Overview

The Corporate Affairs Manager is responsible for enhancing external relations by creating and maintaining a positive corporate presence in the local community and to implement programs establishing the Company as a leading corporate citizen. Develops and maintains relationships with elected officials and key community leaders through strategic planning, relationship building, intelligence gathering, effective communications and personal interaction.

- Assist the Director in carrying out the objectives and functions of O&R Regional & Community Affairs.

- Manage community partnership activities relating to municipal government, emergency service organizations (Fire, Police, OEM), grassroots/civic/service organizations, business groups, non-profits, community groups and others as needed.

- Manage a portion of the Business and Civic grant program; that includes identifying grants, securing requests.

- Coordinate relations with elected and government officials and community-based organizations. Represent O&R and the Regional and Community Affairs Department with local organizations to expand support for O&R programs throughout the community.

- Resolve and track all constituent inquiries from federal, state and local elected officials. Complete and track municipal notifications of work involving Company departments.

- Identify new programs for funding through the Community Investment and/or Strategic Grant program and prepare recommendations for the Manager of Strategic Partnerships.

- During emergency conditions, manage the Community Response Team portion of O&Rs Emergency Response Plan; ensure the team is adequately staffed, trained and prepared for emergency deployment; upon activation of the team supervise and manage all CRT members.

- Represent the company during and after normal business hours at local community and government meetings and events. Identify opportunities for speaking engagements with business, civic and service organizations for O&R to promote its latest programs, projects, products and services.

- Develop outreach strategies for elected officials and other decision makers to promote understanding of company policies, programs, plans and decisions.

- Manage the issue identification process, which keeps management informed of pertinent local/municipal legislative activities, and recommends action required to effectively operate in a customer-oriented business.

Qualifications

Required Education/Experience

- Master's Degree preferably in Public Relations, Communications, or equivalent, and 2 years of experience in Government, Public, and or Community Relations required or

- Bachelor's Degree preferably in Public Relations, Communications, or equivalent, and 3 years of experience in Government, Public, and or Community Relations required or

- Associate's Degree preferably in Public Relations, Communications, or equivalent, and 4 years of experience in Government, Public, and or Community Relations required or

- High School Diploma/GED, 5 years of experience in Government, Public, and or Community Relations required

Relevant Work Experience

- Strong knowledge of government/community relations and demonstrate knowledge of critical issues in the O&R service territory, required.

- Must have established relationships with government/elected officials/community leaders/nonprofit organizations, required.

- Strong written, oral communications, interpersonal and presentation skills, required.

- Must be well organized and able to manage multiple tasks with strong attention to detail, required.

- Must be proficient in Microsoft office suite, (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Oracle and Share Point, required.

- Must have excellent project management, oversight, coordination and planning skills, required.

- Must be fluent in the use of social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter) as a means of communication, required.

- Must be self-directed and able to contribute individually and as a member of a team, required.

- Able and willing to travel within the O&R service territory, required.

Licenses and Certifications

- Driver's License Required

Additional Physical Demands

- The selected candidate will be assigned a System Emergency Assignment (i.e., an emergency response role) and will be expected to work non-business hours during emergencies, which may include nights, weekends, and holidays.

- Must be able and willing to travel within Company service territory, as needed.