Economic Development Regional Manager

Southern Company•Naperville, IL

About The Position

Regional Manager, Economic Development Job Summary: The purpose of this position is responsible for implementation of Nicor Gas Economic Development strategy, including internal and external engagement strategy, development and coordination of external presence and message development, proactive engagement approach, associated services, objectives and metrics. Leverage relationships with local governmental officials and community leaders to ensure a positive operating environment and reputation for Nicor Gas. The Manager is an experienced company liaison with municipal, business, economic development and community leaders and will plan and implement community involvement initiatives and economic development strategies with our state, regional and local economic development partners. The Manager also coordinates communication of capital/infrastructure projects with key stakeholders. This position will also drive workforce development initiatives in collaboration with human resources, talent development, supplier diversity, legal, GIS, community affairs, energy efficiency and field operations. Functional Expertise: Responsible for leveraging relationships built with local government, business, economic development and community leaders to ensure a positive operating environment and reputation for Nicor Gas. Responsible for researching plans for significant Nicor Gas capital/infrastructure projects and developing and executing plans for communicating project details with key stakeholders. Responsible for serving as the economic development liaison for Nicor Gas, supporting numerous high-profile projects each year within Nicor Gas’ service area working closely with state and local economic development organizations. Responsible for coordinating high-level responses for natural gas infrastructure availability, capability, cost, and timing to prospective companies, economic development authorities and state and local economic development project managers. Responsible for supporting public presence/community involvement initiatives. Assist in coordination of the Nicor Gas workforce development comprehensive strategy and execution (in support of GAS workforce development strategy). Business Acumen: Manages involvement with local associations and organizations (chambers, development authority’s, economic development and other business interests). Responsible for the development and implementation of Nicor Gas Economic Development strategy, including internal and external engagement strategy, development and coordination of external presence and message development, proactive engagement approach, associated services, objectives and metrics Seeks opportunities to speak about company programs and initiatives at membership organizations or other key venues. Develops plans to strategically manage the territory considering, for example, key constituents, significant capital/infrastructure work scheduled, past (or potential) issues, franchise agreements nearing expiration and economic development projects. Ensure that business prospects receive accurate and timely information about natural gas service and infrastructure in coordination with Customer Development, Energy Efficiency, System Planning, Engineering, and any other pertinent area of business. Able to anticipate changes in business and economy and recommends and takes action to position the company for success. Able to handle difficult situations and resolve conflicts in a professional manner. Able to engage individuals at all levels inside and outside of the company. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to convey information in a manner that is compelling and convincing. Engagement: Provides ongoing communications (face-to-face and written) with Chamber of Commerce and local government officials, economic development officials and other constituent groups. Provide coordination support to Customer Development team with regards to stakeholder and customer engagement on economic development initiatives. Coordinate with Community Affairs team to obtain long-term plans for municipalities and counties to anticipate growth opportunities and initiatives impacting Nicor Gas economic development strategy. Support and manage community development initiatives as they relate to economic development, economic impact and/or business retention or growth. Represent Nicor Gas in key economic development committees, events or initiatives, including speaking and presentation opportunities. Driving Results: Evaluate and manage Nicor Gas leadership engagement in economic development boards and committees. Research plans for significant business prospects and communicate project details with key stakeholders. Participate in economic development initiatives of substantial scope by leveraging Company resources, coordinating across internal departments and advocating for growth on behalf of Nicor Gas.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Public Administration, Political Science, Engineering or related field. OR Equivalent education and experience.
6+ years of experience interacting with internal and external stake holders including municipal, business, economic development and community leaders
6+ years of progressive management experience with a regulated utility or business
Experience & thorough knowledge of natural gas distribution systems
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective interpersonal relationships
Exemplify a high level of diplomacy and decorum
Strong analytical and problem solving skills
Experience in negotiating and conflict resolution
Public Speaking/presentation Skills
Familiarity with local government – structure, processes, decision makers
Customer service-oriented
Must always be ready to respond to field emergencies
If away from territory, backup arrangements must be made and communicated internally as necessary
Some evening and weekend requirements
Must have valid driver’s license and access to transportation to attend meetings/events in territory

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree in related field and position-related certifications
Experience in negotiating and conflict resolution
Media relations experience
Familiarity with public and non-profit sectors

Responsibilities

implementation of Nicor Gas Economic Development strategy
Leverage relationships with local governmental officials and community leaders to ensure a positive operating environment and reputation for Nicor Gas.
plan and implement community involvement initiatives and economic development strategies with our state, regional and local economic development partners
coordinates communication of capital/infrastructure projects with key stakeholders
drive workforce development initiatives in collaboration with human resources, talent development, supplier diversity, legal, GIS, community affairs, energy efficiency and field operations
leveraging relationships built with local government, business, economic development and community leaders to ensure a positive operating environment and reputation for Nicor Gas
researching plans for significant Nicor Gas capital/infrastructure projects and developing and executing plans for communicating project details with key stakeholders
serving as the economic development liaison for Nicor Gas, supporting numerous high-profile projects each year within Nicor Gas’ service area working closely with state and local economic development organizations
coordinating high-level responses for natural gas infrastructure availability, capability, cost, and timing to prospective companies, economic development authorities and state and local economic development project managers
supporting public presence/community involvement initiatives
Assist in coordination of the Nicor Gas workforce development comprehensive strategy and execution (in support of GAS workforce development strategy)
Manages involvement with local associations and organizations (chambers, development authority’s, economic development and other business interests)
Responsible for the development and implementation of Nicor Gas Economic Development strategy
Ensure that business prospects receive accurate and timely information about natural gas service and infrastructure in coordination with Customer Development, Energy Efficiency, System Planning, Engineering, and any other pertinent area of business
Provides ongoing communications (face-to-face and written) with Chamber of Commerce and local government officials, economic development officials and other constituent groups
Provide coordination support to Customer Development team with regards to stakeholder and customer engagement on economic development initiatives
Coordinate with Community Affairs team to obtain long-term plans for municipalities and counties to anticipate growth opportunities and initiatives impacting Nicor Gas economic development strategy
Support and manage community development initiatives as they relate to economic development, economic impact and/or business retention or growth
Represent Nicor Gas in key economic development committees, events or initiatives, including speaking and presentation opportunities
Evaluate and manage Nicor Gas leadership engagement in economic development boards and committees
Research plans for significant business prospects and communicate project details with key stakeholders
Participate in economic development initiatives of substantial scope by leveraging Company resources, coordinating across internal departments and advocating for growth on behalf of Nicor Gas.