Public Affairs Manager

Public Affairs Manager page is loaded## Public Affairs Manager locations:
Phoenix Office time type:
Full time posted on:
Posted 2 Days Agojob requisition :
JR602LR
E (Leeward Renewable Energy) is a high-growth renewable energy company forging a sustainable future through integrity, innovation, and positive impact. We own and operate 30 large wind, solar, and energy storage projects across the United States, totaling over 3 gigawatts (GW) of generating capacity.

LRE has an ambitious goal of 10GW of operating assets by 2028 and are developing and contracting an increasing pipeline of new projects every year. We take a full-lifecycle approach to our projects, built on a long-term ownership model and a company culture dedicated to our community partners and protecting the environment.

The Public Affairs Regional Manager will oversee community engagement strategies for LRE’s West region projects to minimize risks, build support, and enhance project value. The Public Affairs Manager will oversee community engagement strategies for LRE’s West region projects in development to minimize risks, build support, and enhance project value. This role includes managing public affairs activities in collaboration with a variety of cross functional teams, as well as coordinating public hearings, community meetings, and media relations.

The candidate must understand utility-scale renewable energy development, permitting processes, and have experience in stakeholder engagement and community advocacy. This role requires travel 25-50% of the time depending on business needs.# Responsibilities:
* Provide strategic public affairs leadership across LRE’s West Region development portfolio, offering insight into project development risk, local dynamics, and stakeholder sentiment.
* Shape public affairs priorities and advocacy strategies for projects, applying deep subject matter expertise in community engagement tools, tactics, and best practices.
* Lead high-impact initiatives such as coalition building, supporter and grassroots engagement campaigns, land use and zoning advocacy efforts, and other project-specific community engagement strategies.
* Serve as a trusted representative of Leeward Renewable Energy in public meetings, hearings, and industry organizations, with authorization to speak on behalf of the company.
* Manage high-stakes communications and sensitive stakeholder situations, exercising sound judgment and providing recommendations to leadership on risk mitigation and engagement strategy.
* Act as a primary point of contact for key external allies, elected officials, regulators, tribal representatives, NGOs, and local decision-makers.
* Develop and oversee strategic communications materials, including messaging, talking points, presentations, press materials, and community-facing content.
* Manage external public affairs and public relations agencies to ensure alignment with project goals and execution of engagement strategies.
* Participate in project team meetings and maintain a deep understanding of project development and permitting milestones, proactively identifying issues and opportunities and providing judgment-based counsel to project teams and leadership on emerging issues, permitting risks, and stakeholder concerns.
* Conduct site visits to key project locations to support stakeholder outreach, strengthen relationships, and inform strategy development.#

Qualifications:

* Graduate and/or Bachelors Degree in Public Affairs, Political Science, Communications or related field.
* 5-7 years’ experience in Public Affairs, Communications, Community/Stakeholder Engagement, or Renewable Energy.
* Political campaign and advocacy experience a plus.
* Experience managing and resolving complex utility-scale renewable energy public affairs issues
* Proven track record successfully building relationships with community, local, state and federal government officials, NGOs, tribes, and other stakeholders to gain project support, minimize or eliminate opposition, and build trust
* Experience and familiarity navigating the complex permitting processes for projects sited on federal lands
* Experience managing and directing communications…