Manager, Community Relations

Job Summary:

Tenaska Development is one of the country’s leading renewable energy developers, with more than 25 GW of renewable projects in development across the United States and significant growth planned in the near future. The Manager, Community Relations is responsible for fostering community-building and public acceptance for Tenaska development projects across the United States. This public-facing member of the project team develops and executes strategic stakeholder and community engagement plans that align with development milestones for wind, solar, energy storage, carbon capture, hydrogen and other energy projects that support the global energy transition. The Manager helps to ensure that the on-the-ground efforts of the project team (inclusive of customers, partners and consultants) reflect Tenaska’s desire that its development projects be good business neighbors in host communities.

To be successful in this role, a candidate must possess a high degree of intellectual curiosity, problem-solving skills and tenacity.

Essential Job Functions: 

• Develop and execute strategic stakeholder and community engagement plans to support the development of wind, solar, energy storage, carbon capture, hydrogen and other energy projects across the United States.
• • Research project locations and identify key stakeholders (elected officials, landowners, neighbors, etc.) in order to tailor strategies specific to each community.
  • Manage community engagement activities to grow local relationships and foster support for development.
  • Identify opposition and related risks to project success and implement mitigation strategies.
  • Manage media interaction for each project and monitor traditional and social media mentions of development projects.
  • Develop budgets and provide cost accountability, as necessary.
• In collaboration with the Director, Community Relations, coordinate with Tenaska customers/partners on an overarching community engagement philosophy, with an objective of achieving project success while also protecting the reputation and integrity of both Tenaska and its customers/partners. Ensure project-specific community engagement strategies align with customers’ public relations standards, ESG goals and community-giving practices.
• Coordinate with a network of public relations consultants and community representatives that support the local engagement efforts for Tenaska development projects. Identify and vet consultants as needed.
• Aid land acquisition efforts for development projects, including creation of collateral materials for land agents and landowners, as well as planning landowner and community meetings and related activities to support land control.
• Aid due diligence efforts for potential locations for development projects.
• Management of Community Benefits Plans, inclusive of workforce development, environmental justice and DEIA initiatives
• Regularly participate in communications/community engagement calls with relevant trade associations (SEIA, ACP, Clean Grid Alliance, etc.).
• Manage special projects and events, including community events, landowner events, news conferences and presentations, oversee the development of supporting materials such as invitations, news releases, fact sheets, displays and remarks and manage meeting/event logistics for venue and catering.
• Integrate the full spectrum of modern communication methods, including press releases, fact sheets, presentations, websites, social media, electronic messages, audio and visual programming and mass media communication, into strategic plans as appropriate.
• Prepare team members for on-the-ground and media interactions in support of development activities.
• Introduce efficiencies that enhance work processes.
• Travel as required.
• Collaborate with Tenaska’s corporate PRGR team, as needed.
• Modeling integrity and ethical business practices is essential, as is reliable, dependable and predictable attendance.

Education/Experience/Skills

Basic Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations/journalism/mass communications/multimedia communications/political science or related field
• Minimum of five years of experience in public and government affairs, specifically in communications strategy, grassroots organizing and community outreach
• Excellent writing, editing and communication skills

Preferred Requirements:

• Energy industry or economic development experience
• Detail oriented with excellent organizational skills
• Portfolio of results demonstrating communication and presentation skills; team leadership and coordination; meeting facilitation and strong follow-up
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, specifically Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word
• Ability to execute a number of parallel tasks and work with cross-functional teams
• Ability to independently prioritize and make sustained progress toward a deadline
• Passion for building and launching new projects
• Experience in social media and word-of-mouth communication practices
• Analytical
• Positive, self-starter attitude with strong work ethic

At Tenaska we care about the wellbeing of our employees and their families. That’s why we offer our employees a comprehensive benefit package. Benefits included below:

• Health, dental, vison, disability, and life insurance
• Excellent 401(k) plan
• Incentive-based, competitive salary packages
• Health/dependent care flex accounts
• Tuition assistance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Adoption benefits
• Employee assistance program
• Paid vacations and holidays
• Generous sick leave
• Charitable giving program
• Paid maternity/paternity leave
• Wellness programs

TENASKA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER