Title: External Affairs Manager    
Company: Peoples Gas System
State and City: Florida   -  Jacksonville
Shift: 8 Hr. X 5 Days

WHAT YOU’LL DO

The External Affairs Manager is responsible for developing, cultivating, and managing strategic relationships with elected officials, governmental staff, business and community leaders, economic development organizations and customers for portions of Peoples Gas service areas.

This position promotes corporate earnings growth and goals through strategic government, economic and stakeholder engagement initiatives.  This position supports operations including permits, franchise agreements, outreach on infrastructure projects, assistance with customer matters and emergency response functions.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities:

• Strategically, proactively and effectively manage key governmental, political and industry relationships in the assigned areas; achieved through identifying the risks and opportunities to our business, effectively shaping positive outcomes related to these areas and establishing open communication channels with key stakeholders.
• Identify and represent corporate interests on key economic development organizations (EDOs) to promote corporate earnings and community growth; create strategies to support EDOs in negotiating business development and retention activities.
• Provide strategic guidance on the development of company’s community and corporate citizenship contribution, participation, and communication strategy; provide guidance on the company’s board involvement in key organizations in support of interests and business needs in assigned area.
• Develops and implements strategies to advise the company on regional candidates for elected office and participates actively in the political process in the assigned area; advises the team by identifying, anticipating, and managing political and reputational concerns that arise before assigned political bodies affecting corporate or partner interests and effectively shapes positive outcomes.
• Gather and communicate relevant political, community and business intelligence supporting growth opportunities for Peoples Gas; coordinate with other departments to influence customer decisions related to relocation and/or expansion.
• Provides tactical support to operations/business units on elevated issues related to local municipal governments including rights-of-way access, permitting, franchise agreements, relocation of facilities, emergencies, customer matters and any local government policy, ordinance or rule that affects providing reliable, cost-effective service.
• Proactive public affairs review of strategic initiatives and projects and other issues in the various business units to identify potential stakeholder/community concerns; provide guidance and leadership on stakeholder engagement/community outreach in assigned area.
• Consult with business units on upcoming infrastructure projects, proactively reviewing plans to identify potential community concerns, provide community outreach recommendations and leadership in carrying out related tasks.

What We’re Looking For

Must Haves:  

• Associate's Degree and a minimum of eight years of related experience related to a portion of the Duties & Responsibilities of this position.
• Reside in the region of coverage for North Florida and surrounding areas. 
• Knowledge in one or more key areas related to the position, of governmental processes at local, state or federal level.
• Ability to understand complex regulatory and legislative issues; knowledge of the utility sector.  
• Frequent travel required and flexibility to work outside normal business hours.
• Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills also required.      

Nice-to-Haves:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college in Political Science, Business or any other related field of study and a minimum of six years of related experience related to a portion of the Duties & Responsibilities of this position.  
• Experience working in electric and gas utility industry as in a capacity that deals with local governments and regulatory agencies, community and special interests groups, public policy and/or experience working for a local or state elected official, municipality or agency as a political consultant or in similar work for a business or association or other experience related to the position is an advantage.
• Knowledge of the utility sector. 

Competencies:

Takes Ownership and Acts with Integrity

Drives Operational Excellence for Customers

Builds Strong, Collaborative Relationships

Cultivates Innovation and Embraces Change

Thinks Strategically and Exercises Sound Judgement

Speaks up on Safety, Health, and the Environment

Develops People and Teams

Working Conditions  

Frequent travel required and flexibility to work outside normal business hours. 

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STORM DUTY REQUIREMENTS....Please make sure to read below!!!  Responding to storms will be considered a condition of employment.

TECO Energy and its companies serve a role in providing critical services to our community during an emergency. Team members are required to participate in the response/recovery activities related to emergencies/disasters to maintain service to our TECO Energy customers. Team members are required to work in their normal job duties or other assigned activities. Proper compensation will be made in accordance with the company's rules and procedures.

Pre-employment physical exams may be required for positions with bona fide job-related physical requirements regardless of disability.