Public Policy Communications Manager

Pay Grade

15

Position Summary

Provides proactive communications and state and federal public policy development services integral to CPS Energy’s engagement and advocacy efforts within the state and federal legislative and regulatory arenas. Establishes collaborative and strong relationships with operational leaders and decision makers throughout the organization to promote the practice of sound public policy principles. Responsibilities will include working with various departments across the organization. Focuses on tactical aspects of legislative and regulatory processes through the evaluation of operational, legal and financial impacts to the organization. Communicates effectively with internal and external audiences at all levels of the CPS Energy organization. 
 

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Manages state and federal legislative and regulatory initiatives in line with the organization’s priorities.
• Helps lead multiple, cross-functional working groups focused on public policy projects and initiatives.
• Develops solutions to critical legislative and regulatory issues of impact to the organization and presents alternatives.
• Under the guidance of the Director and Manager, handles all requests from state and federal associations for review and comment on pending bills and/or agency rulemakings. This includes identifying the internal subject matter experts (SMEs), sharing the policy related request and pertinent background, conducting research, gathering input, preparing a comprehensive response, obtaining the necessary internal approvals (when applicable) and ultimately communicating back to the association.  When needed, also gathering information from our external consultant(s).
• Manages the legislative analyst process – identifying and training subject matter experts (SMEs); ensuring the Federal & State Relations team receives bill and rule analyses from SMEs in a timely manner; asks the tough questions to ensure our information is accurate; coordinates with the Manager and Director to provide information to elected officials’ offices. 
• Attends or monitors regulatory entities' open meetings. When an agenda item or discussion of interest/impact to CPS Energy is posted, ensures internal executives are proactively aware and engaged. Provides post-meeting recaps, takeaways and action items, if any.  If action or other engagement is needed, manages that process. This may include coordination of executive engagement before legislative and/or regulatory bodies.
• Ensures that all legislative hearings, open meetings, other public policy activities and all relevant deadlines are prioritized among the Federal & State Relations team; when there are overlapping proceedings, coordinating with the Manager and Director to ensure coverage and real-time information sharing occurs back to senior executives.
• Conducts policy research and writing, content and materials development, and government relations analysis. This includes drafting all contents of the Public Policy Agenda, seeking input from SMEs, and navigating the necessary internal executive and senior leadership reviews and approvals; drafting all official CPS Energy position papers on public policy topics that arise throughout the year. Performs analysis of legislative and regulatory data and proposals, and generates reports, as needed. Manages to the business unit metric. 
• Handles all formal communications on relevant public policy priorities/activities on behalf of the Federal & State Relations. This will include speaking at internal meetings on public policy items and activities. As needed, this will involve cross-coordination with Corporate Communications on official messaging of impact/interest to policy positions and company initiatives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
   

Minimum Skills

Minimum Knowledge and Abilities

Preferred Qualifications

• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification

Competencies

Minimum Education

Required Certifications

Working Environment

Physical Demands