Director of Public Affairs, Government Relations, Permitting

Exciting opportunity to join a leading international vertically-integrated solar manufacturing company as a Director of Public Affairs, Government Relations, and Permitting for their US Business. Strong experience with Texas state government is a must (open to government officials), additional government and investor relations experience is highly preferred. Ideally on-site in Houston or Austin, Texas. Position Overview: The Director, U.S. Public Affairs, Govemment Relations & Permitting will lead the Company's government relations, public affairs, and permitting strategy across its U.S. manufacturing platform, with particular focus on the development of a solar cell manufacturing facility in the Texas. This is a senior leadership role responsible for setting strategy, managing executive-level relationships with government officials and agencies, overseeing the permitting and regulatory approval process for major capital projects, and providing strategic counsel to company leadership on policy, regulatory, and reputational matters. The Director will also oversee the Public Affairs, Govemment Relations & Permitting Manager and any external service providers engaged in support of the function. This is primarily a Public Affairs, Government Relations, and Permitting leadership role rather than a traditional Marketing or PR position; PR/media relations and Investor Relations (IR) support will be secondary responsibilities. Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Develop and lead the U.S. public affairs, government relations, and permitting strategy across current and future manufacturing sites, aligning government and community engagement with the company's broader growth and investment plans. Serve as the senior representative to state and local government officials, agency leadership, economic development organizations, and industry associations; build and maintain executive-level relationships that support the company's long-term interests in Texas. Provide senior oversightofthe permitting and regulatory approval process for major capital projects, ensuring the permitting workstream remains aligned with master project schedules, and escalating critical-path risks and mitigation plans to executive leadership. Manage and mentor the Public Affairs, Government Relations & Permitting Manager, and oversee external service providers engaged on behalf of the company. Monitor and proactively engage on federal, state, and local policy developments - including trade, energy, and tax incentive policy - that may affect the U.S. manufacturing operations, and represent the Company's interests before relevant policymakers and industry coalitions. Serve as a key advisor to executive leadership on government-relations, regulatory, and reputational risk matters, including scenario planning and issue management for major projects. Provide strategic oversight of media relations and public communications for major company and project milestones, including press releases, media inquiries, interviews, and groundbreaking/ribbon cutting events, in coordination with the Marketing team. Provide senior-level support to the Investor Relations (IR) team on U.S.-related investor and analyst communications, including investor visits, project tours, and analyst meetings, ensuring externally communicated information is accurate and consistent with company disclosures. Qualifications: Bachelor' s degree required; advanced degree (JD, NIPA, or NBA) in Public Policy, Political Science, Government Affairs, Law, Business Administration, or a related field strongly preferred. 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in Govemment Relations, Public Affairs, Permitting, or Regulatory Affairs, including senior-level engagement with government officials and agencies. Demonstrated experience leading government relations and permitting strategy for large-scale manufacturing, energy, or infrastructure projects, ideally in Texas; proven track record managing multi-year project timelines and cross-functional stakeholders. Established relationships with Texas / Harris County / Houston-area government officials and agencies strongly preferred; federal-level relationships a plus. Proven leadership experience managing direct reports and/or external service providers. Strong executive presence and the ability to represent the company before senior government officials, media, and industry stakeholders; excellent written and verbal communication skills. Adapt to domestic business trip or travelling abroad. #J-18808-Ljbffr Taylor Hopkinson | Powered by Brunel