Project Outreach Manager

This is a multi-level posting and will be filled at the appropriate level based on related education and experience. 

The Project Outreach Manager serves as a skilled and knowledgeable resource to local landowners, governments and agencies in Iowa to support all activities associated with the permitting, development, and construction of energy projects.  The manager is expected to be a resource for local government officials, rural landowners, agriculture and community organizations, and other local stakeholders as it relates to energy projects. 

The manger will develop and manage outreach plans to ensure successful and timely completion of company projects. This will include leading public meetings, stakeholder meetings, presentations, and other community events to support the company and its projects, and develop information and material to support public meetings, press releases and replies, presentations, and other project data requests.

The manager will track city, county, and state regulations as it relates to company projects and engage government officials to ensure workable laws, regulations and ordinances are in place to allow for the successful completion of energy projects.

The position will support all aspects of public interaction for the Project Development team during the development and construction of projects including but not limited to, generation additions and upgrades, electric vehicle infrastructure, energy storage, decommissioning, environmental, communications, facilities, asset acquisitions, new technology, and other projects as assigned.

Responsibilities

Engages with city, county, and state officials to ensure workable laws, ordinances, and regulations are adopted to allow for the successful completion of company projects. Represents the company in private and public meetings with landowners, government officials, and other project stakeholders, to ensure workable laws, ordinances and regulations are in place. Research and track city, county and state laws, ordinances and regulations impacting current and future company projects. 

Develop strategic public outreach communications plans and materials related to company projects to share the landowner, local and regional benefits of successful rural energy projects Develop and implement community relations improvement initiatives in key rural Iowa communities. Represents the company in public meetings, at conferences, and community events that support the company’s project development initiatives. Identifying and engaging influencers and community partners to promote the company’s project benefits and initiatives. 

Build and maintain key local government, landowner and business relationships that support the evaluation, development, construction, and operations of energy projects. Develop and provide presentations to internal and external audiences to support the company’s effort in delivering projects and promoting the company. 

Provides responses to landowner, local government agencies, and other stakeholder concerns, issues, and internal and external data requests that arise during development and construction activities.

Engage with the project development team and other company personnel to fully understand project needs, issues, and stakeholders. Plan and facilitate internal and external project team and public meetings and facility tours.

Establish measurements and metrics to assess the effectiveness of outreach initiatives. Report on metrics and make recommendations for improvement and new strategies to accomplish goals. 

Manage contractors and consultants in executing on outreach initiatives. 

Perform other project development initiatives associated with the evaluation, development and construction of project and perform any additional responsibilities as requested or assigned. 

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, agriculture, business or related field or equivalent work experience. (Typically, six additional years of related, progressive work experience would be needed for candidates applying for this position who do not possess a bachelor's degree)

At least 6 years of related experience needed for the associate project outreach manager role. 

8 years of related experience needed for the project outreach manager role. 

10 or more years of related experience for the senior project outreach manager role with two in a leadership role. 

Excellent verbal and written communication skills and presentation skills are required. 

Effective interpersonal skills and leadership abilities. 

Effective analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. 

Ability to prioritize and handle multiple issues, tasks, and projects concurrently. 

Ability to travel during and outside of normal business hours (typically 25% travel).

Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without an accommodation. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status or disability status. 

MidAmerican Energy Company, a Midwest utility, provides regulated electric and natural gas service to more than 1.6 million customers in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. The company owns and operates a portfolio of power-generating assets, approximately 61% of which is wind generation.MidAmerican Energy Company is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status (except as required by law), gender (including gender identity and expression), sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, familial or parental status, marital status or any other category protected by applicable local, state or U.S. federal law. Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without an accommodation.