Public Affairs Communications Manager

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) is a leading energy provider and Fortune 500 company, dedicated to serving millions of electricity and natural gas customers across eight states: Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and Texas. We make energy work better for our customers, helping them thrive every day. That means always raising the bar - delivering better service and providing more reliable, resilient, and sustainable energy. Xcel Energy is a place where you’ll have opportunities to grow, expand your skills, and help lead the clean energy transition. We offer meaningful rewards, recognition, and support to help you build your career and make an impact - both on the job and beyond. Most importantly, it means you’ll be joining a company that knows employees are the driving force behind its success and is committed to helping you be your best. Xcel Energy supports a hybrid work model to enable collaboration and flexibility. Many roles are expected to work onsite three days per week (Tuesday–Thursday); however, work location expectations vary based on role, team, and business needs.
Our culture is grounded in shared values and employee commitments that guide how we work, support one another, and grow together. Our Values Connected, Committed, Trustworthy, Safe.
Xcel Energy provides job applicants reasonable accommodations for disabilities throughout the application process.
At Xcel Energy, we’re more than an energy company. We’re reinventing how we power communities. Redefining how we care for customers. Reaffirming our commitment to the planet. We’re committed to leading with equity and inclusion. You’re not waiting for change – you’re creating it. You’re driven to protect the environment, support your community, and seek innovation. You want a career that grows with you and an employer who values you. You are reliable, trustworthy and bring integrity to everything you do. We are leading the way in clean energy. We’re using technology and innovation in every facet of our company. We’re providing safe, stable jobs with robust benefits. We keep our customers at the center of all we do. We’re committed to hiring a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can provide carbon-free electricity by 2050. Together, we can take care of the environment and our communities. Together, we can create a place where everyone belongs. Together we’re building a better tomorrow.
Position Summary This position is responsible for providing strategic public affairs and communications direction, counsel and support to executive leadership and business units, and individual project teams and management. Along with individual project participants, this position will: lead the development of public affairs and communications strategies to promote the success of Operations business areas. Lead multi-utility teams in the development of plans to build relationships and conduct effective communications with media, governmental units, tribal nations, city, county and township organizations, the public and affected landowners, and other stakeholders as identified in project areas (e.g., local business community, neighborhood organizations and others); manage communications in support of the collaborative planning effort; and serve as liaison between project management and legislative, regulatory and technical project areas. This role is based in Denver and will support Xcel Energy Transmission capital projects for our Colorado and Texas/New Mexico service territories. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience supporting major infrastructure projects requiring public outreach, including education and engagement, serving as public spokesperson, and managing public affairs consultants. This role requires strong interpersonal and organizational skills, working with internal and external stakeholders, and will involve travel across our service territory.
Essential Responsibilities Public affairs strategic direction, counsel and support: Works with executive staff and project teams to identify critical issues that may impede or enhance the success of Operations projects and develops strategic plans to effectively address such issues. Establishes and manages system to monitor related developments in the utility and related industries and brings current knowledge and best practices to the organization. May include leadership of one or more staff responsible for managing interface with critical local, state or federal officials and agencies that have significant influence on business area projects (e.g. city councils, legislators, government agencies, etc.).
Strategic communications: Develops and implements communication strategies, key messages, presentations and public events to enhance the public perception of the Company. Provides communications guidance, support and counsel on legislative and regulatory relations. Leads communication team and coordinates communications strategies with project management, community relations, regulatory and project permitting/routing leads on relevant projects. Manage major project websites, social media tools and video opportunities to expand the visibility of the company's transmission work.
Media liaison: In collaboration with the media relations team, directs the development and implementation of media relations programs to ensure the Company and business area vision is clearly understood by the public and to provide accurate information regarding Operations projects.
Management: Oversees the work of external communications/public affairs consultants. Develops departmental priorities and goals in support of project and corporate goals. Develops and delivers strategy and status reports to utility executives and to project development managers, as applicable.
Minimum Requirements Bachelor's degree in journalism or communications, public affairs, political science, business or related field required.
Master's degree in public policy, communications, political science, or related field preferred.
Minimum of ten years of experience required in the areas of public affairs, communications, government and community relations.
Experience in regulatory area desirable.
Non-Bargaining The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $112,200.00 to $159,400.00 per year.
Benefits Annual Incentive Program
Medical/Pharmacy Plan
Dental
Vision
Life Insurance
Dependent Care Reimbursement Account
Health Care Reimbursement Account
Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan)
Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA)
Transportation Reimbursement Account
Short-term disability (STD)Long-term disability (LTD)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan)
Tuition reimbursement
Transit programs
Employee recognition program
Pension
401(k) plan
Paid time off (PTO)
Holidays
Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO)
Parental Leave
Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.
In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
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