Director, Business & Public Affairs

Job Description

The Director, Business and Public Affairs develops and directs Avista’s business and public affairs strategy by aligning company priorities with community, economic, and policy outcomes. He/she leads high‑impact economic vitality initiatives and large‑scale community programs, convening business, government, tribal, and civic stakeholders to align interests, resolve competing priorities, and deliver shared outcomes.

• Directs business opportunities, evaluates risks, and seeks mutually beneficial solutions with communities served to achieve corporate strategies and goals.
• Oversees, plans, organizes, and executes economic development, corporate policy, and large‑scale community initiatives and incentive programs from inception to completion.
• Convenes and facilitates diverse stakeholder groups to align interests, resolve competing priorities, and drive shared outcomes that deliver measurable community and business impact.
• Builds and sustains relationships with local, state, and regional elected officials, senior government, business, and civic leaders to monitor and influence issues, regulations, and policies relevant to the company’s strategic and operational goals.
• Develops broad‑based strategic community relationships to build knowledge, visibility, and reputation as an expert in community needs related to the company’s external focus areas, including local policy, strategic initiatives, and economic and cultural vitality.
• Strategizes and coordinates Avista corporate engagement with assigned customers across departments to ensure service continuity, access to pricing and service options, and the delivery of innovative energy efficiency solutions.
• Develops deep knowledge of energy‑reliant processes within key customer segments, gathers competitive market intelligence, identifies decision makers and influencers, monitors economic and political impacts, and analyzes and recommends cost‑effective solutions leveraging Avista services.
• Manages personnel, including hiring, performance management, coaching, employee engagement, continuous education, training, and development, and has responsibility for the department budget.
• Establishes and maintains close working relationships with other functional directors to keep alignment with the overall company’s strategic direction.
• Creates and implements systems and processes that monitor work to ensure continuous quality service is delivered to all internal and external customers.
• Fosters a positive and supportive work environment; promotes equity, inclusion, diversity, and belonging, and contributes to an environment of mutual respect.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, political science, community development, or related field required;
  Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of account executive, professional sales, or customer relations experience, with specialized training or experience in commercial and industrial plant processes and equipment.
• Ten years of experience in economic development policy and/or strategic development required.
• Demonstrated political and organizational savvy, with the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments and build trust across diverse interests.
• Applicable experience in business recruitment skills, marketing and promotion, financial feasibility, pro forma analysis, current economic trends, economic forecasting, and knowledge of laws, codes, and regulations concerning land use and the development process.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise personnel, resolve conflict, facilitate diverse stakeholder groups, motivate community stakeholders, and manage and execute multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to represent the organization effectively in public, media, and executive‑facing settings.
• Advanced analytical and communication skills to comprehend, interpret, and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to influence others, negotiate to a successful resolution, and engage in effective problem solving in complex or ambiguous environments involving multiple stakeholders.
• Demon…