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.
Responsibilities
Core Responsibilities
- 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, updating the Blackbaud grant making software and securing publicity for the grants.
- 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.
- Actively participate on committees and boards of business and service related not-for-profit organizations in the communities we serve.
- 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.
- Perform other related tasks and assignments as required.
- Develop and administer community outreach plans for company projects.
- 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.
- Assist in all local lobbying efforts that are strategic to the Company.
- Develop outreach strategies for elected officials and other decision makers to promote understanding of company policies, programs, plans and decisions.
- Identify opportunities for speaking engagements with business, civic and service organizations for O&R to promote its latest programs, projects, products and services.
- Identify new programs for funding through the Community Investment and/or Strategic Grant program and prepare recommendations for the Manager of Strategic Partnerships.
- Perform Regional & Community Affairs standby duty.
- Perform other related tasks and assignments as required.
Qualifications
Required Education/Experience
- Bachelor's Degree preferably in Communications, Public Relations or equivalent. and 5 years of experience in Government, Public and or Community Relations, Communications or Customer Service preferred.
Relevant Work Experience
- Strong knowledge of government/community relations and demonstrate knowledge of critical issues in the O&R service territory, required.
- Strong written, oral communications, interpersonal and presentation skills required.
- Well organized and able to manage multiple tasks with strong attention to detail, required.
- Proficient in Microsoft office suite, (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Oracle and Share Point, required.
- Excellent project management, oversight, coordination and planning skills, required.
- Fluent in the use of social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter) as a means of communication, required.
- 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.
- Previous Experience with the O&R customer base or New Jersey State Legislature is a plus, preferred.
Licenses and Certifications
- Driver's License Required
Additional Physical Demands
- Must be able to respond to Company emergencies by performing a System Emergency Assignment to restore service to our customers.
- Must be able and willing to travel within Company service territory, as needed.
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