Community and Project Outreach Specialist

The Community & Project Outreach Specialist is responsible for serving as the primary face of Williams and central contact point for local outreach and engagement efforts. This is a highly collaborative position and will interact with operations personnel and internal business partners in addition to community leaders and organizations. The ability to guide the application of local/public outreach efforts, communication strategies, project management and change forward culture are keys to success.

Responsibilities/Expectations:

• Provides strategic direction for outreach and engagement activities; develops strategic plans to build and enhance our credibility and trust with local public officials and communities
• Reviews public landscape including market statistics, key civil and political players, and communications trends
• Supports business leaders in preparation to represent the company at public and trade association meetings; prepares and researches for presentations to local municipalities, non-governmental organizations, and special interest groups
• Identifies emerging issues and develops risk mitigation strategies
• Identifies outsourcing or consulting needs; handles third party firms that are hired to assist in local outreach or engagement activities
• Works with others to ensure project statuses are communicated to business partners; cultivates relationships with key business partners
• Assists with the generation of FERC regulatory deliverables; acquires knowledge of FERC pre-filing and filing requirements for outreach
• Analyzes the efficiency and effectiveness of outreach activities and interventions, and provides recommendations for improvement
• Other duties as assigned

Education/Years of Experience:

• Required: Bachelor's degree in public Affairs, Communications, or Political Science; a minimum of eight (8) years of experience in Public Relations, Corporate Communications, Government Affairs, Project Management
• Preferred: Master's degree in public relations; a minimum of ten (10) years of experience in Public Relations, Corporate Communications, Government Affairs, Project Management

Other Requirements:

• Demonstrates excellent interpersonal/organizational skills and safety as the utmost priority
• Proficiency in Microsoft Applications and PC skills
• Ability to learn quickly and balance multiple projects
• Proficient knowledge of state and federal regulatory regulations and requirements groups
• Preferred: Settles differences with minimal disruption and can compromise without damaging relationships
• Travel up to 50%
• Preferred: Solid understanding of energy industry
• Preferred: Ability to describe sophisticated concepts in non-technical terms