Community Engagement Manager

Accountabilities:

• Develop and lead community engagement strategies to strengthen local relationships and support energy project deployment across Minnesota.

• Identify key stakeholders, assess community sentiment, anticipate potential concerns, and develop proactive engagement plans.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with local government officials, community organizations, public representatives, and other influential stakeholders.

• Represent the organization at public meetings, local government discussions, community events, and stakeholder consultations.

• Plan and facilitate informational sessions, outreach activities, and community meetings that encourage meaningful dialogue and participation.

• Collaborate with Host Engagement, Commercialization, Marketing, and Project teams to align engagement activities with project milestones and timelines.

• Identify potential community opposition, stakeholder concerns, and project risks early, recommending practical solutions to support successful implementation.

• Support local approval processes and coordinate engagement with authorities having jurisdiction and other relevant decision-makers.

• Develop and maintain engagement tools, dashboards, tracking systems, and repeatable processes to monitor outreach activities and community readiness.

• Maintain accurate records of stakeholder communications, community feedback, commitments, and follow-up actions.

• Partner with Marketing to create clear, accessible communication materials, key messages, and talking points tailored to different audiences.

• Translate complex energy and infrastructure concepts into understandable information that addresses community questions and priorities.

• Share local insights with internal teams and ensure community perspectives inform project planning, development, and execution.

• Contribute to the development of new engagement processes and programs that can scale alongside the organization's growth.

Requirements:

• At least five years of experience in community relations, stakeholder engagement, public affairs, or a related field.

• Demonstrated experience developing and executing community engagement strategies and building productive relationships with local officials and community organizations.

• Strong public speaking, presentation, and communication skills, including the ability to facilitate meetings and engage effectively with diverse audiences.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and sound judgment when navigating sensitive discussions, public concerns, conflicting perspectives, and external communications.

• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and project timelines while maintaining organized and consistent follow-through.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant professional experience.

• Strong writing skills and the ability to develop clear, audience-appropriate messaging about complex topics.

• A proactive, relationship-oriented approach, with the ability to build trust, work independently, and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.

• Preferred qualifications:

  • Experience in energy, utilities, infrastructure, or another regulated industry.

  • Familiarity with Minnesota communities, local government structures, permitting processes, and regulatory requirements.

  • Experience organizing public meetings or managing community engagement for infrastructure, energy, or land-use projects.

  • Familiarity with customer relationship management (CRM) platforms, stakeholder engagement dashboards, or AI-enabled tools.

  • An entrepreneurial mindset, including experience building new programs, developing scalable processes, and adapting to changing business needs.

  • Ability to work remotely from Minnesota, with a preference for candidates based in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area.

  • Willingness to travel regularly throughout Minnesota, including occasional overnight and out-of-state trips.

  Benefits:

  • Annual base salary: $105,400–$143,200, depending on experience, qualifications, and location.

  • Remote-first working arrangement for candidates based in Minnesota.

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

  • Disability and life insurance coverage.

  • 401(k) retirement plan with a 2% employer match.

  • Flexible vacation policy and paid federal holidays.

  • Half-day Fridays.

  • Twelve weeks of gender-neutral paid caregiver leave.

  • One-time work-from-home equipment stipend.

  • Monthly phone and internet allowance of $100.

  • Opportunities to take ownership of projects, contribute ideas, and help build scalable community engagement programs.

  • Collaborative working environment focused on meaningful energy and infrastructure challenges.

  • Opportunities to build relationships with local communities and contribute to more reliable, resilient, and sustainable energy systems.

  • Relocation assistance is not available for this position.