VP, Legislative Relations & Stakeholder Alliances

Summary

Directly manage state legislative relations issues across all Authority Business Units, working closely with Executive Management, Legal, Regulatory/Policy, Community & Government Relations, Environmental Justice, Communications/Marketing, Innovation, Finance, Business Development & Operations, and other relevant departments. Keep senior management including the President and CEO abreast of state and local legislative issues that may impact and/or require action by the Authority. Develop and implement strategies to maintain positive working relationships with state legislators, government officials, and stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of Authority strategies and programs. Provide guidance to and receive input from the SVP of Communications & External Affairs. #LI-CJ1

Responsibilities

• Closely follow relevant proceedings of the New York State Legislature  
• Provide summary reports and make recommendations about legislative strategy to NYPA senior executives, including the CEO and Executive Management Committee, in relation to on-going proceedings to ensure Authority interests are protected
• Keep appraised of key policy issues including financial, public perception, political, environmental, operational, and others that impact the Authority. Recommend, obtain internal/external buy-in and approval, and implement actions necessary to ensure NYPA’s interests are served in state and local policy making. Provide policy briefings, presentations, and research memos, as needed.
• Cultivate productive relationships with and lead the development materials and the delivery of educational briefings for legislators, policy makers, agency staff and other associated stakeholders on NYPA’s organizational structure, operating parameters and strategic priorities
• Coordinate closely with the Federal Affairs team to ensure alignment and consistent reporting on state and federal legislative goals and objectives
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with energy industry groups, trade associations, chambers of commerce, academia, other public, local and State entities, and support the development of strategic partnerships to facilitate and support projects aligned with NYPA legislative priorities. Attend various legislative hearings, events and caucuses as deemed necessary by NYPA leadership.
• Lead CEO preparation for state legislative hearings
• Serve as lead NYPA point of contact the Governor’s legislative affairs office
• Work with Legal and other business units to provide technical assistance on legislative language, develop engagement strategies, and evaluate legislative issues and recommend actions for NYPA

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Independent thinking, creative, proactive, and self-motivated with a positive, confident attitude
• Ability to proactively address concerns or issues
• Strategic thinker with experience developing a long-term plan and ensuring its execution
• Excellent judgement and discretion, ability to make decisions quickly and efficiently
• Ability to work well under tight deadlines and respond to rapidly changing demands and fulfill efficient follow-up
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills with ability to interact with diverse internal and external constituents
• Strong negotiation/persuasion skills to generate internal and external support
• Extensive knowledge of the issues facing the electric utility industry and the ability to express complex technical and legal concepts in layman’s terms
• Strong team management and coaching skills
• Understanding of policies and procedures, and experience evaluating management processes and implementing improvements preferred
• Ability to support strategic change to meet organizational goals in a continuously changing environment
• Extensive knowledge of NYS Legislative process with ability to review, analyze and summarize prospective and enacted legislation
• Strong leadership skills with proven ability to lead and execute business initiatives and provide tactical planning
• Excellent presentation, verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to maintain a trusted and collaborative relationship with senior executives across all business units

Education, Experience and Certifications

• Bachelor's degree required
• Graduate degree (J.D. or MPA) preferred
• Minimum of 8 years working with policy required, preferably with energy policy and/or public sector. Project management experience required, and energy experience preferred.
• Political campaign experience preferred
• Minimum 3 years supervising/managing a team
• Utility or energy experience preferred

Physical Requirem