Power - External Affairs Manager

The City of Idaho Falls Power/Fiber is looking for an External Affairs Manager. In this position you will work to communicate with and build strategic relationships with key accounts/customer groups, community organizations, business partners and other governmental partnership organizations.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the supervision of the General Manager but also in close coordination with the rest of the senior management team.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

No direct employee supervision but will be tasked to provide guidance, planning and oversight of general utility staff brought in to support the External Affairs Manager on engagement activities as needed.

Required to work professionally and effectively with limited daily supervision and broad autonomy throughout the community to engage and find opportunities to better serve customers and meet their expectations.

Engages with the community and customers at various community events, community service organizations and all other potential organizations where customers are present.

Engage with local media in coordination with the city PIO officer and Community Relations Coordinator to facilitate media events that promote utility products and services, update online and maintain social media, update and refresh webpage on a regular basis.

Responsible for the creation and review of press releases and other customer facing information to ensure all publications are accurate, well written and meet the stated objectives. Collaborates with the City’s PIO’s as needed on press releases and media interactions.

Monitors state and federal legislative items that might impact the utility while working closely with our policy advocacy partners including Idaho Consumer Owned Utilities Association, Public Power Council, Northwest Public Power Association, Northwest River Partners among others.

Monitors and identifies state and federal grant opportunities. Works closely with Department of Energy and other industry partners on potential collaborative research or demonstration projects. Provides oversight while working closely with the CFO on grant compliance and eligibility requirements. Provides leadership role and direction in grant applications while working across the utility with the various subject matter experts to put together a competitive grant application.

Pursues and analyzes potential sponsorship opportunities based upon fit with mission, strategy and budget. Ensures sponsorship opportunities are done in compliance with related city sponsorship policies.

Collaborates within the leadership team for the development, promotion and customer adoption of utility products and services including but not limited to energy efficiency, energy efficiency rebate programs and loan programs, EV chargers, clean energy products/renewable energy, security lighting, surge protection, demand response programs, net-metering products and services.

Works with Fiber team and General Manager on customer growth and acquisition related to the Idaho Falls Fiber Network. This includes working closely with the team to develop and implement the marketing strategy to engage current and potential new residential and commercial customers on the network. Works closely with the General Manager and the rest of the customer support team on marketing events and staffing. Works with fiber network providers (ISP’s) on cross promotional opportunities and marketing opportunities.

Works with and provides guidance to the Community Relations Coordinator for event planning and scheduling support for engagement events including the ICUA Youth Rally and local scholarship programs. Responsible for planning and execution of events to ensure they conform to strategic goals and marketing plan.

Works closely with marketing agencies, contracted graphic designers and promotional product vendors to develop marketings materials that are effective in cohesive support of brand development and sales channel support.

Actively uses social media to raise awareness of programs, products and services in support of objectives.

Keeps current on communications, marketing, public relations, and customer education developments through participation in periodic training seminars, meetings, literature, and other related activities.

Works safely in collaboratively with the rest of the Idaho Falls Power and Fiber team in support of utilities mission and values.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

1. Education and Experience:

A. An bachelors degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Policy, Business Administration or associated field;

AND

B. Eight (8) years’ of progressive experience in marketing and sales.

OR

C. An equivalent combination of education and experience.

2. Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Working knowledge of marketing, sales and modern business practices. Considerable knowledge of effective customer engagement, public relations, marketing, brand management, communications, consumer education methods and procedures. Strong interpersonal communication skills. Use of personal computers and software applications including Microsoft Office suite, Publisher, social media and other associated applications related to the position.

Skill in the art of diplomacy and creative problem solving. Ability to carry on an effective conversation with customers and resolve conflict and/or complex issues in a timely manner. Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationship with supervisors, fellow employees, and the public. Skill in communicating effectively, verbally and in writing. Personable, professional, respectful and engaging in public presentations of products and services. Self-starter that is accountable to business outcomes and execution of utilities strategic plan and mission.

3. Special Qualifications:

Required to work a flexible schedule for events that include after normal business hours and on weekends including period travel.

Incumbent of the position performs in a typical office setting with appropriate climate controls with periodic field work subjected to variable weather. Tasks involve a variety of physical activities, involving minimal muscular strain, related to walking, standing, stooping, sitting, climbing, lifting carrying up to 30lbs and reaching. Essential functions require talking, hearing and seeing. Common eye, hand, finger dexterity are required. Mental application utilizes memory for details, emotional stability, discriminating thinking and creative problem solving. Periodic travel required in normal course of job performance.