Manager, Government Affairs

Company Overview

Pattern Energy is a leading renewable energy company that develops, constructs, owns, and operates high-quality wind and solar generation, transmission, and energy storage facilities. Our mission is to transition the world to renewable energy through the sustainable development and responsible operation of facilities with respect for the environment, communities, and cultures where we have a presence. 

Our approach begins and ends with establishing trust, accountability, and transparency. Our company values of creative spirit, pride of ownership, follow-through, and a team-first attitude drive us to pursue our mission every day. Our culture supports our values by fostering innovative and critical thinking and a deep belief in living up to our promises.  

Headquartered in the United States, Pattern has a global portfolio of more than 30 power facilities and transmission assets, serving various customers that provide low-cost clean energy to millions of consumers.

Job Purpose

This position has responsibilities for advancing government affairs initiatives in the U.S. with a focus on Pattern’s priority states. Depending on location, this role will manage the government affairs program throughout a designated geographic region. 

The role oversees government affairs advocacy at the state level to advance the company's commercial interests.  Policy venues will include governor offices, state agencies, and state legislatures.   Issue areas will include, but not limited to government funding programs/initiatives, clean energy standards, carbon markets, procurement, interconnection, tax policy, greenhouse gas emissions regulation, environmental policy, and permitting/siting. The role will collaborate with the regulatory affairs team on regional market policy and public engagement and communications teams to support local development initiatives. 

The successful candidate will be required to build and maintain strategic relationships with elected and appointed officials, government agency staff, and other key decision makers to support and advance policies that will affect the company's commercial interests. Additionally, the role will need to manage multiple initiatives at once and work closely with the development and other departments to design and execute comprehensive external affairs strategies to achieve desired policy outcomes to support the company’s commericial objectives.   

The role represents Pattern at trade associations, and provides strategic leadership in building effective relationships with industry allies and community leaders.  The candidate requires industry leadership skills to advance short and long-term policy objectives supporting Pattern's interests.

The position oversees daily management of external team of consultants to leverage strategic relationships, stay attuned to key policy developments, and direct advocacy.  The role will coordinate closely with internal teams by seeking counsel from key subject matter experts to ensure corporate alignment of commercial interests. The position will produce reports, policy analysis, and other materials to provide strategic insights internally and externally to inform decision making. The role coordinates and leads internal and external calls, meetings on a regular cadence and as needed to support the business. 

Key Accountabilities

• Develops, implements, and oversees plans to execute the company's government affairs agenda, pursuing proactive legislative and other initiatives and defending against adverse legislative or regulatory actions.
• Integrates input from development, operations, and commercial teams, as well as executive leadership, to identify policy-driven risks and opportunities, and to articulate the company's positions on key issues; leads internal teams in prioritizing and analyzing the impact of critical legislative and regulatory issues based on the company’s business plan; reports on key issues and impacts to relevant internal staff and executive management team. Works closely with the stakeholder engagement team and consultants.
• Represents the company in trade associations and other organizations serving in leadership positions and on committees as needed.
• Develops, fosters, and strengthens relationships with stakeholders, elected officials, and other external parties to facilitate advocacy and information-sharing efforts to enhance and maintain the company's public reputation. Represents the company at meetings, conferences, public forums, and government hearings.
• Contributes to External Affairs department coordination and alignment, including the utilization of software tools for effective planning, collaboration and tracking.
• Supports community engagement initiatives and permitting processes in coordination with stakeholder engagement and development teams. 

Education/Experience/Qualification Required

Education:

• Bachelor's degree from accredited college/university (political science, economics, public administration, social science, humanities, or other relevant field); Graduate degree preferred.     

Experience:

• 5-8 years of experience in the public or private sector working in government affairs, regulatory affairs, or development, with direct experience in clean energy policy.
• Experience working in a range of energy markets
• Experience representing and serving as an external spokesperson for a corporation or other organization

Additional Qualifications:

• Strong knowledge of renewable energy industry
• Thorough understanding of the structure and relationship of government bodies
• Knowledge of the policy, regulatory and advocacy environments within each of the priority markets for the company
• Ability to analyze, interpret and draft legislation, regulation, and position papers
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills
• Excellent writing, speaking and communication skills
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and manage rapidly changing priorities across multiple disciplines
• Quick learner able to work cross-functionally and independently at times
• Solutions-oriented with the ability to develop strategies and execute by creating and maintaining processes and systems

The expected starting pay range for this role is $103,000 - $138,000 USD. This range is an estimate and base pay may be above or below the ranges based on several factors including but not limited to location, work experience, certifications, and education. In addition to base pay, Pattern’s compensation program includes a bonus structure for full-time employees of all levels. We also provide a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, voluntary benefits, family care benefits, employee assistance program, paid time off and bonding leave, paid holidays, 401(k)/RRSP retirement savings plan with employer contribution, and employee referral bonuses.

Pattern Energy Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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