The Lead Associate, Stakeholder Relations supports the development and execution of AES' regional stakeholder engagement strategy and its national strategy for energy campuses and powered land under the leadership of the Sr. Manager - Central Region. The role leads engagement for an assigned portfolio of renewable energy projects across MISO, SPP and ERCOT and supports a national portfolio of multi-technology energy campuses and powered land opportunities, from site screening and diligence through development, permitting, construction and operations.
At AES, Lead Associates lead complex project engagement strategies with a high degree of independence, with the guidance of their leader and in close collaboration with project teams and External Affairs colleagues. The Lead Associate brings direct energy industry experience and serves as a subject-matter resource on local engagement, social risk mitigation, strategic partnerships and advocacy, helping to implement and improve the frameworks, tools and best practices that allow AES to engage consistently and responsibly across markets. As a key representative of AES, the role builds trust with host communities and helps secure and maintain the company's social license to operate.
The breadth of engagement extends beyond local communities to landowners, Tribal Nations, customer counterparts, utilities, local and state governments, economic development organizations, labor unions, nonprofits, EPC partners, industry associations, chambers of commerce and local news media, among others. The successful candidate has a proven track record of leading engagement on complex, high-visibility energy projects, including experience with community benefit agreements and economic development and incentive processes, as well as cultivating innovative, responsive and meaningful partnerships in service of local communities and responsible infrastructure development.
Job Functions
National Energy Campus and Powered Land Strategy
- Support the Sr. Manager, Stakeholder Relations - Central Region in developing and implementing AES' national stakeholder engagement strategy for energy campuses and powered land.
- Conduct stakeholder and community diligence for prospective projects, sites and acquisitions by assessing community sentiment, local land use and zoning landscapes, and near- and long-term risks to inform site selection and project decisions.
- Monitor national and state trends, relevant policy developments, and public sentiment related to renewable energy, data centers, large-load development and energy infrastructure; synthesize insights, and share lessons learned and best practices across relevant teams.
Project Engagement Strategy and Execution
- Develop and maintain strategic engagement plans, community and risk assessments, and local communication strategies for assigned projects, with the guidance of the Sr. Manager and in collaboration with project teams.
- Support engagement across prospecting, M&A due diligence, early planning, development, permitting, construction and execution, maintaining continuity through operations.
- Align engagement with project milestones, permitting and construction schedules, and customer timelines, adapting strategies as project scope and configuration evolve.
- Mobilize coalitions of individuals and organizations to demonstrate support for the industry and AES' projects and to secure favorable outcomes.
Cross-Functional, Customer and Partner Collaboration
- Build cross-functional alignment with internal teams as projects progress through the development process, through construction and into operations.
- In collaboration with the Sr. Manager, coordinate with customer counterparts, development partners and utilities on engagement strategy, siting considerations, confidentiality requirements and stakeholder expectations.
- Translate community insight into feasible engagement strategies and clear recommendations for project teams and leadership.
Local Policy, Economic Development and Inclusive Participation
- Maintain an informed understanding of state, county, municipal and local political landscapes in assigned markets, in coordination with AES' Government Relations team.
- Build professional, nonpartisan relationships with elected officials and staff, regulators, economic development organizations, trade and business groups, and community and educational institutions; monitor local proceedings; and support public hearings and zoning and land use approvals.
- Support the strategy for tax and other economic incentive structures relevant to energy and large-load infrastructure; support the negotiation and approval of incentives and development agreements in collaboration with internal teams, consultants and partners.
- Engage broad and diverse audiences through respectful, culturally competent consultation, including underrepresented communities; conduct Indigenous and Tribal engagement where applicable, consistent with the AES Voluntary Tribal Engagement Policy.
- Build constructive relationships with labor unions and building trades on workforce, local hiring and project labor priorities, in coordination with Execution and Government Relations.
- Maintain accessible inquiry and notification channels; listen to and document feedback; respond in a timely manner; work with project teams to resolve concerns; escalate unresolved issues appropriately; and communicate outcomes.
- Uphold standards and relevant contractual requirements for engagement and communication across the project lifecycle, with a particular focus on construction and operations.
AES Corporation
4300 Wilson Blvd
Arlington
Virginia United States
www.aes.com
