What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director, Stakeholder Engagement and Community Relations position at Liberty Utilities?
LU Service Corp.
Joplin, MO, US, 64801
Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (AQN), parent company of Liberty, is a diversified international generation, transmission, and distribution utility. AQN is committed to providing safe, reliable, and cost-effective energy and water solutions through our portfolio of utility investments to over one million customer connections, largely in the United States and Canada.
At Algonquin, our vision is to be the most trusted utility service provider in North America – a premium regulated utility, known for our customer focus, commitment to sustainability, and strong community partnerships. Our employees are at the heart of that vision. We believe that when people are empowered to learn, grow, and contribute their ideas, we can achieve remarkable results together.
We are building a culture that values integrity, inclusivity, and innovation. By joining Algonquin, you’ll be part of a team that is shaping the future of energy and water, while creating long-term value for our customers, communities, employees, and shareholders.
Purpose
Provides leadership for Liberty’s external affairs, government relations, and stakeholder engagement activities with a primary focus on Missouri. This position supports the local operating company’s ability to achieve its core objectives: maintaining a reasonable opportunity to earn a fair return while providing safe, reliable, and affordable utility service. In doing so, the role advances the balanced approach that recognizes the interests of the Company’s key stakeholders, including customers, employees, shareholders, and stakeholders (regulators, policy makers, and other interested parties).
The incumbent works with internal operating company business leaders, policy makers, regulators, industry groups, community leaders, and other stakeholders to develop, draft, and advance legislation and public policy initiatives that support a healthy and sustainable utility. This includes building coalitions of aligned parties, coordinating with external consultants and advocacy groups, and communicating to community members the value that a financially healthy and operationally capable utility brings to local communities and residents. While the role will initially focus primarily on Missouri, it may support similar efforts in other Central region states as future opportunities develop.
Accountabilities
- Develop and maintain a strong understanding of the operating company’s business, including utility operations, financial performance, regulatory obligations, customer impacts, and strategic priorities, to ensure advocacy efforts are grounded in the practical needs of the business.
- Lead external engagement and community support efforts for large load and strategic economic development opportunities, including explaining how properly structured growth can benefit customers, support affordability, strengthen local communities, and improve the long-term health of the utility.
- Lead Missouri-focused policy and stakeholder strategies that support the operating company’s ability to provide safe, reliable, and affordable service while maintaining a reasonable opportunity to earn a fair return.
- Track legislative, regulatory, legal, and political developments that may affect the operating company, assess potential impacts, and help shape proactive responses that align with business, customer, and regulatory objectives.
- Advise local leadership and functional teams on external developments, emerging risks, community concerns, and policy opportunities that may influence operations, investment decisions, customer outcomes, or regulatory strategy.
- Build and strengthen relationships with elected officials, regulators, policymakers, municipal leaders, community organizations, industry groups, peer utilities, and other stakeholders whose engagement may be important to advancing operating company objectives.
- Develop and support legislative, regulatory, and public policy initiatives by working with internal subject matter experts, external advocates, aligned utilities, industry partners, and community stakeholders to build effective coalitions.
- Support clear, credible, and informative communication plans that help community members and other stakeholders understand the operating company’s activities, investments, and policy positions, particularly where the issues are technical, complex, or easily misunderstood.
- Promote internal awareness of the role government affairs, community engagement, and public policy play in achieving broader utility objectives, including reliability, affordability, financial stability, employee support, customer value, and long-term community investment.
- The position will report to the President of the Empire District Electric Company and will coordinate with other functional areas to ensure consistency and alignment to support the operational objectives of leadership.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
- 8 years of experience in government affairs, regulatory affairs, external affairs, public policy, or a related field.
- 5 years leadership/management experience
- Demonstrated expertise in state legislative and regulatory processes, preferably within the utility, energy, or regulated infrastructure sectors.
- Demonstrated success influencing legislative, regulatory, and political outcomes at the state and local levels.
- Proven ability to build coalitions and work effectively through trade associations and industry organizations.
- Understanding of regulatory frameworks and their impact on utility operations and strategy.
- Strong political acumen, communication skills, and stakeholder engagement abilities.
- Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills
Our purpose is sustaining energy and water for life, and it is demonstrated in everything we do as a business and as an employee team.
As the successful candidate
Our Mission
We provide safe, secure, reliable, cost-effective and sustainable energy and water solutions. Our mission is how we create value as an organization—it is what drives us every day to fulfill our purpose.
Our Vision
We better the lives of our customers and communities. Our vision is what we see as possible. It's where we aspire to be, what we want to achieve and how we'll make an impact. It guides and keeps us on the right path as we work towards fulfilling our purposes.
Our Guiding Principles
- Customer Centric
- Integrity
- Entrepreneurial
- Teamwork
- Owner mindset
- Outcome focused
- Continuous learning
What we offer
Collaborative environment with a genuine flexible working policy
401k Plan with matching
Share purchase/match plan
Leadership Development Program
Volunteer paid days off
Employee Assistance Program
Achievement fund
Free parking
Variety of Health & Wellness programs
Discount and Perks program
We are focused on building a diverse and inclusive workforce. If you are excited about this role and are not confident you meet all the qualification requirements, we encourage you to apply to investigate the opportunity further.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value each person's unique background, diversity, experiences, perspectives and talents.
Full participation of all employees in a safe, healthy and respectful environment is key to individual and company success. We are committed to fully utilizing the abilities of all our employees and expect each of our employees to honour this commitment in their daily responsibilities.
Nearest Major Market: Joplin