Lead Program Manager of External Affairs

About us

At National Grid, we light up the world by harnessing the unique strengths of our people. Join us as a Lead Program Manager and be part of a team that's driving forward the energy transition, creating a brighter, more sustainable future for all.  

Unleash your superpower and bring energy to life.

National Grid is hiring a Lead Regional Manager of External Affairs covering Schenectady, Fulton and Montgomery counties in NY. This position will sit in Schenectady, Albany or Gloversville.

Job Purpose

The Corporate Affairs function champions our company's interests and defends and lifts the National Grid brand and reputation by embracing and simplifying complex messages and environments, cultivating strong relationships with stakeholders, and proactively managing governmental, stakeholder and regulatory environments and community interactions.
 

The purpose of Corporate Affairs is to protect, promote and enhance the company’s reputation in the UK and our US territories. It is to build, and help others build, the reputation that National Grid needs to succeed in the short and long term.   We are resilient, strategic, collaborative, creative, connected, global and visionary. We are committed to positively contributing to our communities and advocating for policies and outcomes that support National Grid, our customers, our employees and our partners.
 

This role is seen as a critical strategically important role within National Grid. The individual will be the primary external face of the company within their respective region, while supporting community engagement, local government/municipal relations, local community investment, and mitigating reputational risk among the most senior elected officials. This individual will also be responsible for supporting the advancement of the Company’s Communications Strategy in collaboration with the Communications team, collaborating with the Economic Development group to advise on decisions related to the Company’s Economic Development programming, and helping to drive National Grid’s future operation and policy priorities by influencing decision makers at a state and regional level.
 

Responsibilities include leading the accountability for the two-way relationship between National Grid and the communities we serve in the greater Capital region. Overseeing and strategically driving community relations activities in support of business goals established by the company and acting as the advocate of the needs and interests of communities we serve to internal National Grid departments and leadership. Also, efficient deployment of Company resources to achieve strategic goals, collaborating with other groups internally on key accountabilities to deliver first class customer service and representing National Grid on organizational boards that strategically enhance relationships, advance regional economic development initiatives and/or are positioned to advocate in partnership with National Grid on key issues tied to energy delivery (chambers of commerce, business organizations, etc.), and inform the company’s local community investment plans.

Key Accountabilities

���    Support the development and implementation of proactive strategies to ensure strong key stakeholder relationships are established and maintained, including with local government officials, civic organizations, not for profit organizations and community members.
•    Support implementation of strategies to build, maintain, protect and ensure a solid reputation for National Grid’s reputation as an industry leader in energy and the environment by managing the interests of industry and business associations, environmental groups, and other stakeholders.
•    Develop and communicate key campaign strategies, policies, and community initiatives externally to promote, advance and protect National Grid interests in New York State.
•    Manage relationships with local government officials and lobbying activity for certain Counties within and around the region to create the environment to advance policy and other priorities at the local and state levels.  Collaborate with the State and Federal Government Relations team on legislative and policy priorities.
•    Coordinate with the Communications team on media and public relations matters and opportunities.  Plan and execute communications and engagement programs to advance the mission and enhance market visibility and messaging, and to promote the Company’s community investments.
•    Support local community investments.  Provide input on strategy, plan and execution of local community giving programs that align to the Company’s priorities in an efficient manner.  Support implementation of key corporate initiatives such as Project C [Grid for Good], clean energy transition and various project ini