Sr. Director, Stakeholder Engagement

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

Functional area: Regulation / Risk Management
Remuneration: Exempt

The Senior Director, Stakeholder Engagement leads the creation of RWE’s Stakeholder Engagement strategy and execution and manages a team of stakeholder & community engagement professionals to identify and mitigate social risk,  result in a social license to operate for RWE’s 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 projects. In 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 RWE’s US portfolio
• Proactively identify issues and potential resolution options and build integrated support from state and local stakeholders for RWE projects. Work 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 Company’s 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 project’s 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:

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, political science or other relevant areas
• Master’s 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 Americas is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time.