWEs Stakeholder Engagement strategy and execution and managesa team of stakeholder & community engagement professionals to identify and mitigate social risk result in a social license to operate for RWEs energy generation projects across the United States. Manage a nationwide team as part of a regionally-matrixed Corporate Affairs team ensuring close collaboration with and support of relevant personnel from Development Operations Project Execution and other relevant departments leading to successful project permitting favorable local sentiment and positive long-term relationships with local communities which host our addition the role will have a portfolio overseeing stakeholder and social risk management for the West Region (CAISO/WECC). In these capacities the Sr. Director will partner closely with the leadership of the Development Project Execution and Operations teams to ensure stakeholder engagement and risk mitigation strategies are executed to support business priorities and protect and grow the social license to operate.

Role Responsibilities:

• Manage a nationwide Stakeholder Engagement team as part of a regionally-matrixed Corporate Affairs team ensuring standardized processes and consistent risk analysis planning and mitigation efforts are executed to proactively mitigate social risk to energy development projects and secure social license to operate. This will include managing the core disciplines of stakeholder engagement social risk and impact assessment stakeholder matricies and mapping and community investment and relationship management
• In addition to leading the Stakeholder Engagement department this position will be responsible for the Stakeholder Engagement activities in the West Region (CAISO WECC 25-30% of expected time) managing the Stakeholder Engagement Sr. Manager West Region in executing stakeholder engagement and social risk mitigation strategies in support of business priorities
• Oversee the design and execution of stakeholder management social risk mitigation and community investment strategies to protect the value of priority projects and operational assets across RWEs US portfolio
• Proactively identify issues and potential resolution options and build integrated support from state and local stakeholders for RWE with organizational leadership and project teams to ensure necessary budgets and capacity are secured to mitigate opposition risk to energy development projects
• Create strategic frameworks to guide the team in identifying evaluating and directing external consultants in promoting the Companys projects negotiate contracts and ensure compliance with all RWE policies and performance standards
• Interact with local governmental officials community stakeholders and RWE teams to manage social acceptance risk for wind solar energy storage and flex-gen technologies in local areas with a focus on the West Region
• Coordinate coalition building and strengthen relationships with strategic non-profit organizations associations and other national or regional partners who support energy project siting and deployment
• Oversee and execute Salesforce CRM strategic campaigns for use by Community Engagement Development Project Execution Operations Communications Government Relations and other departments to effectively communicate and build long-term relationships with local stakeholders identify energy project supporters and ensure relationship continuity across all phases of a projects lifecycle
• Ensure consistent internal communication on community engagement activities and risks or issues impacting the Company and projects
• Manage the implementation of community benefit initiatives throughout the lifecycle of a project from small donations sponsorships and memberships during early-stage development and operations to long-term Community Benefit Agreements and strategic life-cycle oriented relationships
• Develop the talent of the Stakeholder Engagement team members to ensure continuous growth in their skills as practitioners and leaders in the field
• Provide strategic counsel and recommendations on Stakeholder Engagement social risk management and community engagement best practices to VP State Government Affairs & Stakeholder Engagement and others in the organization.

Job Requirements and Experience:

• Bachelors degree in marketing communications political science or other relevant areas
• Masters degree in relevant fields preferred
• Minimum 10 years of stakeholder engagement or social performance management experience; campaign community organizing or advocacy experience for energy development projects focus on renewable energy projects preferred
• Previous management of large organizations experience working in complex environments and collaboration with multiple external and internal stakeholders at all levels of an organization
• Experience working in renewable energy or natural gas generation development rural communities community development environmental management or local government
• Significant experience developing multi-stakeholder engagement plans and tracking outcomes using a CRM tool (e.g. Salesforce)
• Knowledge of the structure and function of US state regional and local government including experience with energy permitting and regulatory issues is preferred
• Demonstrated supervisory experience managing teams in multiple locations with a track record of strong leadership and collaborative partnership to drive business outcomes
• Proven demonstration of ability to influence communicate and partner with leaders at all levels including executive leadership
• Strong leadership and communication skills and ability to meet deadlines
• Strong organization skills and ability to coordinate multiple tasks and deliverables across a nationwide team
• Ability to multi-task while working independently and as part of a team
• Motivated self-starter goal-oriented and strong problem-solving abilities
• Proven ability to empathize build relationships and effectively communicate with people from a diverse set of backgrounds
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations across multiple jurisdictions
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to manage customer relationships
• Excellent proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel Word PowerPoint Outlook) and Teams
• Proficiency in Salesforce or comparable CRM
• Responds well to direction is easy to challenge and develop and is coachable
• Is detail-oriented has strong business acumen and a sound understanding of business concepts
• This position is an office-based role in Oakland CA with some travel (up to 40% expected) and visits to other RWE Americas offices and field locations
• Must be comfortable with overnight stays in largely rural areas
• Must be able to sit walk or stand for long durations of time

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. RWE Americasis unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time.