Senior Manager, Government & Community Relations

The Senior Manager of Government & Community Relations supports DEMEC's communications, government relations, and legislative advocacy efforts to strengthen engagement with members, policymakers, stakeholders, and the communities we serve. Reporting to the Director of Government & Community Relations, this position manages day-to-day communications and outreach while supporting legislative tracking, policy research, government affairs, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy initiatives at the federal, state, and local levels. The role develops clear and engaging content across digital, print, and public-facing platforms; monitors legislative and policy developments affecting DEMEC’s member communities; and helps translate complex energy issues into effective communications for diverse audiences. This position is ideal for a collaborative professional who combines strong communication skills with an interest in public policy, community engagement, and the evolving energy industry. Manage the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of DEMEC's internal and external communications program. Develop, write, edit, and coordinate corporate communications, publications, annual reports, newsletters, speeches, press releases, presentations, educational materials, and organizational messaging. Manage DEMEC's website, social media platforms, branding, digital content, photography, videography, and multimedia communications. Develop communication strategies supporting organizational initiatives, legislative priorities, member programs, emergency communications, and public outreach. Coordinate media relations, public information activities, and communication support for Board meetings, conferences, member events, and organizational initiatives. Manage communication consultants, vendors, and creative service providers while maintaining quality, brand consistency, and fiscal responsibility. Maintain knowledge of local, state, and federal energy and environmental policy initiatives and legislation. Support legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts through research, policy analysis, legislative monitoring, and executive briefings. Prepare legislative summaries, testimony, advocacy materials, policy communications, and corporate reports. Develop and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, government agencies, member communities, industry organizations, and strategic partners. Possess unquestionable personal code of ethics, integrity, and trust. Represent DEMEC before governmental, industry, and community organizations as assigned. Attend legislative sessions, regulatory proceedings, committee meetings, and industry events to monitor issues affecting DEMEC and its member communities. Assist in establishing departmental goals, strategic initiatives, budgets, work plans, performance measures, and operation priorities. Lead assigned cross-functional projects and coordinates organizational initiatives involving multiple departments and external stakeholders. Assist with crisis communications planning, emergency public information, departmental procedures, workflow improvements, and executive support activities. Prepare reports, presentations, Board materials, correspondence, and other corporate documentation. Maintain professional knowledge of communications, government affairs, and Public Power industry best practices. Develop and adhere to all team budgets. Other projects/duties as assigned for the overall benefit of the Company. Minimum Education and/or Experience Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with; Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Political Science, Public Administration, Government Affairs, Business Administration, or a closely related field is required. Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications, government relations, public affairs, public policy, marketing, public administration, or a related field. Electric utility, municipal government, cooperative utility, or public power experience is strongly preferred. Demonstrated experience developing corporate-level written communications including reports, presentations, policy briefings, legislative summaries, speeches, press releases, and strategic communications. Demonstrated experience managing multiple complex projects simultaneously while successfully meeting deadlines in a fast-paced professional environment. Experience building productive working relationships with elected officials, executive leadership, government agencies, community organizations, media representatives, consultants, and diverse stakeholder groups. Demonstrated experience leading projects, coordinating cross-functional teams, supervising consultants, or progressively increasing leadership responsibilities is preferred. Experience with digital communications platforms including website content management systems, social media management tools, photography, graphic design software, and multimedia communications is preferred. Experience supporting legislative affairs, regulatory proceedings, advocacy initiatives, strategic planning, or organizational communications is highly desirable.