Representative, Local Government and Community Affairs

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Representative, Local Government and Community Affairs, is a key position within the Policy, Government and Public Affairs department that is responsible for designing, developing and executing strategies that drive the Company’s government and public affairs engagement in southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas near the Sabine Pass Liquefaction facility (SPL). 

This position reports to the Director, Local Government and Community Affairs and provides a wide range of support to the State and Local Government Affairs team. The role serves as one of the company’s community representatives with stakeholders, including elected officials, agency representatives, non-governmental organizations, non-profit entities, industry associations for the company’s local operations, and other members of the community. This individual is required to develop and maintain relationships and work successfully with these key stakeholders. 

The individual will be required to analyze known and potential social risks and develop strategies and actions to mitigate those risks including recommendations for social investments. 

KNOWLEDGE

• Understands key elements of the natural gas industry and operations and how to effectively engage with key stakeholders, internal and external. 
• Has the ability to quickly gain working knowledge of social risk and how company operations may impact communities. Has the knowledge and expertise to identify social and political risks, create a strategy for engagement and mitigation actions, and develop social investment strategies. 
• Possesses basic knowledge of state and local government structures and processes in Texas and Louisiana.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Builds and maintains positive relationships with key external stakeholders, including public, government, community leaders, environmental organizations, business and industry groups and other organizations whose work and missions impact the business and operations of Cheniere. 
• Works closely with internal stakeholders including construction and operations teams to understand operational challenges, proactively identifying issues including potential legislative or regulatory changes and or impacts to the community.  Once identified, participates in developing strategies to address issues including proactive collaboration with industry groups/associations. 
• Under the direction of leadership, implements local stakeholder engagement plans to positively impact relationships with local key constituencies and audiences.  Maintains the SPL stakeholder engagement plan.
• Identifies and analyzes social risks to help mitigate operational risks from a social perspective and better inform our investment strategy.  Maintains the SPL social risk register.   
• Facilitates and leads necessary communications with local elected officials, business groups, residents, and other local stakeholder groups, including giving prepared remarks, participating in local stakeholder forums, and speaking about Cheniere activities in a public setting to inform and engage stakeholders about the Company’s projects and impacts.
• Prepares well-written, concise briefings and summaries related to local issues management and stakeholder engagement.
• Works closely with Site Management, Corporate Giving, Communications, and various business units     across the company to align needs of internal and external stakeholders and company goals.
• Participates in local business and community events to promote awareness and the importance of Cheniere’s role in the community. 
• Identifies local stakeholder outreach opportunities for the SPL senior leadership and facilitates the outreach opportunities.
• Accountable for coordinating local community giving activities, including event planning, volunteer recruitment and working within budget.
• Ensure all community giving activities are conducted to the highest standards and adhere to all company policies and compliance requirements.
• Performs other job-related duties as requested.

 QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS)

• Education and Certifications: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of work experience. 
• Experience:  Five (5) or more years of progressive experience in positions related to energy, LNG, community or public relations, operations, engineering, strategic communications and/or government affairs. 
• Skills:
  • Strong leadership and organizational abilities are required.
  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively at all levels of an organization and with individuals and groups from different disciplines, industries, and organizations.
  • Flexible working attitude and able to be effective when faced with adhoc tasks.
  • Organized and able to manage multiple activities and programs in a dynamic environment and with a high degree of accuracy. 
  • Self-starter that can succeed with little instruction on day-to-day activities after initial onboarding period. 
  • Ability to speak in public, able to create and deliver audience-specific presentations. 
  • Must possess innovation, mature judgment and be able to share information and work collaboratively with a multi-disciplinary team. 
  • Willingness to learn about the local and state political processes in southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas. 
  • Ability to represent the company in a professional manner.

DIRECT REPORTS

None

FREEDOM TO ACT

Ability to work autonomously; must exercise discretion independently. Individual will have professional discretion and will seek direction from senior management as required. 

WORK CONDITIONS

• Job is performed in a typical office environment, but is subject to time pressures and constraints, and is often dependent on input from others. 
• Frequent work responsibilities occur in the evenings and weekends. 
• Frequent local travel during work hours will be required (>50%).
• Often exposed to stressful situations.
• Subject to drug and alcohol testing, per applicable federal regulations. 

ADA JOB REQUIREMENTS

Reasonable accommodations will be made to ensure that the essential functions of the job can be performed and not hinder the employee's performance due to physical, mental, or emotional disability.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Cheniere Energy is an equal opportunity workplace. All employment decisions are made without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected categories. This includes providing reasonable accommodation if requested for disabilities or religious beliefs and practices.