Manager, Governmental Affairs

The purpose of this position is to leverage relationships with local government officials and community leaders to ensure a positive operating environment and reputation for Atlanta Gas Light. As a seasoned company liaison, you will work within a defined territory to build and maintain effective relationships with municipal, business, and community leaders. Your responsibilities will include researching plans for significant capital/infrastructure projects and developing and executing plans for communicating project details with key stakeholders. You will also advise communities on needs to build or increase investment in utility infrastructure to foster economic growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leverage relationships with local government officials and community leaders to ensure a positive operating environment and reputation for Atlanta Gas Light
• Research plans for significant capital/infrastructure projects and develop and execute plans for communicating project details with key stakeholders
• Advise communities on needs to build or increase investment in utility infrastructure to foster economic growth
• Provide leadership and expertise on complex commercial and industrial expansions and relocations
• Support public presence/community involvement initiatives

Business Acumen:

• Manage involvement with local associations and organizations (chambers, development authorities, economic development, and other business interests)
• Seek opportunities to speak about company programs and initiatives at membership organizations or other key venues
• Develop plans to strategically manage the territory considering key constituents, significant capital/infrastructure work scheduled, past (or potential) issues
• Assist operating departments with issues inhibiting work progress (run interference between the company and municipal officials to help ensure that scheduled work is completed on time and on budget)
• Assist in obtaining municipal planning maps/long-term growth plans for use in gas system planning
• Support energy efficiency and energy assistance initiatives

Engagement:

• Provide ongoing communications (face-to-face and written) with Chamber of Commerce and local government officials, economic development officials, and other constituent groups
• Provide timely responses to inquiries from economic development organizations and new business prospects
• Assess impact of business development opportunities and proactively pursue and participate on project teams that encourage economic growth
• Coordinate the management of escalated complaints with the Customer Relations/Customer Experience Department
• Participate regularly at Chamber of Commerce and economic development organizations
• Lead groups or project teams as needed to facilitate company initiatives such as energy fairs, United Way campaigns, and volunteer initiatives

Driving Results:

• Create and maintain a directory of key territory contacts and track important interactions with constituents and other job tasks using a relationship management database
• Manage a territory budget

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Public Administration, Political Science, Engineering, or related field
• Experience in interaction with internal and external stakeholders, including municipal, business, and community leaders
• Experience and thorough knowledge of natural gas distribution systems
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective interpersonal relationships
• Exemplify a high level of diplomacy and decorum
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Experience in negotiating and conflict resolution
• Public speaking/presentation skills
• Familiarity with local government structure, processes, and decision-makers
• Customer service-oriented

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

• Must always be ready to respond to field emergencies
• If away from territory, backup arrangements must be made and communicated internally as necessary
• Some evening and weekend requirements
• Must have a valid driver's license and access to transportation to attend meetings/events in territory