Lead Public Affairs

Job Description

Position Summary
Represents the interests of Washington Gas before state and local governments in assigned jurisdiction and key local and regional business and trade. organizations. Develops and executes an annual public policy strategy and public affairs program agenda for state and local legislative initiatives and supports advocacy strategies to address such initiatives. Works with business coalitions to leverage public policy outcomes. Represents the interests of Washington Gas before state and local governments in the District of Columbia and key local and regional business and trade organizations. Develops and executes an annual public policy strategy and public affairs program agenda for state and local legislative initiatives and supports advocacy strategies to address such initiatives.

Tasks and Responsibilities
• Conducts legislative and policy analysis to determine impact on the company and develops public policy strategies.
• Coordinates the day-to-day execution of approved advocacy strategies before local legislative and executive branch audiences and the District of Columbia to influence desired business outcomes.
• Establishes and maintains key state and local public policy and business relationships for the Company.
• Develops strategies which may lead to new business opportunities for Washington Gas business units.
• Networks with pertinent business organizations and industry advocates to anticipate and advise on emerging public policy issues and trends that may impact Washington Gas at the state and local government levels.
• Keeps abreast of and disseminates information concerning state and local public policy and business initiatives affecting the Company.
• Maintains key internal relationships with Company business units.
• Provides policy analyses and action recommendations to senior company officials and executives.
• Serves as liaison to state and local elected officials and their staff on constituent service inquiries and addresses such inquiries timely and effectively.
• Negotiates external public affairs vendor agreements and manages external contract lobbyists.
• Under minimal supervision, responsible for assisting in the strategy for public policy strategy in leading the company's public policy planning framework.
• Serves as the key lobbyists and point of contact for state, and county-level policy strategies before District of Columbia, and local policy officials.
• Coordinates and provides recommendations and counsel to senior executives in the coordination of public policy strategies.
• Serves as liaison with local government and state agencies.
• Monitors bills, speeches, and statements of government leaders and legislators.
• Often serves as witness in writing, reviewing and testifying for hearings.
• Is recognized as an expert in own area within the company on legislative challenges and recommendations.
• Acts as change agent for driving legislative and public policy agenda to enhance company objectives and strategy.
• Viewed as an advisor to legislative stakeholders on company’s interest and questions.
• Also acts as a mediator between legislators and constituents involving matters of company issues or concerns.

Qualifications, Skills and Abilities
• Bachelor's Degree Political Science, Business Administration or related field required
• Master's Degree preferred
• 7+ Years experience in state and community relations required

• Demonstrated working knowledge of federal, state, and local legislative processes.
• Proven ability to use computer software and applications, including Microsoft Office, to share, retrieve, research and present business information.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate successfully with state and community leaders to achieve desired business outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate multiple scenarios and implement effective solutions to broadly defined business problems.
• Demonstrated ability to present complex ideas logically and concisely to diverse audiences at all organizational levels both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated high level of business acumen and knowledge of business strategy, process and energy industry policy issues.
• Demonstrated ability to establish rapport and effective working relationships with business partners, supervisors, and peers.
• Demonstrated ability to influence/winning support of government personnel and local and regional business representatives.

We offer a competitive salary range of $137,000 to $199,475 per year, commensurate with experience, education, and skills. In addition, we provide a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.

The Company values diversity in its workforce and encourages United States military veterans and service members who meet the qualifications to apply 

Why work at AltaGas?

AltaGas is a North American energy infrastructure company with a focus on owning and operating assets that provides affordable energy to our customers. AltaGas assets include Washington Gas/WGL, SEMCO, and Petrogas. Our talented team, nearly 3,000 strong, leverages the strength of our assets and expertise along the energy value chain to connect customers with premier energy solutions – from the well sites of upstream producers to the doorsteps of homes and businesses to new markets around the world.

We deliver affordable natural gas to approximately 1.7 million customers’ homes and businesses through regulated natural gas distribution utilities across four jurisdictions in the United States and two regulated natural gas storage utilities in the United States. Learn more about our team, vision, and strategy.

To learn more about our mission:  https://youtu.be/k1mrKDdsYW8?si=y1k3NOyHxgf4emdL

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For Canadian hires: AltaGas hires personnel on the basis of job-related qualifications. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to a person's ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, record of offences, marital status, family status or disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.