The Manager, Infrastructure & Neighbor Engagement leads and drives comprehensive community engagement strategy for infrastructure modernization and pressure improvement projects and will play an essential role fostering relationships between Virginia Natural Gas and the community. This position involves planning and implementing initiatives that enhance engagement, ensuring the community feels heard, valued and connected to Virginia Natural Gas’ mission and goals to provide clean, safe, reliable and affordable natural gas service. This role requires researching and having a deep understanding of the community’s needs and interests, as well as the ability to translate organizational objectives into community-focused programs that support growth and engagement.
This position has responsibility for and partners and collaborates with internal leaders to ensure the alignment and interdependency of the company’s infrastructure engineering, design and construction processes and community engagement and outreach, including but not limited to Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) studies. The position will lead efforts to ensure the company understands the community impact of siting projects while also performing analysis and developing strategic community engagement plans keeping with State, Federal, legislative and regulatory requirements.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position requires strong leadership, communication, project management and strategic planning skills. Candidates must also be adept at building relationships, listening to community needs and working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders.
Community Engagement
- Develop and implement strategies for increasing community engagement and participation across various platforms, aligning with organizational goals related to infrastructure.
- Lead and manage community engagement programs, events, workshops and meetings, both virtual and in-person, to foster a sense of community and encourage active stakeholder participation.
- Monitor, track and report on community feedback, leveraging insights to improve community engagement initiatives.
- Collect and analyze data to measure outcomes; regularly evaluate the impact of community engagement initiatives and report on progress to company leadership, stakeholders and the community.
- Lead and facilitate conflict resolution within the community, ensuring a respectful and inclusive environment where all members feel valued and heard.
- Provide technical support and develop resources for leaders on conducting inclusive outreach.
- Research, recommend and conduct appropriate community outreach and conduct staff training and support related to community engagement.
- Engage and manage external community engagement consultants.
- Ensure regulatory requests have the appropriate community engagement analysis as required by applicable laws and regulations; testify in regulatory proceedings and respond to data requests.
- Direct internal reviews of processes for effectiveness and assessments of the impact of strategic plans related to community engagement.
- Conduct social impact assessments to support business development and infrastructure projects.
- Assess and lead efforts to mitigate risks, explore mitigation strategies and build appropriate community engagement plans.
Collaboration and Partnerships
- Lead internal efforts to continue our Company’s commitment to developing infrastructure that puts neighbors at the center of all we do.
- Represent VNG in Southern Company/Southern Company Gas enterprise-wide collaboration on community engagement and environmental stewardship.
- Partner and collaborate with Engineering, Regional Operations & Strategic Projects and Project Management departments to identify and analyze potential impacts of projects and draft provisions in reports or other documents.
- Partner with Regulatory Affairs, Governmental Affairs and Community Affairs to establish and maintain relationships with community leaders and influencers to amplify community outreach efforts and partnerships.
- Interact with stakeholders including state and federal agency staff, the regulated community and the general public in coordination with Government Affairs and Regulatory Affairs.
- Partner with Corporate Communications and other internal stakeholders to create, curate and manage published content (images, video, written) to engage community members, stimulate conversation and build brand awareness.
- Coordinate with the Marketing and Corporate Communications team to integrate community relations strategies with broader marketing campaigns and leverage community insights for marketing purposes.
- In partnership and collaboration with Corporate Communications, research and implement new technologies and tools for community engagement, such as social media platforms or community management software, to enhance the effectiveness of engagement strategies.
- Oversee internal and external reporting.
JOB REQUIREMENTS: (Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills )
- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution and at least 3-5 years of experience in community/stakeholder engagement. Energy sector experience valuable.
- Demonstrated experience supporting and giving presentations for public or stakeholder outreach.
- Knowledge of principles, practices, terms and concepts of community engagement, social/economic equity issues, economic analysis, legal mandates, current trends and applications in Federal, State and local planning, land use and environmental law.
- Demonstrated experience in drafting reports and/or written analysis of demographic, geospatial or program data.
SPECIFIC SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE:
- Core community engagement skills.
- Ability to translate complex concepts into easy-to-understand and relatable ones for target audiences.
- Exceptionally strong written and verbal skills; strong presentation skills.
- Proficient use of various software applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
- Self-starter with exceptional follow-through skills.
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines.
- Ability to hold self and others accountable for results.
- Proven relationship-building and collaboration skills at all levels within an organization.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Due to nature of role, employee may occasionally work beyond traditional business hours to meet deadlines or attend events as company representative.
- Works in a hybrid office environment – at least four days a week in our Virginia Beach office required.
- Occasional Travel (5-20% travel): The incumbent will be required to travel on occasion. Trips may require air travel and/or overnight stay away from home for one or more nights.
Disclaimer: This information describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this job. The description is not designed to be a comprehensive inventory of duties, responsibilities and qualifications required in the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to qualified disabled individuals for performance of essential duties and responsibilities.
About Southern Company Gas
Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), America’s premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.2 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states and approximately 600,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com .
Southern Company (NYSE: SO ) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy solutions provider with national capabilities, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience and sustainability, we are taking action to meet customers' and communities' needs while advancing our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture has been recognized by a variety of organizations, earning the company awards and recognitions that reflect Our Values and dedication to service. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com .
Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s). A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here https://seo.nlx.org/southernco/pdf/SOCO-Benefits.pdf . Additional and specific details about total compensation and benefits will also be provided during the hiring process.
Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.
Job Identification: 12417
Job Category: Communications & External Affairs
Job Schedule: Full time
Company: AGL Services Company
