Stakeholder Communications, Engagement & Key Projects Manager

Are you ready to join an organization where we focus on People First, have fun at work and make a difference in what we do?

Dairyland is proud of our People First culture centered around appreciation, celebrating wins and collaboration. We’ve worked hard to ensure alignment between our culture and our processes and systems, learning and development, and rewards and recognition programs.

As a team, we work together to leverage the team’s diverse perspectives, ideas and experiences to deliver nothing less than the best. We are collaborative, transparent and committed to our People and their work experience, growth and professional development.

Stakeholder Communications, Engagement & Key Projects Manager

Hiring Salary Range for Level II: $114,900 – $172,400

Compensation is determined by a combination of factors, including but not limited to education, work experience, and certifications. The actual offer may vary, reflecting the candidate’s unique blend of experience, educational background, and skill level.

The Stakeholder Communications, Engagement & Key Projects Manager will be responsible for leading Dairyland Power Cooperative’s communications and stakeholder engagement efforts for large transmission and generation projects. Responsibilities include managing relationships, coordinating with internal teams and external partners, and ensuring consistent messaging and outreach. The candidate will stay updated on project activities, regulatory requirements, and public sentiment, providing expertise to enhance engagement efforts. Additionally, they will support Dairyland’s internal and external communication initiatives and major projects.

Essential Job Functions

1. Lead with a safety-first mindset, support new project communication planning and relationships associated with stakeholder engagement. Develop, implement and manage comprehensive external affairs plans and schedules focused on community outreach, stakeholder engagement, communications, education, advocacy, government affairs/relations, public relations and messaging with external partners, with a goal of achieving public support for the project(s).
2. Coordinate joint public and press engagements with partner companies, communicate with the public and press pertaining to specific activities, accomplishments or milestones directly related to the project(s), and act as Dairyland’s general liaison with news media, external stakeholders and members of the public on matters directly related to the project(s).
3. Coordinate with internal team members and project partners to ensure messaging alignment and close cooperation. Collaborate with Project Managers to oversee costs, contracts and schedules. Discuss budget for external affairs activities and align on resource allocation, as well as utilization of external resources: consultants, pollsters, public relations experts, lobbyists, etc.
4. Effectively communicate with leadership team, board of directors, Dairyland Managers Association (DMA), and internal/external project teams, as well as other regional stakeholders (as identified) to provide regular project status updates, ensure broad understanding of strategic plans for communications and stakeholder engagement, and public support for Dairyland project(s). Additionally, and as needed, develop, prepare and deliver written and oral communications to various groups.
5. Perform other internal and external public relations in coordination with other departments and project leadership, to include research, planning (including goal setting and message development), analysis (to include metric development and tracking), project work, member interface, media relations and other duties as assigned.
6. Provide support to government affairs, communications, grants and regulatory affairs in the development of needed communications and messaging materials.
7. As needed, serve as a communications generalist, producing written and digital content, creative and event support for additional key projects or initiatives.
8. Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in public relations, marketing, communications or related field with minimum of 5 years of experience in communications, external affairs, community engagement and/or government relations. Must have a comprehensive knowledge of the utility industry. Utility (or related field) major project communications management experience preferred.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Strong leadership and managerial attributes, with an ability to work effectively both independently and as a team member.
• Proven safety-first leadership commitment to foster a culture of safety and excellence.
• Ability to communicate utility- and cooperative-related issues and challenges.
• Interface professionally and diplomatically.
• Excellent verbal, written, digital/social media and interpersonal skills required, as are organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Judgment, instinct, tact and courtesy in oral and written communications.
• Highly proficient writing and editing skills using best English grammar and sentence construction, advanced composition techniques, journalistic standards and AP style are required.
• Excellent research and writing skills with the ability to understand and interpret highly technical information and effectively communicate it to audiences of all ages.
• Ability to professionally represent Dairyland in a variety of business, legislative and public forums, potentially including the news media.
• Solution-oriented, creative thinker and proven ability to motivate others, including teammates.
• Ability to work effectively with peers and all levels of management to help shape positions on critical issues and plan and implement appropriate public affairs tactics.
• Goal-oriented self-starter with initiative and ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Make decisions under pressure. Effectively manage stressful situations and shifting priorities.
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues across functions and business lines, and influence co-workers who are not direct reports. Relate well to customers, peers, co-workers, and leadership by active demonstration of our core values.
• Organizational skills necessary to plan, devise and implement complex internal and external communication plans and outreach strategies.
• Ability to quickly learn Dairyland policies and procedures.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand/sit; walk; use hands/fingers to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits

We are committed to providing our greatest asset, our People, with as many perks and benefits as possible. Some benefits of working with us include:

• Health & disability benefits (medical, dental, vision, short & long-term disability)
• Life insurance
• Generous 401(k) and Pension Plans
• Paid Time Off
• Robust Wellness Program
• New Flexible Work Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• So much more!

Dairyland Power Cooperative is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

If you are an individual with disabilities who needs accommodation or you are having difficulty using our website to apply for employment, contact our HR Department at 608-788-4000.

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