Job Description

Requisition ID: 108505 

 

Share Our Purpose. Be Yourself. Feel Valued.  

 

People are the heart of our business. As an American Water employee, you will be offered a competitive salary and health benefits package, along with opportunities to develop, grow, and evolve your career. Our benefits packages focus on key areas such as health & wellness, emotional & well-being, and savings for current & future goals.

 

We are Beautifully Different . We strongly believe having diversity across our company makes us more successful and helps us provide essential services to our customers. We are stronger because we embrace different ideas, viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds. American Water is the best choice for your next role! Click here for more information on our inclusion, diversity, and equity journey.

 

About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people across 14 regulated jurisdictions and 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

As one of the fastest growing utilities in the U.S., American Water expects to invest $40 to $42 billion in infrastructure repairs and replacement, system resiliency and regulated acquisitions over the next 10 years. The company has a long-standing history of executing its core operations, aligned with sustainable best practices, through its commitments to safety, affordability, customer service, protecting the environment, an inclusive workforce and strengthening communities.

American Water has been recognized on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for the fifth consecutive year, ranked 18th on Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies 2023 List, earned the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act designation and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense® Excellence Award, among additional state, local and national recognitions.

For more information, visit  amwater.com and join American Water on  LinkedIn ,  Facebook ,  Twitter and  Instagram .

 

 

 

Primary Role

Directs the state and local government affairs program and the development of new business opportunities for one of American Water’s state subsidiaries, including the development and implementation of recommended strategies and tactics for advancing the company’s priorities, protecting its business interests and enhancing its reputation. This will also include oversight and management of resources responsible for contacting municipal and privately-owned water and wastewater operations to discuss acquisition, negotiate sales for resale contracts and other related business opportunities. Provides counsel to the state president and leadership team on matters affecting policy, politics, and key relationships. This role is the senior government relations professional responsible for overseeing, coordinating, and/or directly establishing, nurturing and maintaining relationships with elected and appointed individuals at the state and local levels of government. Directs the strategy and implementation of external affairs initiatives to support community engagement and customer education. Works with the state president and his/her leadership team to effectively communicate with elected officials and key stakeholders and to position the company as a trusted partner and expert resource. Ensures issues are addressed quickly and appropriately, and that every effort to maintain external relationships is made. This role reports directly to the State President and matrix to VP, Chief Growth Officer and VP, Chief Legislative & External Affairs.

Key Accountabilities

• Oversee the lead state lobbyist, responsible for advancing, amending, and/or stopping legislation that impacts the company and water/wastewater industry. Provide guidance related to messaging and strategic communication regarding legislative issues. Hire and manage contract lobbyists to support the company’s legislative efforts.
• Manage the government affairs priorities with the contract lobby team to build and leverage political relationships, advocate the company’s position, testify on the company’s behalf, track legislation, and provide political guidance to the company.
• Directly oversee local government affairs efforts, including members of the Government Affairs team, whose primary responsibilities include building and maintaining relationships with elected officials and key stakeholders
• Manage the company’s strategic communications efforts in supporting the Manager of External Affairs and major account engagement in supporting the lead major accounts position. 
• Supports federal government affairs efforts by working with the state president and vice president of Communication and Federal Government Affairs to build and leverage relationships with the state’s Congressional delegation and relevant federal agencies and officials. Keeps district offices apprised of relevant projects and opportunities to support the company’s investments in the state.
• Engage with a variety of external stakeholders to build strategic relationships and coalitions to support the company’s legislative initiatives.
• Actively participates in suitable business, industry, civic, and community organizations, including involvement on various boards and committees. Supports the state president’s involvement in external organizations as appropriate.
• Attend various business and industry conferences to develop expertise and build relationships with elected officials, regulators, staff, and other key stakeholders.
• Works with the Vice President, Regulatory Affairs to leverage sponsorship and engagement opportunities at the corporate level.
• Manage all fundraising efforts for the company’s state Political Action Committee, including development of sponsorship levels and benefits for employees and stakeholders.

Key Accountabilities Cont'd

• Develop annual budget and contribution recommendations for the PAC board and is responsible for dispersing checks and representing the company at various campaign events. 
• Coordinate with EVP, Communications & External Affairs to align company communications. 
• Work with legal and finance departments to ensure all election laws, regulations, and reporting requirements are met. The PAC responsibility may be led by other functions.
• Works across department functions to provide guidance on the political implications of various actions and relationships, including regulatory affairs, legal, business development, external affairs, and major accounts.
• Direct preparation of informational material, studies and conclusions regarding potential business development opportunities as well as proposals for acquisitions, operations and management contracts and other related business opportunities.
• Lead team members individually responsible for Business Development and Government /External Affairs.

Knowledge/Skills

• Strong leadership ability and strategic planning skills
• Detail oriented to conduct thorough analysis and evaluations, render and implement timely decisions and recommendations
• Project and Program Management skills, Quantitative skills (analytical, technical, problem solving).
• Effective people management (planning, organizing, recruiting, supervising, coaching, developing, and leading individual staff and teams)
• Strong written and verbal communications and keen listening ability (fluency in report writing and presentations).
• Interpersonal Skills (persuasion, negotiation, listening, collaboration, tact, diplomacy, problem solving, internal consulting).
• Leadership presence: ability to engage and communicate effectively and maintain cooperative and collaborative working relationships with senior management and other key stakeholders).
• Must possess an excellent working knowledge of the legislative process at all levels of government, including a thorough understanding of the structural and political dynamics impacting key players and the company’s advocacy efforts. If applicable, has a thorough understanding of PAC and election laws, and a knowledge of the various reporting requirements if applicable.
• Demonstrated ability to testify before and effectively lobby legislative audiences, including the capacity to gauge when and how to utilize senior management and issue experts.
• Must be able to access information and quickly gain knowledge of issues in the business and political arenas that may impact the company.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budget resources efficiently in order to maximize benefits to company.
• Able to manage/coach people to develop potential and build capabilities.Must possess knowledge and practical experience of effective external communications to build brand recognition and reputation.   

Experience/Education

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, government, journalism, communications, public relations or related field preferred, or demonstrated experienced commensurate with the requirements of the position.
• Total work experience of around 15 years with around 7 years in government relations, external affairs or lobbying, preferably within the utility sector.

Scope

This is a senior people leader position with direct reports who are experienced individual contributors in diverse areas of expertise.

Travel Requirements

25% within the state and in the United States

Competencies

Prioritizes & Role Models Safety

Self-Awareness

Develops Talent

Plans, Aligns, & Directs

Drives Engagement

Decision Quality

 

 

Join American Water... We Keep Life Flowing ™

 

American Water is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based on his or her age, race, color, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, citizenship, or because they are an individual with a disability, protected veteran or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws.

Job Tags

Contract work, Work experience placement, Local area,

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