External Affairs Program Manager

JOB TITLE: External Affairs Program Manager

Location: North Fort Myers, FL

Work Hours: M-F 8-5pm (varied hours)

Our benefits include:

• Company-wide annual incentive plan
• Medical, vision and dental insurance
• 401(k) plan with a generous 6% company match
• Company funded Pension Plan
• On-site wellness/medical facility
• Company paid Short & Long-Term Disability insurance
• Health Savings Account with an employer contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Wellness program with financial rewards
• Tuition reimbursement
• Group life insurance
• Critical Illness and Accident Insurance

LCEC provides reliable, cost-competitive electricity to more than 260,000 members throughout a five-county service territory located in Southwest Florida.  We employ approximately 485 skilled employees and are one of more than 900 electric distribution cooperatives located throughout the United States.  LCEC has been recognized locally and statewide as an industry leader and continually receives acknowledgment for the work that our employees do in the community along with other civic, environmental and professional honors.

Position Summary: The External Affairs Lead is responsible for developing and executing LCEC's External Affairs strategy in alignment with organizational priorities and executive leadership direction. This position serves as the cooperative's primary point of contact for government and community stakeholders, proactively identifying risks, opportunities, and external factors that may impact operations, growth, and organizational positioning.

This position manages higher-impact stakeholder relationships and represents LCEC in strategic external engagements, leads resolution of complex community and governmental challenges and provides coordinated solutions related to stakeholder risk, community sentiment, and engagement strategy. The position works collaboratively across departments and supports organizational objectives through proactive issue identification, coordination, and external representation. Working closely with Key Accounts, Operations, and Business Continuity, this role ensures alignment between day-to-day operational execution and long-term external strategy. The External Affairs Lead supports LCEC's ability to proactively navigate an evolving political and regulatory environment while maintaining strong community relationships and advancing organizational resilience.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead LCEC's government relations, legislative affairs, and external stakeholder engagement efforts, cultivating relationships with policymakers, governmental leadership, and influential community stakeholders to support organizational priorities and long-term strategic objectives.
• Manage relationships with governmental entities in their capacity as policymakers, regulators, and community decision-makers rather than as utility customers or account holders.
• Assess emerging legislative, regulatory, political, and community issues; develop engagement strategies and provide recommendations to executive leadership regarding organizational risks, opportunities, and stakeholder impacts.
• Monitor local, state, and federal legislative actions, ordinances, and policy discussions that may impact LCEC and assess potential impacts to the organization.
• Facilitate cross functional alignment to support timely resolution of government-related challenges, inquiries, or concerns. Support development of response strategies and recommendations for leadership as needed.
• Prepare and deliver information to government stakeholders related to LCEC initiatives, infrastructure projects, service issues, rate-related matters, and outage or restoration activity.
• Provide input into messaging approaches and support leadership briefings related to governmental matters. Ensure consistency of messaging with internal guidance and organizational priorities.
• Represent LCEC in high-visibility or contentious settings requiring independent judgment and discretion.
• Support coordination with government partners during emergency events or organizational activations.
• Participate in targeted community or civic activities directly related to government relationships.
• Operate independently with external stakeholders, manages multiple complex issues simultaneously, and provides frequent updates (verbally & written) and strategic recommendations to leadership.
• Maintain effective working relationships with employees and customers at all levels within LCEC. Ensure smooth operations, productive communications, and effective understanding during all interpersonal contacts. Provide current and accurate information to all requesters, courteously and in a timely manner.
• Support Storm Restoration efforts when needed. Work in emergency storm situations (i.e. hurricanes) and work long hours (>12 hours per day) for many continuous days/weeks as needed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public affairs, political science, public relations, business administration, or a related field or experience commensurate to degree. (Required) or
• Master's Degree business, marketing, energy management, or related field. (Preferred)

Experience

• 7+ Years progressively responsible experience in lobbying, government relations, public affairs, community engagement, or stakeholder relations, including engagement with local governments, community organizations, and public-sector stakeholders, and experience with public speaking and presentations. (Required)
• 5+ Years Utility, infrastructure, or regulated-industry experience. (Preferred)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills. (Required)
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective stakeholder relationships in complex environments. (Required)
• Ability to exercise judgment, manage sensitive issues, and coordinate across departments. (Required)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). (Required)
• Knowledge of the local service area and community environment. (Preferred)

Licenses

• Valid driver's license upon hire (Required)

Physical Demands and Working Environment: The physical demands and working environment characteristics described here must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical Demands: Standing Occasionally,
  Walking Occasionally,
  Sitting Constantly,
  Lifting Rarely,
  Carrying Rarely,
  Pushing Rarely,
  Pulling Rarely,
  Climbing Rarely,
  Balancing Rarely,
  Stooping Rarely,
  Kneeling Rarely,
  Crouching Rarely,
  Crawling Rarely,
  Reaching Rarely,
  Handling Occasionally,
  Grasping Occasionally,
  Feeling Rarely,
  Talking Constantly,
  Hearing Constantly,
  Repetitive Motions Frequently,
  Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination Frequently,

• Working Environment: Frequently Air-conditioned office environment, Rarely Extreme cold, Rarely Extreme heat, Rarely Humidity, Rarely Wet, Occasionally Noise, Rarely Hazards, Rarely Temperature Change, Rarely Atmospheric Conditions, Rarely Vibration.

STORM DUTY REQUIREMENTS.... Responding to storms may be considered a condition of employment: LCEC provides critical services to our community during an emergency.  Employees may be required to participate in the response/recovery activities related to emergencies/disasters to maintain service to our LCEC members. Employees are required to work in their normal job duties or other assigned activities.  Proper compensation will be made in accordance with the company's guidelines and procedures.

Please note that at the time a candidate is made a job offer, the candidate will be subject to a background check and a drug screening.