Job description

Provide the strategic and tactical growth and government affairs objectives of the state. This includes driving governmental relationships to accomplish the growth, regulatory, and legislative goals of the company and will be accomplished through personal effort and direction of other managers. Setting and delivering a budget which includes the acquisition of municipal and investor-owned utilities as well as driving of water contract sales.

Key Accountabilities

• Develop and maintain key regulatory, legislative and local governmental relationships to meet strategic growth goals.
• This includes establishing and maintaining relationships with state and local government officials and regulators, working closely with an array of political, utility, industry, and business-related state organizations to create strategic alliances and issue-oriented coalitions (i.e., Environmental Regulations, Public Utility Regulations, etc.), and contacting municipal and privately owned water and wastewater operations to discuss acquisition, negotiating sales for resale contracts and developing other related business opportunities.
• Setting and delivering a strategic growth plan for the state; and developing the tactical plan for delivery of the strategic plan, including setting related growth goals and delivering a budget for new sales and related expenses.
• Direct the Business Development and Government Affairs team members and perform all supervisory and employee development activities/ Drive legislation which furthers the success of the company, including directing all lobbying activities and management of local contract lobbyists. Manage a state-focused PAC.
• Ensure American Water is effectively represented in meetings, conferences, seminars, etc., at various national, state, and municipal levels, and in a position to present the advantages of ownership transfer whenever possible. Represent the company at key business organization functions, political fundraisers, etc. and ensure senior management is poised to participate.
• Communication with and engagement of the state and corporate senior management teams in delivering sales growth and relationship management.
• The ideal candidate will have experience lobbying and interacting with state and local government officialsKnowledge/Skills
• Business acumen, communication (written and verbal), networking.
• Position requires superior financial modeling skills, including knowledge of spreadsheet software packages, as well as legal aspects of the regulatory environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills (presentation skills: fluency, report writing).
• Interpersonal skills, (e.g., persuasion negotiation, cooperation, diplomacy).
• Strong planning organization and coordinating skills.
• Strong internal consulting skills.

Experience/Education

• Bachelors Degree in related field of business, public administration, communication, law, or related.
• Masters Degree preferred.
• Ten (10) to Fifteen (15) years business experience and knowledge of the water industry.
• Travel Requirements: Up to 50% within Illinois.
• Certifications & Licenses Valid Drivers License Required.
• Work Environment Office and travel: Must work out of any Illinois office with the option to work from home 2 days per week.