Senior Advisor, Government Affairs - NJ

About the role

This is an open position with FirstEnergy Service Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. The Senior Advisor, New Jersey External Affairs will be a key member of FirstEnergy’s External Affairs group, working to advance the interests of the company with state and local legislators, regulators, mayors, governors and other non-governmental stakeholders influencing state and local policy development in the state and across FirstEnergy’s service territory.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee FirstEnergy’s engagement in state and local legislative, regulatory, and community affairs, including:
  • Leading a collaborative team of state and government, regulatory and local external affairs professionals responsible for our engagement with elected, appointed, and grasstops/grassroots in-state stakeholders
  • Identifying policy priorities through internal stakeholder engagement
  • Managing a multi-issue policy portfolio, including independently analyzing relevant legislative and regulatory activity across various jurisdictions and developing company positioning
  • Developing content for advocacy campaigns while managing strategic deployment of outside consultants, lobbyists and coalition partners
  • Maintaining robust relationships with state regulators, state and local elected, appointed, and community leaders, and managing relationships with state and local external consultants, lobbyists, trade associations and industry coalitions to advance the company’s policy and regulatory objectives
  • Representing the company with state trade associations and coalitions to drive broader alignment with advancing the company objectives
  • Developing and executing strategic political giving plans in consultation with leadership and representing the company at fundraisers, conventions and related political events
  • Overseeing grassroots political engagement by Business Councils and other property-level associates
• Provide Political Counsel To Corporate Senior Leadership By Informing senior leadership and /or developing executive communications on state and local policy matters
• Education and communication with corporate senior leadership on legislative/regulatory changes that impact business activity and providing guidance as they implement compliance strategies
• Identify and prepare executives for potential political sensitivities or proactive engagement opportunities arising during the course of public appearances or other business activities
• Collaborate with cross-company functions to ensure message alignment on policy issues to inform communications and business positioning
• Identify, shape and/or create opportunities at public events to educate policymakers and regulators, staff and influencers about FirstEnergy to bolster company reputational and political capital
• Develop or oversee the creation of content for internal and external communications related to state and local policy developments
• Represent the company at fundraising events and other community/non-governmental partner events

Requirements

• A four-year college degree required, with advanced studies or a graduate degree in public policy, law, or a related field preferred
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience working in a state or local legislative office, in a legislative affairs or policy role within a state agency or Governor’s office, for a regulatory agency, or in an external affairs role, with a mix of government and private sector experience preferred
• Fluency with state and local political and legislative and regulatory processes, as well as experience with grassroots and coalition management
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively, including: Ability to relate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, Ability to build, facilitate and participate in collaboration between diverse groups, Ability to effectively interpret and address needs of diverse constituents; and Ability to integrate data effectively and work diplomatically with a broad range of individuals, including senior management and government officials
• Flexibility to travel across the service territory footprint and attend morning and evening events
• Excellent time management and organizational skills, with attention to detail
• Self-starter who takes initiative and follows through on tasks to completion; ability to work independently
• Demonstrated ability to articulate and synthesize complex issues and present information effectively to diverse audiences
• Ability to work well under pressure, set and adapt to continually changing workload priorities, and effectively manage multiple tasks with minimal supervision
• Independent identification and analysis of problems/issues, assessment of risks, creation and evaluation of alternative solutions, and recommendation of a course of action
• Demonstrated ability to maintain security and confidentiality of sensitive information
• Experience in the energy/utility industry combined with a strong knowledge of regulated industries

Benefits, Compensation & Workforce Diversity

At FirstEnergy, employees are key to our success. We depend on their talents to meet the challenges of our changing business environment. We are committed to rewarding individual and team efforts through our total rewards philosophy which includes competitive pay plus incentive compensation, a company-sponsored pension plan, 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution, a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs, as well as skills development training with tuition reimbursement. Please visit our website at www.firstenergycorp.com to learn more about all of our employee rewards programs.

FirstEnergy proudly supports workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. No recruiters or agencies without a previously signed contract. Unable to sponsor or transfer H-1B visas at this time.