Community Affairs Manager

Join the diverse and dynamic team that powers Michigan's largest energy provider and one of the nation's largest gas and electric combination utilities. Consumers Energy services 6.7 million of Michigan's 10 million residents - caring for our friends and neighbors in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. We embrace a cleaner and leaner utility vision focused on eliminating energy waste and adding renewable energy from sources such as wind and solar.

At Consumers Energy, we offer more than just a place to work. We foster a culture that supports career development, growth, and stability, and we take pride in offering our co-workers excellent benefits and compensation packages. We are deliberately creating an inclusive culture that makes our diverse team of co-workers feel valued, supported, and empowered every day. We're a company made up of thousands of people, all with different stories to share and work to do, but we stand united in our company purpose: world class performance delivering hometown service.

The Sr Community Affairs Consultant II plus must have demonstrated leadership skills. May be responsible for leading a project with Sr Community Affairs Consultants in a specific subject matter area, performing local public affairs work, government liaison work, franchise renewals, etc, in addition to their assigned territory. Consistently serves as a subject matter expert in complex issues.

Responsibilities:

• Ability to interact with internal and external clients to identify, research and analyze situations to resolve highly advanced problems.
• Knowledge and/or experience in utility practices and procedures and ability to solve complex problems; taking new perspectives using existing solutions
• Ability to negotiate and renew gas/electric franchises prior to their expiration, without direction, while at the same time being able to articulate Consumers Energy value-add.
• Proven highly proficient in multiple areas including the implementation of new and improved ways of doing business in the specific area.
• Readily manages projects in assigned territory (ie. Forestry notifications, Pipeline Remediation Projects and Electric Substation Sittings), being able to convey to local communities the value-add Consumers Energy provides.
• Manages territory conflicts to mutually beneficial outcomes for both Consumers Energy and the community; Builds meaningful relationships with Chambers and EDC’s for advocacy purposes, includes board seats; and contributes to grassroots candidacy development.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in applicable field or equivalent experience
• At least 7+ years of experience in public affairs with a specialty in community/governmental relations, sales, business development or media relations

Essential Functions:

Local ambassadors that manage and foster the local relations of the utility for electric and natural gas operations, generating plants and project development. Developing relationships with Local government, Chambers of Commerce, Economic Development Organizations, as well as other community organizations are established to promote the company’s core values and create support for company issues through the fostering of key external allies. Leveraging information and building credible relationships with key local influencers and decision makers. Must effectively develop and present company information. Serving as an advisor and liaison with industry organizations, community groups, and/or governmental agencies is critical position territory will include Arenac, Clare, Gladwin, Isabella and Midland Counties

All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.