Senior Community Relations Specialist

Eversource will not offer immigration-related sponsorship for this position (e.g., H-1B, O-1, J-1, TN, E-3, etc.).  Applicants requiring visa sponsorship to start employment with Eversource will not be considered.

Role and Scope of Position:
Under minimal supervision, manage and strengthen favorable relationships with the surrounding community. Participate in the organization's charitable giving programs as they affect community initiatives. Represent Eversource at community gatherings or forums. Support ES initiatives, priorities and responses by serving as a single point of contact for various government officials, economic development agencies, business leaders and non-profit and community organizations. Educate the company on community viewpoints to accomplish business objectives, and ensure the company is best positioned to receive favorable support from our municipalities and communities. Strengthen the economic growth of the communities and customers we serve through economic development initiatives engineered at the regional, state and local levels, regular and active engagement with the business community and by establishing public and private partnerships.

Eversource will not offer immigration-related sponsorship for this position (e.g., H-1B, O-1, J-1, TN, E-3, etc.).  Applicants requiring visa sponsorship to start employment with Eversource will not be considered.

HYBRID WORK POLICY

Eversource supports work-life balance by offering hybrid schedules for certain roles. Eligibility is based on job responsibilities, operational needs, nature of work and team dynamics. Current guidelines require employees to work at least three days in the office, including Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with the third day set by the employee and supervisor based on department needs. These guidelines apply to roles approved for remote work and are subject to change, based on managerial discretion and work performance. All applicants must be able to work up to five days in the office if needed (for example: emergencies, training, or other business needs) or should the policy change.

Essential Functions: 

• In collaboration with the Community Relations Team, provides input into the development of Community Relations strategies and implements strategies for community and municipal outreach and relationship development; emergency preparedness and response; local and regional economic development; strategic corporate giving; and employee engagement, volunteerism, and business membership activities.
• Represents our company to all constituents, leaders and communities by identifying and supporting initiatives, proposals, concerns or issues related to the company’s reputation. This responsibility includes working with our communities on project timing and coordination as well as partnering with municipalities to promote state and local economic development initiatives.
• Serves as liaison with various internal partners and shares value-added municipal and community knowledge to move projects towards successful outcomes while balancing company and community needs during medium and small-scale project meetings, municipal project briefings, and town/city council, board, commission, committee and other municipal organization meetings.  
• Supports the strategic goals of the company by participating in influential community, business, and civic organizations that will build positive relationships and partnerships.
• Establishes corporate giving opportunities within assigned territory and at regional and statewide levels. Solicits, screens, and makes recommendations for grant awards to build strong, sustainable communities, increase local visibility and support company priorities. Coordinates with Media Relations on promotion of contributions in the community.
• Responds to both routine and unique community and customer questions, issues and concerns.
• Ensures timely and effective communications with municipal leaders on siting, permitting, construction and maintenance activities involving transmission, distribution, vegetation and reliability projects.   
• Monitors and analyzes local government policy changes, elections, city and town ordinances, board, and council activities and serves as liaison with Eversource colleagues to ensure timely awareness and participation.
• Advises internal business partners on local political activities, sensitivities and emergent issues that may impact state and federal government relations.
• Develops and strengthens relationships with essential community, private and non-profit agencies and organizations.

Technical Knowledge/Skill/Education/Licenses/Certifications:

Technical Knowledge/Skill: 

• Understanding of municipal, state and regional government as well as the regulatory process. 
• Knowledge of utility business, regulatory, and energy supply issues. 
• Experience in crisis communication and media relations.
• Ability to use PC desktop applications (e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, company outage management systems, virtual meeting software).  Ability to use social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) to support and promote company initiatives.
• Ability to produce and deliver in-depth reports and presentations to executives, and internal and external partners.
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills and the ability to work with confidential information with integrity. 
• Ability to work independently in a high-profile role and to take initiative to build relationships that will support company strategies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to present and share information with internal and external audiences. 
• Excellent collaborative skills and the ability to work effectively in sensitive, political environments.
• Strategic, critical, and analytical thinking with a strong understanding of short-and long-term consequences of decisions and the ability to use sound judgment.
• Excellent organizational skills to analyze, coordinate, and implement strategic initiatives.   
• Diplomacy and the ability to get along well with all levels of management and government officials. 
• Project management skills and the ability to lead cross-functional teams.
• Experience and knowledge to know when to recommend, develop and execute strategic outreach to achieve company objectives.
• Acts as a resource for colleagues with less experience; may lead small projects with manageable risks and resource requirements.
• Functions independently; impacts a range of customer, operational, project or service activities within own team and other related teams; prepared to act on behalf of the manager in key situations.

Education:     

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Public/Government Administration or related discipline or equivalent experience.  Advanced degree strongly preferred – Law, Public Affairs, Business Administration, Communications

Experience:

• Five (5) or more years of experience in community/customer care or government relations– eight or more years preferred.  Requires significant experience preparing and delivering presentations involving complex issues and in handling difficult and controversial situations in public forums. Previous project management or cross-functional teams experience preferred.  Relies on experience and judgement to plan and accomplish goals.

Licenses & Certifications:  

• Valid motor vehicle license is required.

Working Conditions:

• Must be available to work emergency storm assignment as required.
• Must be available to travel between MA/CT/NH as necessary.
• Extended work hours during emergency preparedness and significant events.
• Emergency response responsibilities require night and weekend availability.
• Evening work is expected to attend public hearings, town and city council meetings, business association meetings and company sponsored events.
• Employee safety is paramount at Eversource.  All Associates are provided with company-issued personal protective safety gear.
• Expected to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Must be comfortable leveraging mobile and virtual technologies to work remotely as needed.

Mental Aspects:

• Communicates governmental, regulatory and technical issues with public officials in public and political forums to effectively address emergent issues, public concerns and resolve customer problems.  
• General understanding of utility operations, electric distribution and transmission systems, customer care, emergency preparedness, energy efficiency, energy markets, rates and regulations. and company policies and procedures.
• Collaboration with all corporate organizations, including senior leadership, Corporate Communications, Governmental Affairs, Media Relations, Electric and Gas Operation and Transmission and Regulatory Affairs. 

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Competencies:

Build trusting relationships

Manage and develop people

Foster teamwork and cross-functional collaboration

Lead change

Communicate strategic vision

Create an engaged workforce

Focus on the customer

Take ownership & accountability

Compensation and Benefits:

Eversource offers a competitive total rewards program. Check out our careers site for an overview of our benefits programs. Salary is commensurate with your experience. This position is eligible for a potential incentive. The annual salary range for this position is:

$116,160.00-$129,070.00

Worker Type:

Regular

Number of Openings:

1

Emergency Response:

Responding to emergency situations to meet customers’ needs is part of every employee’s role. If employed, you will be given an Emergency Restoration assignment.  This means you may be called to assist during an emergency outside of your normal responsibilities, work hours and location. 

EEO Statement:

Eversource Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability status, or protected veteran status.

VEVRRA Federal Contractor