Director, Stakeholder Engagement

Street Full-Time No home office possible

More than a career – a chance to make a difference in people\’s lives.

Build an exciting, rewarding career with us – help us make a difference for millions of people every day. Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you\’ll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits.

This position can be located at our regional headquarters in St Petersburg, FL or our Northpoint Office Building in Lake Mary, FL. The exact location will be determined at the time of offer based on business needs.

Job Summary

The Director, Stakeholder Engagement is responsible for providing leadership, strategic direction, management, and oversight of the Florida Stakeholder Engagement team. They work collaboratively with business units (PGO, Renewables, etc.) to support the strategic direction by developing processes for both internal and external communications related to major infrastructure projects or other operational efforts impacting our customers.

This Director is responsible for hiring, training, developing, and leading a team of professionals to execute engagement strategies supporting an average annual capital investment of $XXX billion. The primary focus is to develop and execute effective localized engagement plans for engagement, education, and communication with external parties on key grid initiatives related to capital investment deployment. The team will implement plans in coordination with internal stakeholders and external partners, working at all levels including utility customers, agencies, community leaders, environmental groups, and interest groups (HOAs, neighbors, retirees), while maintaining a positive community reputation.

Particular emphasis is on creating a framework where stakeholder feedback is considered, public issues and questions are addressed effectively, and external support for plans is maximized while opposition is minimized. This role requires broad understanding of the company\’s planning and operations, as well as stakeholder involvement in Duke Energy\’s capital investments.

The Director will develop internal and external engagement strategies in collaboration with enterprise leaders to identify public engagement concerns and priorities, working with internal parties such as:

PGO
Land Services
Renewable & Distributed Energy Business Development
Government & Community Relations
State & Federal Government Affairs
Large Account Management
Economic Development
Small/Medium Business
Customer Care Organization
Corporate Communications
Legal

Key Responsibilities

Stakeholder Engagement:

Develop strategic engagement activities and policies across the enterprise.
Coordinate with State Presidents, Government and Community Relations, and External Affairs to support Florida investment strategies.
Manage a team supporting engagement plans for an average of $XX billion in capital investments.

Communications:

Provide two-way dialogue and business intelligence for leaders, in coordination with relevant groups.
Develop tools/mechanisms to ensure timely internal communication regarding stakeholder positions and inquiries.
Maintain effective communication with internal and external partners.
Foster relationships through open dialogue.
Educate stakeholders on issues affecting communities, customers, and the company to build advocacy and reputation.

Representing the Company

Advocate externally on energy, environmental, and sustainability issues.
Represent Duke Energy in industry associations to enhance relationships, intelligence, and reputation.

Qualifications

Basic/Required:

Bachelor\’s degree in Communications, Engineering, Political Science, Law, or related field.
Minimum 7 years of related work experience, or high school diploma with 14 years of experience in lieu of a degree.

Desired:

Leadership experience, excellent communication skills, relationship management.
Knowledge of company\’s strategies and electric utility industry.
Financial acumen, strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement skills, ability to manage multiple projects.
Experience in external stakeholder organizations.

Working Conditions

Primarily office environment with travel to various locations (~25-30%).
Occasional early mornings, nights, weekends, and 24/7 storm/emergency response readiness.
Hybrid work model; residence within a reasonable commute to FL locations preferred.

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