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The Lead Associate, Stakeholder Relations supports the development and execution of AES’ regional stakeholder engagement strategy and its national strategy for energy campuses and powered land under the leadership of the Sr. Manager – Central Region. The role leads engagement for an assigned portfolio of renewable energy projects across MISO, SPP and ERCOT and supports a national portfolio of multi-technology energy campuses and powered land opportunities, from site screening and diligence through development, permitting, construction and operations. At AES, Lead Associates lead complex project engagement strategies with a high degree of independence, with the guidance of their leader and in close collaboration with project teams and External Affairs colleagues. The Lead Associate brings direct energy industry experience and serves as a subject-matter resource on local engagement, social risk mitigation, strategic partnerships and advocacy, helping to implement and improve the frameworks, tools and best practices that allow AES to engage consistently and responsibly across markets. As a key representative of AES, the role builds trust with host communities and helps secure and maintain the company’s social license to operate. The breadth of engagement extends beyond local communities to landowners, Tribal Nations, customer counterparts, utilities, local and state governments, economic development organizations, labor unions, nonprofits, EPC partners, industry associations, chambers of commerce and local news media, among others. The successful candidate has a proven track record of leading engagement on complex, high-visibility energy projects, including experience with community benefit agreements and economic development and incentive processes, as well as cultivating innovative, responsive and meaningful partnerships in service of local communities and responsible infrastructure development.
Job Functions National Energy Campus and Powered Land Strategy
- Support the Sr. Manager, Stakeholder Relations – Central Region in developing and implementing AES’ national stakeholder engagement strategy for energy campuses and powered land.
- Conduct stakeholder and community diligence for prospective projects, sites and acquisitions by assessing community sentiment, local land use and zoning landscapes, and near- and long-term risks to inform site selection and project decisions.
- Monitor national and state trends, relevant policy developments, and public sentiment related to renewable energy, data centers, large-load development and energy infrastructure; synthesize insights, and share lessons learned and best practices across relevant teams.
Project Engagement Strategy and Execution
- Develop and maintain strategic engagement plans, community and risk assessments, and local communication strategies for assigned projects, with the guidance of the Sr. Manager and in collaboration with project teams.
- Support engagement across prospecting, M&A due diligence, early planning, development, permitting, construction and execution, maintaining continuity through operations.
- Align engagement with project milestones, permitting and construction schedules, and customer timelines, adapting strategies as project scope and configuration evolve.
- Mobilize coalitions of individuals and organizations to demonstrate support for the industry and AES’ projects and to secure favorable outcomes.
Cross-Functional, Customer and Partner Collaboration
- Build cross-functional alignment with internal teams as projects progress through the development process, through construction and into operations.
- In collaboration with the Sr. Manager, coordinate with customer counterparts, development partners and utilities on engagement strategy, siting considerations, confidentiality requirements and stakeholder expectations.
- Translate community insight into feasible engagement strategies and clear recommendations for project teams and leadership.
Local Policy, Economic Development and Inclusive Participation
- Maintain an informed understanding of state, county, municipal and local political landscapes in assigned markets, in coordination with AES’ Government Relations team.
- Build professional, nonpartisan relationships with elected officials and staff, regulators, economic development organizations, trade and business groups, and community and educational institutions; monitor local proceedings; and support public hearings and zoning and land use approvals.
- Support the strategy for tax and other economic incentive structures relevant to energy and large-load infrastructure; support the negotiation and approval of incentives and development agreements in collaboration with internal teams, consultants and partners.
- Engage broad and diverse audiences through respectful, culturally competent consultation, including underrepresented communities; conduct Indigenous and Tribal engagement where applicable, consistent with the AES Voluntary Tribal Engagement Policy.
- Build constructive relationships with labor unions and building trades on workforce, local hiring and project labor priorities, in coordination with Execution and Government Relations.
- Maintain accessible inquiry and notification channels; listen to and document feedback; respond in a timely manner; work with project teams to resolve concerns; escalate unresolved issues appropriately; and communicate outcomes.
- Uphold standards and relevant contractual requirements for engagement and communication across the project lifecycle, with a particular focus on construction and operations.
Community Benefit Agreements and Social Impact Partnerships
- Support the design, negotiation and implementation of community benefit agreements and other benefit structures for assigned projects under the direction of the Sr. Manager, in partnership with the Social Impact team and in adherence to program and compliance requirements.
- Ensure partnerships are ethical and that long-term benefits serve community priorities and responsible development, never as an exchange for public support or approvals.
- Implement commitments, track accountability and outcomes, and report progress in accordance with internal and external reporting requirements.
- Cultivate innovative, responsive partnerships through the AES Social Impact Program; coordinate philanthropy, outreach and employee volunteer activities that align with company and community priorities.
Stakeholder Intelligence, Risk and Accountability
- Maintain accurate stakeholder lists, interaction records, feedback, commitments and engagement reports in designated CRM tools.
- Research and analyze local sentiment, social and traditional media, and emerging political or community issues; lead stakeholder risk assessments and contribute to executive-facing risk reporting for the campus and powered land portfolio.
- Build and manage engagement budgets for assigned projects within approved processes, under the leadership of the Sr. Manager, and oversee consultants or agencies as needed.
Communications, Media and Events
- Partner with Communications to develop clear, locally tailored, multichannel project information, including materials that explain energy campus and large-load development in accessible terms, as well as talking points, presentations and public displays.
- Cultivate relationships with local media; serve as an approved project spokesperson; and support issue and crisis communications with the responsible teams.
- Plan and deliver public meetings, open houses, community events, virtual engagement sessions, ribbon cuttings and site visits; represent AES at community events and conferences, as well as in business and government settings.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Demonstrates AES values: Safety First, Highest Standards, and All Together.
- Complies with all policies and standards.
Qualifications
Education
- Required: Bachelor’s degree in community engagement, advocacy, public relations, public affairs, environmental studies, communications, political science, local government or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
- Preferred: Advanced degree in Public Relations, Communications, Public Policy, Business Administration or a related field.
Work Experience
- Required: 5+ years of related experience in stakeholder engagement, community or public affairs, or a similar field.
- Required: Minimum of 3 years of direct experience in the energy industry supporting the development, permitting, construction or operation of generation, storage, transmission or large-load infrastructure projects.
- Required: Demonstrated experience leading advocacy and engagement with diverse communities of all sizes, from small and rural communities to urban centers.
- Required: Familiarity with applicable government and regulatory requirements, permitting and land use processes, present-day issues and community dynamics.
- Preferred: Experience with data center, energy campus, industrial or other large-load development, site selection or economic development.
- Preferred: Experience negotiating community benefit, host community or economic development agreements.
- Preferred: Knowledge of the political and community landscape in Texas and other central U.S. markets.
Working Environment Work occurs indoors and outdoors, including in offices, remote or home offices, community centers, public meeting venues, project communities, and active construction and operating energy sites. Fieldwork may involve exposure to weather extremes, dust, noise and site hazards, mitigated by required PPE and AES safety protocols.
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- Frequently: Office / remote office.
- Frequently: Community and public venues.
- Occasionally to frequently: Outdoor / field and project sites.
- Occasionally: Active construction or operating sites (PPE required).
- Occasionally: Outdoor weather extremes.
- Occasionally: Noise, dust and uneven terrain.
Additional Job Requirements
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- Anticipated travel of up to 50% nationally, with an emphasis on the central United States, including overnight stays.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, for public meetings, hearings and community events.
- Availability to respond to urgent stakeholder issues, incidents or media inquiries outside normal business hours.
- Must reside in the central United States. This role may be based in AES’ Houston, TX office or performed remotely from within the central U.S., with reasonable access to a major airport.
- Valid driver’s license and ability to meet AES driving and fleet policy requirements.
- Ability to successfully complete a background check and any pre-employment requirements.
- Compliance with all AES safety requirements, including PPE, during site visits.
- Compliance with applicable lobbying, gift, and political activity laws and AES policies, including registration where required.
Job descriptions are not intended to be all-inclusive; duties may change based on business needs.
AES is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed to building strength and delivering long-term sustainability through diversity and inclusion. Respecting all backgrounds, differences and perspectives enables us to improve the lives of our people, customers, suppliers, contractors, and the communities in which we live and work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or expression, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. E-Verify Notice: AES will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.