Public Affairs Manager

Public Affairs Manager

The Public Affairs Manager (P4) will oversee community engagement strategies for LRE's East region projects in development to minimize risks, build support, and enhance project value. This position will work closely with a variety of cross-functional teams—including Development, Legal, and Government Affairs—to manage stakeholder outreach, public meetings, and communications efforts.

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of renewable energy or large infrastructure development and permitting processes, experience in stakeholder and community engagement, knowledge of local and regional policy environments, and a passion for advancing clean energy projects. This role requires initiative, independence, and the ability to influence project timelines and stakeholder strategy through thoughtful analysis and proactive engagement.

This role requires travel 25-50% of the time depending on business needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic public affairs leadership across LRE's East Region development portfolio, offering insight into project development risk, local dynamics, and stakeholder sentiment.
• Shape public affairs priorities and advocacy strategies for projects, applying deep subject matter expertise in community engagement tools, tactics, and best practices.
• Lead high-impact initiatives such as coalition building, supporter and grassroots engagement campaigns, land use and zoning advocacy efforts, and other project-specific community engagement strategies.
• Serve as a trusted representative of Leeward Renewable Energy in public meetings, hearings, and industry organizations, with authorization to speak on behalf of the company.
• Manage high-stakes communications and sensitive stakeholder situations, exercising sound judgment and providing recommendations to leadership on risk mitigation and engagement strategy.
• Act as a primary point of contact for key external allies, elected officials, regulators, tribal representatives, NGOs, and local decision-makers.
• Develop and oversee strategic communications materials, including messaging, talking points, presentations, press materials, and community-facing content.
• Manage external public affairs and public relations agencies to ensure alignment with project goals and execution of engagement strategies.
• Participate in project team meetings and maintain a deep understanding of project development and permitting milestones, proactively identifying issues and opportunities and providing judgment-based counsel to project teams and leadership on emerging issues, permitting risks, and stakeholder concerns.
• Conduct site visits to key project locations to support stakeholder outreach, strengthen relationships, and inform strategy development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Public Affairs, Political Science, Communications, or a related field; Master's degree preferred or equivalent relevant experience
• 6–8 years of experience in public affairs, stakeholder or community engagement, advocacy, communications, or a related field; experience in renewable energy or large-scale infrastructure development strongly preferred
• Proven experience leading stakeholder-facing efforts and serving as a trusted representative of an organization in public meetings, hearings, and industry forums
• Demonstrated ability to interpret project development risk and provide strategic, judgment-based recommendations
• Strong track record of building and maintaining effective relationships with a variety of diverse stakeholders such as elected officials, government agencies, indigenous tribes, NGOs, community leaders, or other external partners
• Experience navigating permitting and land use processes, including projects involving federal, state, or local approvals;
• Experience managing external communications, public affairs, or public relations agencies
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and facilitation in high-stakes stakeholder environments
• Highly collaborative, with a demonstrated ability to proactively partner with leaders across multiple departments and influence outcomes without direct authority
• A track record of demonstrating sound judgement and ethical behavior
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with project management or CRM tools a plus
• Demonstrated passion for renewable energy and responsible, community-centered project development

Requirements

• Position will require sitting for long periods of time as well as occasionally lifting up to twenty-pound boxes
• This role requires travel 25-50% of the time
• Must possess a valid driver's license and the ability to drive a vehicle
• Must be able to pass a background check and drug screening

Applicants must have current authorization to work for any employer in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for an employment visa now or in the future. Employer visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

Leeward Management Services, LLC is committed to employing a diverse workforce and provides equal employment opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Notice to Recruiters and Staffing Agencies: Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE) does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiting vendors or employment agencies. Only recruiting vendors with a current, signed agreement in place with LRE are authorized to submit resumes for specific, requested positions. All unsolicited resumes and candidate profiles submitted to LRE, or any LRE employee, without an active agreement or written request from LRE's HR Department, will be considered property of LRE. LRE will not be responsible for any fees or expenses associated with unsolicited resumes or candidates submitted in this manner.