Reporting to the Director of Government Affairs, the Manager of Government Affairs partners with the Director of Government Affairs to design and operationalize the department’s strategic planning, operating model, and cross-functional execution, while supporting stakeholder relationships and business needs. Furthermore, this role involves shaping departmental objectives into actionable strategies; spearheading and calibrating initiatives led by the department and in collaboration with other business units; and engaging and influencing key stakeholders to support business priorities and initiatives. This role is accountable for establishing structured planning, performance visibility, and governance frameworks to ensure disciplined execution and measurable outcomes across Government Affairs.
Key responsibilities, include :
Strategic Planning
- Develop and execute government affairs comprehensive roadmap involving high-level project management performance, including:
+ Establishing and facilitating a consistent planning and coordination cadence
+ Define escalation paths and decision thresholds
+ Maintaining clarity on roles, ownership, and boundaries across the department
- Analyze legislative, regulatory, and political developments to assess business impacts and recommend proactive strategies
- Identify emerging risks and opportunities, ensuring departmental objectives and that overall company goals are positioned for long-term success
- Ensure priorities, capacity, and extremal commitments are balanced holistically
- Prepare concise executive-level briefings on priorities, risks, and upcoming activity
- Design and implement the Government Affairs operating model, including planning cadence, governance structure, and performance tracking frameworks
- Establish and maintain KPI dashboards and reporting to provide visibility into legislative activity, stakeholder engagement, and enterprise risk
Cross-Functional Execution
- Synchronize and collaborate across business units to establish synergies and alignment among legislative, regulatory, and company operational priorities
- Lead the development and execution of integrated project plans, governance structures, and enterprise alignment mechanisms to ensure successful delivery of cross-functional initiatives
- Ensure outreach, messaging, and engagement occur only when readiness thresholds are met as established by the department lead and originated plans
Business Demands
- Create department presentations, talking points, reports, and any other needed materials or resource/references for internal and external use
- Support internal and external stakeholder needs through structured communication, reporting, and coordination
- Attend internal and external meetings and forums assigned and as proxy to Director of Government Affairs
Operating Model & Performance Management
- Develop and maintain a centralized legislative and stakeholder tracking system (CRM or equivalent)
- Create executive dashboards and reporting frameworks to track priorities, risks, and outcomes
- Establish regular governance cadence (weekly, monthly, quarterly) to drive accountability and alignment
- Ensure clear ownership, decision-making frameworks, and escalation paths across initiatives
- Drive continuous improvement in how Government Affairs plans, executes, and measures impact across the enterprise
Stakeholder Influence & External Engagement
- Contribute in developing and delivering clear, persuasive messaging to advance company positions
- Build and maintain strong relationships with policymakers, regulators, industry associations, and community stakeholders, and collaborate with respective parties on projects and initiatives
- Represent the company in external meetings, hearings, coalitions, and industry association
- Influence policy outcomes through coordinated advocacy, trusted relationships, and department tools and resources
Qualifications
Education, Certifications/Licenses
Required:
- B.S./B.A. degree in business, public affairs, communications or related studies
Related Work Experience
Required:
- 5+ years of management in external affairs, corporate and/or customer program implementation, utility operations, or equivalent experience and/or training
+ Experience with legislative and/or administrative process
* Experience as a registered lobbyist, grassroots campaigns, or equivalent experience and/or training
* Demonstrated community/civic engagement
Preferred:
- Experience in Illinois state or municipal affairs
- Master of Business Administration degree and/or Project Management Certifications
Specific Skills& Knowledge:
Required:
- Excellent written, verbal and effective communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective interpersonal relationships
- Marketing, communications, influencing, and/or negotiation skills
- Sound Judgment and decision making
- High ethical competence and personal character strengths
- Strong commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
- Proficiency at MS Word, SharePoint, MS Excel and PowerPoint.
Working Conditions/Physical Requirements :
+ Must be able to travel to Springfield, IL, as needed
+ Must have valid driver’s license and access to transportation to attend meetings/events in-state and occasionally out-of-state travel.
+ Office environment
+ In-office 4 days a week
+ Evening and weekend commitments, as needed
Disclaimer : T his 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: 19125
Job Category: Government & Regulatory Affairs
Job Schedule: Full time
Company: Nicor Gas
Pay Range: $102,154.00 - $160,527.40 USD Annually: Base salary varies depending on a wide array of factors, which may include but are not limited to the specific office location, role, skill set, and level of experience. As required by local law, and at the time of this posting, this is the reasonable salary range for this role.
