Manager, Governmental Affairs

The purpose of this position is to leverage relationships with local government officials and community leaders to ensure a positive operating environment and reputation for Atlanta Gas Light (AGLC). Within a defined territory, the Manager is an experienced company liaison with municipal, business and community leaders. The Manager also coordinates communication of capital/infrastructure projects with key stakeholders. 

 

Functional Expertise: 

• Responsible for leveraging relationships built with local government, business and community leaders to ensure a positive operating environment and reputation for AGLC.
• Responsible for researching plans for significant AGLC capital/infrastructure projects and developing and executing plans for communicating project details with key stakeholders. 
• Responsible for advising communities on needs to build or increase investment in utility infrastructure in order to foster economic growth. Advocate on behalf of communities to AGL for capital improvement. 
• Responsible for providing leadership and expertise on complex commercial and industrial expansions and relocations and other volunteer activities. 
• Responsible for supporting public presence/community involvement initiatives. 

Business Acumen: 

• Manages involvement with local associations and organizations (chambers, development authority’s, economic development and other business interests). 
• Seeks opportunities to speak about company programs and initiatives at membership organizations or other key venues. 
• Develops plans to strategically manage the territory considering, for example, key constituents, significant capital/infrastructure work scheduled, past (or potential) issues. 
• Assists operating departments with issues inhibiting work progress (runs interference between the company and municipal officials to help ensure that scheduled work is completed on time and on budget). 
• Assists in obtaining municipal planning maps/long-term growth plans for use in gas system planning. - Supports energy efficiency and energy assistance initiatives 

Engagement:

• Provides ongoing communications (face-to-face and written) with Chamber of Commerce and local government officials, economic development officials and other constituent groups. 
• Provides timely responses to inquiries from economic development organization and new business prospects.
• Assesses impact of business development opportunities and proactively pursues and participates on project teams which encourage economic growth.
• Coordinates the management of escalated complaints with the [Customer Relations/Customer Experience] Department. 
• Participates regularly at Chamber of Commerce and economic development organizations. 
• Leads groups or project teams as needed to facilitate such company initiatives as energy fairs, United Way campaign and volunteer initiatives. 

Driving Results:

• Creates and maintains a directory of key territory contacts and tracks important interactions with constituents and other job tasks using a relationship management database. 
• Manages a territory budget. 

 

Qualifications: 

Education, Certifications/Licenses: 

Required: -

• Bachelor’s Degree in, Marketing, Public Administration, Political Science, Engineering or related field. 

 

Related Work Experience:

Required:

• Experience in interaction with internal and external stake holders including municipal, business and community leaders 
• Experience & thorough knowledge of natural gas distribution systems 

 

Specific Skills & Knowledge: 

Required: 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective interpersonal relationships - Exemplify a high level of diplomacy and decorum 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills 
• Experience in negotiating and conflict resolution 
• Public Speaking/presentation Skills
• Familiarity with local government – structure, processes, decision makers
• Customer service-oriented 

 

Working Conditions/Physical 

Requirements:

•  Must always be ready to respond to field emergencies
• If away from territory, backup arrangements must be made and communicated internally as necessary 
• Some evening and weekend requirements
• Must have valid driver’s license and access to transportation to attend meetings/events in territory 

 

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