Lead Associate, Stakeholder Relations

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Texas.

📋 Description

• Assist in the creation and implementation of AES’ regional stakeholder engagement strategy as well as the national strategy for energy campuses and powered land.

• Oversee engagement efforts for a designated portfolio of renewable energy projects across MISO, SPP, and ERCOT.

• Facilitate energy campus and powered land initiatives from site assessment and due diligence through development, permitting, construction, and operational phases.

• Perform stakeholder and community due diligence for potential projects, sites, and acquisitions.

• Keep track of national and state trends, policy changes, and public attitudes related to renewable energy, data centers, large-load development, and energy infrastructure.

• Create and uphold strategic engagement plans, community and risk assessments, and localized communication strategies.

• Organize coalitions to demonstrate industry support for AES projects and ensure favorable results.

• Foster cross-functional alignment with internal teams, customer counterparts, development partners, and utility providers.

• Nurture relationships with elected officials, regulators, economic development organizations, trade and business associations, community institutions, labor unions, and building trades.

• Assist in public hearings, zoning and land use approvals, tax incentives, and development agreements.

• Conduct culturally competent consultations, including engagement with Indigenous and Tribal communities when relevant.

• Maintain inquiry and notification channels, document feedback, address concerns, and communicate results.

• Design, negotiate, and implement community benefit agreements and social impact partnerships.

• Monitor commitments, accountability, and outcomes, providing regular progress reports.

• Keep stakeholder records, interaction data, feedback, commitments, and engagement reports organized within CRM tools.

• Lead stakeholder risk assessments and contribute to risk reporting for executives.

• Develop and manage engagement budgets while overseeing consultants or agencies.

• Create locally tailored project information, presentations, talking points, and public displays in collaboration with Communications.

• Foster local media relationships, serve as an authorized project spokesperson, and assist with issue and crisis communication.

• Organize and execute public meetings, open houses, community events, virtual engagement sessions, ribbon cuttings, and site visits.

• Represent AES at community events, conferences, and in business and government settings.

• Uphold AES values and adhere to company policies and standards.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in community engagement, advocacy, public relations, public affairs, environmental studies, communications, political science, local government, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in stakeholder engagement, community or public affairs, or a comparable field.

• At least 3 years of direct experience in the energy sector supporting generation, storage, transmission, or large-load infrastructure projects.

• Proven experience leading advocacy and engagement efforts with diverse communities, from small and rural areas to urban centers.

• Knowledge of governmental and regulatory requirements, permitting and land use processes, current issues, and community dynamics.

• Must be a resident of the central United States.

• Expected travel of up to 50% nationally, with a focus on the central U.S., including overnight stays.

• Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

• Availability to address urgent stakeholder issues, incidents, or media inquiries outside of regular business hours.

• Possession of a valid driver’s license and ability to comply with AES driving and fleet policy requirements.

• Capability to successfully complete a background check and pre-employment criteria.

• Adherence to AES safety protocols, including PPE, during site visits.

• Compliance with relevant lobbying, gift, and political activity laws and AES policies, including required registrations.

• Preferred: Advanced degree in Public Relations, Communications, Public Policy, Business Administration, or a related field.

• Preferred: Experience with data centers, energy campuses, industrial or other large-load development, site selection, or economic development.

• Preferred: Background in negotiating community benefit, host community, or economic development agreements.

• Preferred: Understanding of the political and community landscape in Texas and other central U.S. markets.

🏝️ Benefits

• Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering diversity and inclusion.

• Required PPE and adherence to AES safety protocols for field and site work.

• Option for remote or home office work.

• Opportunities for employee volunteer activities through the AES Social Impact Program.