Vice President of Marketing & External Relations (Freeborn Mower Electric Cooperative - Albert Lea, MN)

Hiring salary: $120,000 – 160,000. Compensation is determined by a combination of factors, including education, work experience, and certifications.

About the Cooperative

Freeborn Mower Electric Cooperative (FMEC) is a member-owned electric cooperative serving primarily Freeborn and Mower Counties in southern Minnesota. Founded in 1936, FMEC has been part of the community for more than 85 years and today serves more than 18,000 member-owners across a 1,235-square-mile service territory. The cooperative is committed to delivering safe and reliable power, dependable energy solutions, helpful programs, and a positive experience for every member. Governed by a nine-member board elected by the membership and supported by a skilled local workforce, FMEC is a not-for-profit cooperative grounded in the Seven Cooperative Principles. Local ownership, community accountability, and long-term member trust guide FMEC’s work as it supports economic growth, local initiatives, and the well-being of the communities it serves.

About the Role

The Vice President of Marketing and External Relations will play a key leadership role in strengthening FMEC’s member communications, public presence, community partnerships, and engagement with local stakeholders.

The Vice President of Marketing & External Relations provides strategic leadership and executive oversight for the cooperative’s communications, marketing, energy services, key accounts, member services, and external relations functions. This executive leadership role supports FMEC’s commitment to safe, reliable, and affordable electric service while strengthening member relationships, community partnerships, and public engagement. The Vice President reports to the President & CEO and leads the Communications and Marketing Team, Energy Solutions Team, and Member Services Team. This position works closely with cooperative leadership, employees, board members, members, policymakers, and community partners to advance FMEC’s mission and support the long-term well-being of the communities it serves.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Member Experience
  • Provide executive leadership for FMEC’s communications, marketing, member services, energy solutions, key accounts, and external relations functions.
  • Develop strategies that strengthen member trust, improve service accessibility, and support FMEC’s commitment to safe, reliable, and affordable electric service.
  • Lead public-facing teams and programs, including member communications, account support, billing, energy solutions, key account engagement, and member-impacting technology improvements.
  • Establish performance measures to evaluate program effectiveness, member engagement, and service improvements.
• Communications & External Relations
  • Oversee FMEC’s brand, member communications, media relations, public messaging, and community engagement efforts, including communications during major outages or member-impacting initiatives.
  • Represent FMEC with members, board members, elected officials, policymakers, community leaders, industry partners, and other external stakeholders.
  • Support government relations activities in coordination with MREA, NRECA, and Dairyland Power Cooperative.
  • Monitor legislative, regulatory, and industry developments affecting FMEC and advise leadership on related risks, opportunities, and member impacts.
• Energy Solutions & Economic Development
  • Provide executive oversight for energy efficiency, rebate, load management, distributed generation, and related member programs.
  • Build relationships with commercial, industrial, and institutional members through a strong key accounts program.
  • Collaborate with chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, municipal partners, and regional groups to support business growth, community vitality, and responsible long-term load growth.

Requirements

• Education & Experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, communications, public policy, or related field required; advanced degree preferred.
  • Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, member/customer service, external affairs, energy programs, or a related field, including at least three (3) years of leadership experience.
  • Electric cooperative, utility, or related industry experience preferred.
• Skills & Abilities
  • Executive-level leadership experience with the ability to guide teams, programs, and organizational priorities.
  • Strong understanding of marketing, communications, member engagement, and public relations strategies.
  • Demonstrated ability to guide an organization’s digital presence, including website content, social media strategy, email communications, digital advertising, and online member engagement.
  • Knowledge of electric utility programs, including energy efficiency, load management, and distributed generation.
  • Ability to build effective relationships with members, employees, board members, policymakers, community partners, and industry organizations.
  • Strong strategic planning, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, including the ability to represent FMEC in public and professional settings.
  • High level of professionalism, executive presence, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Other Requirements
  • Overnight travel up to 10%.
  • Valid driver’s license.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand/sit; walk; use hands/fingers to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits

• Health and Dental insurance + employer HSA contribution.
• Life insurance.
• Generous 401(k).
• Paid Vacation, Sick, and Holiday time.
• Robust Wellness Program.
• Hybrid work option; 1 day/week work from home.
• VoliPay (Volunteer Program).