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At National Grid, our commitment to a cleaner, greener energy future is powered by the dedication and ingenuity of our people. Join our team as a Director, State Government Relations and be a part of something bigger-where your unique skills and passions can make a real difference. Together, we are superpowered!

National Grid is hiring a Director of State Government Relations in New York to lead the company's statewide government relations activities for both National Grid, the company's regulated business that operates three utility distribution franchises in New York and National Grid Ventures, the company's non-regulated business that it develops, operates and invests in energy projects, technologies and partnerships to accelerate the development of a clean energy future. The position will be located in our Executive office in Albany, NY.

The purpose of Corporate Affairs is to protect, promote and enhance the company's reputation in the UK and our US territories that National Grid needs to succeed in the short and long term, and to advance the company's priorities. The Corporate Affairs function champions our company's interests and defends and lifts the National Grid brand and reputation by embracing and simplifying complex messages and environments, cultivating strong relationships with stakeholders, and proactively managing governmental, stakeholder and regulatory environments and community interactions.

We are resilient, strategic, collaborative, creative, connected, global and visionary. We are committed to positively contributing to our communities and advocating for policies and outcomes that support National Grid, our customers, our employees and our partners.

The Director of State Government Relations oversees the State government relations team based in Albany, and engages with the Executive Branch, Legislature, and State agencies, while collaborating with the company's federal government relations team based in Washington, D.C. and local government relations/community engagement professionals embedded regionally in the five (5) regions across New York State where the company maintains a significant presence - Western NY (Buffalo), Central NY (Syracuse), Eastern NY (Capital Region), City of New York, and Long Island. This position also oversees coordination with company's outside lobbying resources, is responsible for compliance with all local and state regulations governing lobbying in New York State.

* Oversees the development and maintenance of key relationships at the state and local level on behalf of National Grid's regulated business, and National Grid's unregulated affiliate, National Grid Ventures.
* Manages and directs and Albany-based team and outside consultants to advance business priorities.
* Designs and implements an annual political contribution plan targeting key state and local officials for the company's affiliated Political Action Committee.
* Represent the company with elected officials, government agencies, and partners with the company's Regional Directors of External Affairs at community events, not-for-profit events, and conferences where key governmental stakeholders are present.
* Attends or coordinates with staff to attend fundraisers to build and deepen relationships with public officials and their staff.
* Develops and executes targeted engagement plans to support business priorities that intersect with government.
* Map existing stakeholder relationships and identify opportunities.
* Promote key campaign strategies, policies, and community initiatives to promote and defend National Grid interests.
* Communicate, lobby for, and manage strategic energy and environmental objectives throughout New York State.
* Address constituent issues timely.
* Establish National Grid as a leader in energy transition, and a thought leader to communities and customers. Share knowledge and develop technical understanding for the utility of the future.
* Drive awareness of initiatives, programs and events designed to improve brand affinity and perception of National Grid.
* Manage GridPAC NY, the company's state specific Political Action Committee. Collaborate with GridPAC, the company's federal PAC.
* Provide technical guidance, support and coaching to Communities and customers so as to
establish National Grid as a leader in energy technology, and to share knowledge and develop technical understanding for future utility technologies, e.g. Integrated Energy Planning, renewables, reliability and affordability issues, etc.
* Play critical support role to the Corporate Affairs leadership team on discrete projects.
* Provides critical support for outage restoration communication with civic and governmental stakeholders.
* Coordinate with the New York Communications team on media and public relations matters and opportunities. Plan and execute communications and engagement programs to advance the mission and enhance market visibility and messaging, and to promote the Company's community investments.
* Manage departmental budget.
* Collaborate with the Company's Economic Development team to maximize e company's economic development grant programs, aligning to company priorities.
* Emergency Operating Centers as per the Emergency Response Plan.
* Be available for storm duty and other community engagement events as necessary.

* BA/BS degree is required. A law degree, MBA in Public Policy, or equivalent graduate level degree is strongly preferred.
* The successful candidate must have 12+ years' experience as state or local government affairs executive or senior level position in state or local government department or agency.
* Deep functional experience in government and public affairs, with proven relationships and coalition building skills, is essential.
* The individual must be capable of understanding the substantive policy issues of the utility industry and must have an appreciation and sensitivity to working within the context of a multifaceted global organization.
* Capable of creating and communicating a vision, both internally and externally, of the future of the company and its differentiation versus peers.
* A strong working knowledge of state and local regulatory, legislative and franchising processes.
* An ability to plan and execute public affairs activities including events involving public officials and develop budgets and oversee their execution.
* Experience developing and executing complex political strategies.
* Demonstrated success in lobbying activity.
* Experience interacting with senior executives internally and externally.
* Substantive experience in build strong partnerships with stakeholders.
* Must possess strong management skills, excellent verbal, and written communication skills along with the ability to write reports and develop presentations for senior management as required.
* Experience in crisis or external emergency management a plus.
* Must possess exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to provide positive influence in customer and community matters, as well as facilitate the resolution of internal and external issues/conflicts.
* Understanding of the environment and key external industry and non-industry stakeholders which relate to and have an impact on the utilities sector (governmental, regulatory, communities, agencies, industry bodies).
* Significant pre-existing network in New York State government at all levels, including those with the company's key stakeholders. Ability to scale relationships to non-traditional stakeholders.
* Exceptional networking skills, including the ability to influence and negotiate with a range of external stakeholders (individuals, agencies and groups).
* Energy utility experienced preferred.

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