Senior Specialist, Project Engagement (Hybrid)

This is a hybrid role with the first three months in the office.

Eversource is looking for a Senior Specialist, Project Engagement for Transmission in Westwood, MA. As part of a project-based matrixed organization and working with Project Team members, subject matter experts (SMEs), other Eversource departments and external stakeholders, develop and manage stakeholder outreach strategies and tactics in support of Transmission and other right of way (ROW) work (“projects” or “project”). Responsible for developing and managing the coordination, timing and execution of specialized stakeholder outreach plans and managing a team of field outreach representatives that are the designated liaisons between targeted stakeholders and Project Teams/SMEs for a portfolio of projects. Lead the internal coordination of all construction, maintenance, and other activities within the Company’s ROWs to ensure that messages conveyed to property owners, municipal officials and other key stakeholders are clear, consistent and aligned.  Responsible for managing and mitigating risk to the projects’ scope, schedule and cost due to stakeholder intervention. 

Essential Functions:

• For multiple Transmission and/or Distribution projects and other work activities in the Eversource rights of way, create and manage the implementation of specific outreach strategies and tactics applicable to all stakeholders, including property owners, municipal officials, regulators, legislators, and/or advocacy groups, collaborating with respective SMEs, e.g., Community Relations, Corp Communications, Media Relations, Gov’t Affairs, Regulatory, Environmental, Real Estate, etc., as needed.

• Responsible for day-to-day oversight of multiple field outreach representatives (contractor), including oversight of their contracts and review/approval of monthly invoices.  Work with field outreach representatives on development and execution of outreach strategies and tactics for planned right of way and/or station project activities.  Provide guidance on response to escalated stakeholder issues and manage these issues to resolution, updating upper management and other interested and affected stakeholders, as appropriate, to minimize risk to the project and potential for further escalation.

• Participate in field constructability reviews/site walkdowns to assess project risk and property/community impacts, and aide in the development of impact mitigation plans, outreach strategy and associated tactics; assess required level of outreach support; and assign resources.

• Coordinate Project Impact Mitigation and ROW Coordination processes with Project Leads and others, as needed, to ensure consistency of messaging for all stakeholders – e.g., municipal, NGOs, property owners, etc.  Lead ROW Work Coordination meetings on behalf of the Transmission and Distribution organization, bringing together representatives from applicable disciplines across the Company to discuss and coordinate upcoming ROW activities.

• Manage Project-related interactions with local elected and other officials, i.e., municipal CEO and staff, working with Community Relations and others as needed; and maintain communications with municipal leaders in order to identify opportunities/means to address municipal project-related concerns. 

• Develop project-specific, nuanced messaging and related materials for affected property owners, municipal leaders, and other stakeholders, ensuring alignment with Corporate messaging.  Develop and manage timing of release of all project-based collateral materials, Project web pages (as needed), and correspondence to affected stakeholders. 

• Ensure compliance with non-regulatory commitments and agreements made with affected stakeholders, e.g., property or business owner, municipality, etc., pursuant to project work activities, including but not limited to:

  • Abutting property owner issue management

  • Negotiated ROW access

  • Work hours

  • Restoration of impacted properties

  • Potential business interruption

  • Property damage

• Work with Company subject matter experts, e.g., Project Management, Siting, Environmental, Real Estate, Construction, Community Relations and others as needed, to develop necessary presentations and project materials to support liaison responsibilities.

• Manage notification of municipal and safety officials, local residents and media (as warranted and through Media Relations) regarding impacts of high-profile events (e.g. splice implosions, auto-transformer deliveries, helicopter wire stringing, blasting, etc.).

• Manage development of “focus area” lists to anticipate and accommodate property and community impacts, issues, concerns, inquiries, and complaints,