Principal, Government Affairs

Primary Role

The primary role of this position is to develop and manage a comprehensive state government affairs program to advance and support the company’s business plan and state–specific objectives. This role manages legislation with the potential to impact the company and provides strategic direction and tactical implementation of government affairs activities in support of company objectives.

This role is also responsible for establishing, nurturing and maintaining relationships with elected and appointed state government officials, for ensuring that the company is properly and effectively positioned with key elected/appointed individuals, and is a trusted and expert resource.

The Principal, Government Affairs reports to the Director of Government Affairs    (State) and is responsible for effective reporting and communications with American Water to ensure the company is advancing an aligned, integrated and effective government relations strategy across the business. This role works closely with the American Water Government and External Affairs team to ensure timely sharing of relevant information related to legislative efforts, including development of policy issues and narratives, bill drafting and amendments, and internal legislative tracking and reporting.

Key Accountabilities

• Leads and directs the effective development, implementation and assessment of an integrated government affairs program to enhance the company's strategy and reputation, and to position American Water as the trusted expert and industry leader relative to water and wastewater issues.
• Establishes regular proactive communication outreach strategies and tactics in the state government political arena to ensure state government and political relationships are solidified and American Water is looked upon across all service territories with respect and positioned as the industry leader and trusted expert.
• Proactively meets with state and local government officials on a regular basis to create strong relationships, mitigate emerging or potential problems, and establish a level of trust between the company, state legislators and other appointed and elected officials.
• Develops and implements government affairs and outreach strategy and tactics for rate case proceedings and other company initiatives as directed.
• Is the primary state lobbyist for the company charged with helping to change, stop or advance water, wastewater, utility or other legislation impacting the company and/or the industry.
• Prepares and manages the development of legislative testimony, testifies on behalf of the company and/or prepares the other company representatives to provide legislative testimony, as appropriate.
• Manages contract lobbyists and maximizes effectiveness.
• Establish and maintain an effective bill tracking program and takes full advantage of opportunities for the company to be out front on industry- related issues.
• Build effective alliances and coalitions to advance the company’s position on key legislative initiatives. (70%)
• Represent the company at key business organization functions, political fundraisers, legislative receptions and conferences with government audiences.
• Ensure state government officials are kept updated when problems such as main breaks and other company-related events of potential public interest occur.
• Work closely with and regularly communicates with the Sr. Managers of Government and External Affairs and collaborates with the Government and External Affairs team on statewide government affairs strategy and implementation, including interaction tracking, meetings and company communications.
• Utilize company public affairs management platform to help manage constituent issues and public official interactions.
• Work with senior management to ensure coverage at Commissioner and other regulatory events.
• Help identify business development opportunities through government official and lobbyist relationships and work closely with Business Development team to help advance potential and in-progress acquisitions. (20%)
• Manage the company’s affiliated state PAC and ensure all Election Law Enforcement rules, regulations and other reporting requirements are met.
• Develop and implement comprehensive strategy and execution plan to grow the PAC.
• Ensure that the senior management team is aware of PAC-related opportunities to derive maximum benefit from PAC-related expenditures. (10%)

Knowledge/Skills

• Demonstrated ability to testify before legislative audiences and determine when and how to bring senior management and other departments into the process so that political officials have the benefit of the full expertise of the company.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills to distill complex information into easy-to-understand content.
• Must work with agile mindset to multitask, prioritize responsibilities, and meet deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
• A positive, collaborative attitude, proactive nature, and confidence and enthusiasm when working with colleagues, new people, ideas and technologies.
• Ability to manage through influence and build strong, trusting relationships internally and externally.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budget resources efficiently in order to maximize benefits to the organization
• Able to manage/coach people to develop potential and build capabilities.
• Must possess an excellent working knowledge of state executive and legislative branches and their governing processes and understand the hierarchy of government officials so the company has access to the right people, at the right time, in the right departments, for the right purpose.
• Has a thorough understanding of PAC laws, Election Law Enforcement Laws (ELEC) for the state, where applicable, and a knowledge of the various reporting requirements.
• Must know how to access information and gain knowledge of issues that may impact the company in the business and political arenas.

Experience/Education

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, government affairs, journalism, communications, public relations or related field is preferred, or demonstrated experience commensurate with the requirements of the position.
• 12+ years of related work experience of which 6 to 8 years in government relations or lobbying, preferably within the utility sector.

Travel Requirements

• 20% within the state and in the United States.

Certifications & Licenses

• Must be a registered lobbyist.

Work Environment

• Standard office environment located in a state supporting the full array of local/state government affairs activities.

Competencies