Associate Director, Community & Stakeholder Engagement Associate Director, Community & Stakehol

Associate Director, Community & Stakeholder Engagement

Cypress Creek Renewables Hybrid
· Chicago, IL, US
· Illinois, US
· Durham, NC, US
· North Carolina, US ... more 1 day ago

The Company

Cypress Creek Energy is powering a sustainable future, one project at a time. We develop, finance, own and operate utility-scale and distributed solar and storage projects across the country. Fostering a diverse group of innovative thinkers from all backgrounds, Cypress people are drawn to work in a purpose-driven organization. We hope you will join us.

Overview

Cypress Creek is seeking an experienced community and stakeholder engagement leader to drive project development and execution across a regional portfolio, with primary responsibility for Arkansas and additional coverage across states east of the Mississippi River and other regions as needed.

The Associate Director will lead the development and implementation of strategic engagement plans, build durable relationships with communities and public officials, and serve as a senior spokesperson for projects. The ideal candidate brings strong judgement, deep communication expertise, and the ability to translate complex project information into clear, compelling narratives that build trust and public support.

Responsibilities

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

• Lead and execute comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategies for projects across the assigned region
• Build and maintain relationships with community leaders, advocacy groups, and other key stakeholders
• Conduct stakeholder mapping and develop targeted outreach strategies
• Develop and implement plans that build public understanding and support for projects

Government & Regulatory Engagement

• Establish and maintain relationships with elected officials, municipalities, regulatory agencies, and government entities, in collaboration with Government Affairs
• Represent the company at public hearings, community meetings, and critical discussions
• Identify permitting and regulatory risks and communicate them effectively to leadership

Communications & Media Relations

• Act as or support project spokespersons by leading media engagement, public presentations, and community forums, while coaching others to deliver clear, credible, and impactful messaging.
• Develop messaging, presentations, and written materials
• Partner with internal teams on media relations strategy and execution

Strategic Planning & Storytelling

• Develop engagement plans aligned with project goals
• Translate complex information into accessible communications
• Craft stories highlighting project value and community benefits

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work with Government Affairs, Development, Project Execution, and Operations teams
• Lead identification and mitigation of risks related to community acceptance, stakeholder sentiment, and social license.
• Provide guidance on engagement best practices

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and mentor team members or consultants
• Manage external vendors
• Contribute to a collaborative team environment

Education & Experience Required

• Bachelor's degree
• 5+ years of relevant experience
• Experience with municipalities, elected officials, and regulatory agencies
• Strong stakeholder engagement and planning skills
• Public speaking and spokesperson experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to simplify complex information
• Experience in media relations
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Willingness to travel up to 40%
• Embrace and live by the missions and values of Cypress Creek Energy

Preferred

• Regional experience in Arkansas or surrounding areas
• Experience in energy, infrastructure, or related industries
• Experience managing team members or consultants

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinker with strong execution skills
• Skilled relationship builder
• Comfortable managing complex and challenging situations
• Organized and detail-oriented
• Collaborative team player
• Ability to anticipate risks and develop solutions

Additional Expectations

• Represent Cypress Creek Energy at events and public meetings
• Maintain understanding of regional stakeholder and policy dynamics
• Support national initiatives as needed

Location: The preferred location for this role is…