Community Relations Manager

At Enviva, we care about people, forests, and climate change. Together, we serve our customers with the professionalism of a global leader and the entrepreneurial spirit of a company that is redefining the future of renewable energy today. 

Enviva is seeking a Community Relations (CR) Manager for the Mid-Atlantic Region. The Manager will lead local and regional community engagement efforts in localities with current and proposed Enviva manufacturing and port facilities in the region, covering South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia.  Duties include managing community investment and philanthropic activities, outreach to local government officials, business groups and nonprofit organizations, event coordination, arraigning tours, and support for media relations (traditional and social). The CR Manager will establish relationships, implement, and follow standard procedures for community relations activities in the region and train Enviva associates to carry out engagement activities at the local level.   

The CR Manager will partner with key internal stakeholders including Sustainability, Corporate Development, Environmental Affairs, Communications, and other Community Relations colleagues to successfully promote outreach and community engagement, make connections with stakeholder groups to strengthen Enviva’s ties to local communities, the forest products industry, and government officials.  S/he will ensure that the outreach program enhances the company’s overall reputation, provides local communities with empowering programming, while bridging community and business goals.  The CR Manager in coordination with Enviva colleagues will develop and lead initiatives to create external visibility and communicate Enviva’s corporate social responsibility programs both internally and externally. 

In the communities Enviva operates, the CR Manager will be responsible for empowering individuals and communities through dynamic engaging programming, events, and sponsorships.  The CR Manager will identify opportunities for Enviva to build on prior successes as a leading force for long-term, meaningful social and environmental change and seek out new opportunities for engagement.  S/he will be a strategic thinker, a strong communicator, and an entrepreneur dedicated both to community development and to Enviva’s mission of corporate social responsibility.   

Responsibilities

Stakeholder Relations and Partnerships 

Work with manufacturing plant and port managers (for existing facilities) and construction and corporate development teams (for future facilities) to develop relationships with multiple stakeholders, including but not limited to: 

• Community members in adjacent communities.
• Allies in the business and forestry community.
• Local community groups, such as school districts and civic groups.
• Conduct outreach to other stakeholder groups including non-government organizations (NGOs).
• Develop and maintain relationships with state and local government officials.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local reporters.
• Identify, cultivate, and manage partnership opportunities that build and reinforce Enviva’s reputation as a reliable community partner.
• Manage Enviva’s internal community outreach strategy in the region, including community development and employee volunteerism.

Community Relations 

• In partnership with Plant Managers and other key Operational Staff, plan and manage community outreach activities with local businesses and non-profits to effectively promote the Company’s philanthropic initiatives.
• Attend and speak at community meetings, public hearings and civic events.
• Monitor and track local community and political events that may impact the Company’s facilities.
• Engage regularly with residential and business communities in towns/regions where Enviva facilities are located which include public and charter schools, civic clubs, local conservation and environmental organizations and local economic development commissions.
• Working with the Communications Department, address any public relations concerns at facilities that directly affect the neighboring communities.
• Plan and hold community Q&A meetings; attend public hearings and/ or forums; liaise with economic development commissions and local politicians to ensure we have most current and relevant information.

Strategic Communications 

• • Create, review, and edit communication materials ensuring consistency with core values and organizational goals.
  • Document activities for social media, internal communications, and external sources.
  • Engage in diverse forums to communicate the benefits of wood bioenergy power including conferences, seminars, and academic symposia.
  • Maintain comprehensive knowledge of applicable sustainability topics including forestry, carbon accounting, and renewable energy; track new research and developments.

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s Degree required. 
• Background in environmental advocacy, renewable energy, community relations, constituent services, or the forest products industry strongly preferred.
• A minimum of 6 years’ experience as a communications leader in a position requiring interaction with multiple stakeholders.
• Extremely strong speaking and presentation skills, and equally strong interpersonal skills and business acumen.
• Ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines and high intensity work environment.
• Experience dealing with the forest products industry, government, NGOs, associations, local community groups, and other key stakeholders, with a focus on sustainability and environmental issues.
• Demonstrated success working in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment.
• Sound judgment, strong problem-solving skills and experience working directly with senior executives.
• Strong team player
• Familiarity with legislative and regulatory processes in the region.

Preferred Qualifications - What Will Set You Apart

• Existing relationships with any of the following: community groups, environmental organizations, the forest products industry, local elected officials in communities where Enviva has existing or proposed plants in South Carolina, North Carolina, or Virginia. Experience working as a remote employee in a fast-paced corporate structure. 

Travel requirements

• Ability to travel in the Mid-Atlantic region by car (including long day trips) approximately 75% of the time, with some additional air or car travel to Enviva locations outside the region.