VP- Government Affairs

Primary Purpose:

The Vice President of Government & Public Affairs will combine creativity and intellectual excellence to develop and execute strategic government relations and communications activities at the federal, state, and local levels to position Tallgrass as a first mover in significant new clean energy initiatives while also supporting our traditional business interests. In support of that effort, the position will collaborate with outside consultants and internal business teams to ensure alignment between our strategic business objectives and public policy goals. The role will indirectly report to the Chief Project Officer and support the Chief Commercial Officer.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Government Affairs

Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and implement comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategies for international, federal, state, and local government officials; community groups; and NGOs across an array of geographies.
• Spend significant time on-the-ground in communities developing, fostering, and strengthening relationships; and providing presentations related to various projects and operations.
• Participate in, build, and leverage key industry trade associations and other external groups to effectively position the Company’s business priorities with relevant stakeholders.

Legislative Engagement

• Analyze, interpret, and anticipate legislative threats and opportunities across an array of geographies; making recommendations and distilling complex legislative/regulatory changes and public policy issues; developing and executing comprehensive plans to drive positive outcomes.
• Protect and enhance the Company’s reputation among policymakers and policy influencers.
• Support outreach with policymakers, industry players, academia, and key opinion formers in thoughtful dialogue.
• Draft position papers, briefing materials, technical documents, white papers, and presentation materials on relevant legislative and policy issues.

Public Affairs

Communications

• Maintain alignment with Tallgrass Communication while exercising a degree of communications autonomy to meet deadlines; be capable of independently developing content and communications materials (such as talking points, presentations, advertisement copy, draft press releases, etc.) to support rapid and competing commercial and project objectives across numerous initiatives.
• Screen, recruit, and manage outside communications consultants and lobbyists whose effectiveness is critical to meeting the Company’s commercial objectives.

Administrative

Management

• Lead an internal team and screen, recruit, and manage outside communications consultants and lobbyists whose effectiveness is critical to meeting the Company’s objectives.

Professional Expectations

• Engage with a wide variety of people with tact, courtesy, and professionalism.
• Foster a corporate culture that promotes unwavering commitment to safety, regulatory compliance, technical and commercial excellence, and teamwork.
• Speak clearly, both in person and by telephone, using a high level of verbal skills and listen carefully.
• Maintain regular, dependable attendance and a consistently high level of performance.
• Will work non-traditional hours as needed.
• Maintain a high regard for personal safety, for the safety of company assets and employees, and the general public.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Communications, Public Relations, or related discipline.

Experience/Specific Knowledge

• A minimum of 20 years of experience in external affairs roles, with 10 years in a management capacity.
• Proven track record in leveraging external affairs to support the development of large-scale infrastructure.
• Demonstrated superior leadership outcomes in the areas of leading self, leading others, and leading an organization.
• Proven ability to drive positive change with continuous improvement.
• Proven track record of successful, innovative leadership and delivery of performance results.

Certifications, Licenses & Registrations

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record satisfactory to the company and its insurers (for travel).

Competencies, Skills & Abilities

• Executive presence and gravitas with already established relationships and credibility with policymakers at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Ability to exercise tact, diplomacy, and discretion in dealing with highly sensitive, complex, confidential, and controversial issues and situations.
• High degree of teamwork, organizational, and project management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Proven ability to work well across all levels of management.
• Strong critical thinking skills with the ability to identify and solve problems.
• Broad business acumen and acute political sensitivity.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, comfortable in public speaking roles.
• Ability to work with a team, take direction from management, adhere to required work schedules, focus attention on details, and follow work rules.
• Ability to juggle multiple responsibilities with high-quality execution and performance.
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and re-prioritize assignments as needed.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with firm deadlines.
• Ability to travel extensively during legislative time periods, and as needed during non-legislative time periods, often with little notice.

Physical Demands:
All the physical requirements listed below may be necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Sitting; standing; walking or moving throughout the facility; driving; talking; seeing (specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus); hearing; feeling; bending or stooping; squatting or crouching; reaching; kneeling; pushing; pulling; lifting to 25 lbs.
• Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time.
• The employee is regularly required to use hands to type, touch, handle, or feel. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk and climb or balance. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Working Conditions:

• Modern office location in Houston, Texas.
• Required to carry a cell phone and be available to respond during working and non-working hours.
• Extensive travel (50%) to Washington, DC; Denver, CO; Leawood, KS; and other domestic and international locations may be required.
• Candidates will be required to clear a drug screen and complete a background check, including a credit report for certain positions after an offer has been extended and prior to being employed.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Yes

Preferred Education, Experience, Certifications, Competencies, Skills & Abilities:

• Experience in the Energy, Oil, or Gas industries preferred.
• Master’s Degree preferred.

Other Responsibilities:

• The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed. This position may perform other duties as assigned.

About Us

Tallgrass was named one of the 2023 Top Workplaces USA and highlighted in Colorado’s Top Workplaces for the past seven consecutive years. Tallgrass is a leading energy infrastructure company focused on safely, reliably, and sustainably delivering the energy and services that power our nation and enable our quality of life.

At Tallgrass, we value our teams and strive to create an environment where employees feel respected, and their contributions are valued. We aim to support employees’ physical, mental, and financial well-being through a comprehensive Total Rewards Program.

• Industry competitive pay
• Health insurance package options that include Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts
• Infertility Coverage
• Parental Leave
• 401(k) with up to a 6% match that vests immediately plus an employer discretionary contribution of up to 4%
• Wellness Programs and Mental Health Resources
• Employer-paid life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage
• Critical Illness & Accident Insurance
• Vacation, sick days, paid caregiver leave, volunteer and bereavement paid time off
• Identity theft protection
• Annual discretionary bonus
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Company-paid holidays and floating holidays
• Company vehicle (if applicable)
• Employee discounts; vehicles, tires, cellular plans, and more
• Networking and employee engagement events
• Personal development to grow your career with us based on your strengths and interests

Application Deadline: Recruiting timelines vary by position; however, all Tallgrass positions accept applications for at least five business days from the posting date. This position is open and still accepting applications.

Compensation: Compensation ranges are provided in good faith based on what we anticipate when researching wages for this position at the state and national levels. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This salary range may also be modified in the future.

Notice to External Search Firms: Tallgrass does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Unsolicited referrals and resumes are considered Tallgrass property; therefore, Tallgrass will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited referral. Approved vendors may be invited to refer talent for specific positions at Tallgrass’s request only. A fully executed agreement with Tallgrass must be in place and current in these cases.

EEO Statement: Tallgrass complies with all Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) affirmative action laws and regulations. Tallgrass does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, veteran status, pregnancy status, or other status protected by law.

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