Reporting to the President/CEO, the Chief Engagement Officer provides leadership and a motivating work environment to the following departments: Energy Solutions, Member Solutions, Communications and Marketing, NHEC Foundation, Government Relations, and Business Development. In this role the successful candidate will oversee these critical functions that reflect the best interests of the cooperative and its members. This position influences key local, state, and federal legislation impacting NHEC and NH Broadband. It provides vehicles for communication of NHEC and NH Broadband issues to legislators and other key political leaders. Works to promote and encourages growth within the state, promoting/stimulating business relocation/expansion while enhancing the quality of life in communities served by NHEC. This position also directs marketing efforts across all lines of NHEC businesses and product lines including the development and delivery of Energy Efficiency NH State Programs and Social and Environmental Programs as well as NH Broadband.
Job Responsibilities:
Supervises: Director of Communications and Marketing, Energy Solutions Executive, Energy Solutions Manager, Community Relations Administrator, Member Solutions Supervisor, Business Development Executive, Director of Government Relations and Administrative Assistant
Economic, Business Development and Community Relations:
Attends meetings as necessary to remain informed and aware of issues affecting NHEC and NH Broadband.
Supports economic development activities throughout the service territory by coordinating with public agencies, economic development organizations and/or property owners/brokers.
Improves community relations by representing NHEC at community events and/or becoming involved, and coordinating other staff’s involvement, in community organizations such as Chambers of Commerce, Economic Development Council’s, etc.
Maintains NHEC’s relationship with key businesses ensuring the key accounts program focuses on helping to expand or retain businesses with our service territory.
Keeps abreast of state, governmental, and other funding programs available by assisting with identifying availability of grants, financing, and other funding as it relates to business development.
Government Relations:
Represents NHEC directly and indirectly at public, social and business gatherings including the Public Utilities Commission, the legislature, community and business meetings, and Business and Industry Association (BIA).
Represents NHEC and member interest by helping to set governmental policy regarding the energy and telecommunications industry.
Maintains relations with government policy makers by attending various state and federal meetings/functions, hearings to impact legislation and/or rules/regulations affecting NHEC and its membership.
Influences the passage of legislation favorable to NHEC.
Monitors progress of proposed legislation – identifying those with potential impact on NHEC and NH Broadband and devising position/strategy.
Represents NHEC on BIA, TAPS and NEPPA legislative committees formulating strategy for issues important to public power system.
Energy Solutions:
Ensures comprehensive value-added services are developed and offered to the members in the delivery of the Energy Efficiency, Social and Environmental Responsibility Programs and Products and Services.
Develops and recommends programs and strategy to NHEC’s Board of Directors.
Ensures fiscal responsibility by developing annual work plans and capital budget covering section activities; compares expenditures and work plans to determine if corrective action is required; approves invoices and periodically approves check disbursement.
Member Solutions:
Ensures that metrics within the call center meet and exceed industry standards.
Assists the call center in developing messaging relative to NHEC and NH Broadband including all products and services provided to the membership.
Marketing:
Supports NHEC’s programs and services by developing marketing strategy and campaigns.
Enhances NHEC image by developing and promoting programs and services to improve member communications.
Conducts market and member demographic research by identifying objectives, selecting, and overseeing research methodologies.
Develops annual work plans and budgets covering marketing activities; implements work plans within budgets, analyzing variances and initiating corrective action when appropriate.
Coordinates effective marketing by identifying short-term and long-range forecasts; directing market research collection, analysis and interpretation of data; provides historical market research information by establishing and maintaining market research data storage, analysis and comparisons.
THE PERSON:
EDUCATION: A Bachelor’s required. A Master’s Degree in business, community and economic development, regional planning, or a similar course of study preferred.
EXPERIENCE: A minimum of ten years’ experience at a management level leadership position required.
ABILITIES ANDSKILLS: Must be skilled in planning, directing, coordinating, and administering various plans, programs, and overall functions of the division. Should be skilled in critical thinking and have an excellent ability to multitask. Must be people oriented and supports the cultural goals of NHEC by exhibiting self-leadership, empowering, and coaching staff, developing, and maintaining effective working relationships, having a results orientation, being innovative and seeking feedback. Must be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and negotiate effectively with either technical or non-technical people or government agencies while educating them. Knowledge of negotiation skills desired. Must possess the ability to collect, assemble, and analyze a variety of data while able to work with graphics, statistics, technical sketches, blueprints, and codes.
WORKING CONDITIONS: Generally accepted office conditions. Frequent day and extended travel will also be required to attend meetings and training, regionally and nationally representing NHEC at professional and association meetings. Often required to travel to inspect the features of land/buildings under consideration for development or expansion, including its current use and the types of structures on it.
Assistance with power restoration efforts is required of all employees. It may be required during regular business hours that employees will be assigned functions to support power restoration and for some employees that may be different from their normal duties. In addition, such assistance may require working nights, weekends and holidays which may involve considerable extra hours.
NHEC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
