Director, Strategic Outreach & Partnerships

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Be a Part of Something that Matters

At WECC, we enhance the lives of 90 million people by identifying and mitigating risks to the bulk power system in the West. To deliver on our mission of a highly reliable and secure bulk power system in the Western Interconnection, we are seeking a Director, Strategic Outreach & Partnerships to help us further our mission and achieve our business goals.

The Director, Strategic Outreach and Partnerships will lead WECC’s external engagement, stakeholder outreach, and strategic partnership efforts to support organizational priorities, industry influence, and long-term strategic positioning within the Western Interconnection.

The role will serve as a liaison to state, provincial, and international policy makers and regulators, regional stakeholder groups, and in close coordination with WECC’s executive team, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

While WECC's headquarters are located in Salt Lake City, Utah, this position is remote-eligible for candidates residing in the Lower 48 states. Time spent traveling is expected to be a minimum of 20-30% for this role, though business needs may require additional travel on occasion.

You will—

• Develop and implement comprehensive risk-based strategies designed to strengthen engagement, relationships, and partnerships with key stakeholders, industry partners, policymakers, regulators, technical experts, and ERO-Enterprise organizations.
• Work collaboratively across the organization to identify strategic opportunities, elevate WECC’s industry visibility and reputation, support industry collaboration, and expand WECC’s external impact.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with FERC Office of Electric Reliability staff and related offices on WECC-related issues.
• Collaborate with key power industry stakeholders (including regulatory agencies, special interest groups, and electric utilities) to facilitate alignment between WECC’s reliability activities and stakeholder efforts.
• Inform and shape reliability analyses and related data-collection programs. Ensuring WECC is providing high-quality, independent analyses to its stakeholders by using energy policy expertise and judgment to aid the decision-making process regarding models, studies, analyses, and results.
• Oversee stakeholder segmentation and mapping, and targeted outreach campaigns and engagement initiatives.
• Represent WECC in meetings with policymakers, regulators, industry groups, committees, and stakeholders.
• Lead efforts related to strategic outreach activities, including workshops, training events, webinars, and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
• Monitor industry trends, stakeholder priorities, and emerging opportunities to identify opportunities, risks, and strategic implications for the Western Interconnection.
• Develop and communicate insights, metrics, and recommendations related to stakeholder engagement, outreach effectiveness, and partnership activities.

Requirements:

You will enjoy this role if you—

• Have a bachelor’s degree in business, communications, public policy, political science, marketing, or an industry-related field.
• Have a minimum of ten years’ progressively responsible experience in a related role.
• Have a minimum of eight years’ experience in people management roles.
• Have experience leading strategic engagement or partnership initiatives.
• Have experience managing projects, programs, campaigns, or organizational initiatives.
• Thrive in a fast-paced, inquiry-based, team-driven environment.
• Possess knowledge of NERC, FERC, and regional reliability standards.
• Have a strong working knowledge of the electric industry and the NERC Reliability Standards framework.
• Have excellent business writing and communication skills, including the ability to provide clear and concise instructions.
• Have a proven ability to make timely, professional assessments with limited information and assumptions, and to confidently act on decisions.
• Have strong strategic thinking and relationship management skills.
• Can build credibility and influence across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Have excellent written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Can synthesize technical or industry information into strategic business insights.
• Have a high level of professionalism, diplomacy, and political awareness.
• Possess strong computer literacy and proficiency using PCs, including a working knowledge of common applications such as those in the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Understand and adhere to sound principles of cybersecurity, including protecting sensitive information, using secure passwords, and following organizational cybersecurity protocols.

Our Culture and Values

• Our people and our work matter;
• Everyone is invited to be a leader;
• Independence, perspective, and partnership are how we add value;
• Intellectual curiosity, empowerment, and accountability fuel meaningful results;
• Continuous improvement and innovation are essential; and
• We act with intention and focused urgency in everything we do.

Benefits and Compensation

The base salary range for this full-time position is $147,100–$183,900 + discretionary pay + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role and level. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and mid-point for the position across all locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter will share more details during the hiring process.

WECC offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, health reimbursement and flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan, and generous paid personal time.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We foster an organizational culture that values the visible and invisible qualities that make individuals who they are. When individuals bring their whole selves to work, without apprehension, we, as WECC, will meet our mission now and in the future.

WECC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Be a part of something that matters!