Midwest Regional External Affairs Manager

at  BP

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Implement strategies for local community outreach and relationship development with key stakeholders such as local chambers of commerce and trade associations, government officials, and emergency response personnel.
Proactively build meaningful relationships with local and state government, community, private and non-profit agencies and organizations in the areas where Archaea has operations.
Identify opportunities for strategic community investments by soliciting and screening grant applications from local non-profits for projects that build strong, sustainable communities, increase Archaea’s local visibility and support company priorities.
Monitor and analyze local and state government policy changes or zoning and permitting requirements for a portfolio of projects. This includes having a daily pulse on city and town ordinances, planning commissions, and council activities and working closely with the regional operations teams to ensure timely awareness and participation in public proceedings.
Share community knowledge across the organization to move projects and operating assets towards successful outcomes while balancing company and community needs.
Ensure proactive, timely and effective communications with community leaders on siting, permitting, construction and maintenance activities.
Represent Archaea at community gatherings or forums and serve as the local point of contact for stakeholders.
Implement and coordinate programs to secure Archaea’s license to operate by disseminating information to the community and soliciting feedback from stakeholders.
Host project tours with community leaders, local officials and other groups as needed.
Work closely with the Communications & External Affairs team to identify opportunities for external storytelling to enhance Archaea’s license to operate in the regions where it does business.

QUALIFICATIONS

The candidate will have experience with local community and government relations and know how to build strong local relationships and understanding of various regions across the U.S. The ideal candidate will be a strategically focused self-starter who takes ownership and proactively develops meaningful relationships with Archaea’s local stakeholders.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE

Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively develop relationships with a variety of stakeholders who have diverse backgrounds and interests.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to present and share information with internal and external stakeholders.
Capacity to effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously from conception to conclusion—on-time and within budget.
Self-directed, entrepreneurial, curious, and hard-working attitude.
10+ years of experience in community or government relations.
Experience in energy issues, including climate and energy transition preferred

SKILLS:

Advocacy, Agility core practices, Analytical Thinking, Brand visual standards, Campaigning, Channel Management, Commercial Acumen, Communication, Content Design, Creating and measuring impact, Crisis Communications, Digital Communication, Digital fluency, Employee Engagement, Influencing, Issues and Policy Management, Listening, Market Trends, Performance Consulting, Presenting, Social Impact Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Stakeholder Management, Writing skills

Under the direction of the Chief Communications and External Affairs Officer, the Midwest Regional External Affairs Manager will be accountable for delivering Archaea’s business objectives through advocacy, strong relationships, and stakeholder engagement. This person will be responsible for comprehensive government and public affairs service delivery. They must have excellent communication skills – verbal and written – and a track record showing how those skills have created value for an organization or business. By developing strong internal relationships, this person will learn Archaea’s business strategy and related objectives and will develop a robust engagement strategy to advance business objectives and projects in the region. He or she will need to be able to identify emerging issues early, make recommendations, and build fit-for-purpose advocacy plans. They will develop strong external relationships with communities, businesses, government, industry associations, advocacy groups, and non-governmental organizations. He/she will collaborate with other members of the Archaea team, as well as bp’s US and global Communications & External Affairs (C&EA) teams.
The candidate must thrive in a fast-paced environment and be able to successfully manage multiple competing priorities. The candidate will ideally live in a large metropolitan area in the Midwest with easy access to an airport. in the Chicago area, but a large metropolitan area in the Midwest will be considered. This employee will work a hybrid schedule combining time in our Chicago office and Houston headquarters and working from home. Significant travel (50%) throughout the Midwest will be required to manage a portfolio of projects in the region.