Manager-Stakeholder Engagement (LROW)

Primary purpose: The Stakeholder Engagement Manager is responsible for developing and executing stakeholder engagement strategies and plans that support Tallgrass operations, real-property interests, and the protection of Tallgrass physical assets. This position is focused on proactive, consistent engagement with landowners, tenants, and other affected parties to address safety risks on or near the right-of-way (ROW)-including encroachments, unknown or unauthorized third-party excavation/activity, and other conditions that could threaten pipeline/facility integrity. The role emphasizes relationship management and risk-based communications across the asset footprint to promote operational safety, environmental stewardship, and community trust. The position works closely with Land/ROW, Operations, Damage Prevention, and Government & Public Affairs (G&PA) to ensure stakeholder concerns and observations are captured, documented, and routed appropriately, and that easement terms and real-property agreements are understood and reinforced as a primary means of protecting Tallgrass assets. Essential duties and responsibilities * Engagement strategy, plans, and tracking * Develop and implement stakeholder engagement plans, procedures, and tracking tools aligned with operational priorities, real-property rights, easement terms, Tallgrass core principles, and applicable industry guidance/best practices. * Establish standardized engagement documentation practices (contact logs, commitment tracking, correspondence templates, issue categorization, and escalation pathways). * ROW safety and asset-protection communications * Lead landowner/stakeholder communications focused on ROW safety and asset protection, including: * identification and management of encroachments and prohibited uses * awareness of unauthorized/unknown third-party excavation and how to report it * reinforcement of easement terms and restrictions that help prevent damage and safety incidents * education on recognizing and reporting conditions that could pose risk to pipeline/facility integrity * Support consistent "asset-protection" messaging that is practical, respectful, and aligned with Tallgrass standards. * Stakeholder relationship management * Build and maintain constructive, transparent relationships with landowners, tenants, local officials/community representatives (as relevant to ROW safety and asset protection), and other impacted stakeholders. * Facilitate meetings, briefings, and outreach efforts (in-person and virtual) to address safety concerns, prevent misunderstandings, and resolve issues early. * Issue intake, analysis, and resolution support * Track, analyze, and respond to stakeholder concerns related to ROW safety, encroachments, third-party activities, and easement compliance. * Triage issues and coordinate timely internal responses; escalate as needed to appropriate internal teams for technical assessment, enforcement, corrective action, or formal correspondence. * Maintain closure discipline by documenting actions taken, outcomes, and stakeholder follow-up. * Easement-term reinforcement and real-property alignment * Maintain strong working knowledge of easements and real-property agreements and apply that knowledge to stakeholder engagement, particularly where easement terms restrict activities that could compromise asset integrity. * Coordinate with Land/ROW to ensure engagement is consistent with real-property rights administration and documentation standards. * Industry practices and standards * Maintain knowledge of relevant industry guidance and best practices including, but not limited to API RP 1185, and apply it as appropriate to engagement planning, stakeholder documentation, and continuous improvement. * Maintain general familiarity with pipeline public awareness concepts and how stakeholder engagement interfaces with other company programs, as needed for coordination and documentation. * Documentation and readiness * Prepare and maintain engagement records, correspondence, contact logs, and reports to support internal reviews, audits, and readiness for inquiries or information requests. * Develop routine reporting for management and cross-functional teams (issue trends, hotspot areas, recurring encroachment types, stakeholder sentiment, and engagement activity metrics). * Coaching and field support * Provide coaching and practical guidance to field and operational teams on effective stakeholder communications related to easement terms, encroachment prevention, third-party activity risk awareness, and issue de-escalation. * Promote consistent use of approved messaging, documentation practices, and escalation pathways. * General responsibilities * Collaborate with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders with tact, courtesy, and professionalism. * Maintain regular, dependable attendance and consistent performance. * Promote a high regard for personal safety, the safety of company assets and employees, and the general public. * Perform other duties and special projects as assigned. Minimum requirements: Education: * Bachelor's degree in Energy Management, Land Management, Business or related. Experience/Specific Knowledge: * Minimum of 10 years of experience in land management and landowner relations, including: * management and administration of real-property rights and easements * monitoring, documenting, and supporting resolution of encroachments and other encumbrances * sustained engagement with landowners and affected stakeholders to support safe, compliant operations * Knowledge of and experience with: * easement/ROW best practices and real-property rights principles * concepts related to pipeline/facility safety risk from third-party activities (e.g., encroachments, unauthorized excavation, prohibited uses) and appropriate stakeholder engagement approaches * working understanding of API RP 1185 and familiarity with API 1162 (as a reference framework for how engagement may interface with broader public awareness requirements) * Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively across cross-functional internal teams (Operations, Damage Prevention, Land/ROW, G&PA, Legal, Compliance) and external stakeholders (landowners, tenants, community representatives, local officials, and regulators as applicable). Certifications, Licenses & Registrations: * Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and a driving record satisfactory to the company and its insurers (for travel). Competencies, Skills & Abilities: * Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills. * Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; disciplined documentation and follow-through. * Ability to perform multiple tasks with strict deadlines and prioritize work effectively. * Ability to work with a team, take direction from management, adhere to required work schedules, and follow company policies. * Strong judgment and professionalism when handling sensitive landowner interactions and safety-related issues. Physical Demands: All the physical requirements listed below are those that may be necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. * Sitting; standing; walking or moving throughout the facility/field locations; driving; talking; seeing (close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, ability to adjust focus); hearing; feeling; bending/stooping; squatting/crouching; reaching; kneeling; pushing/pulling; lifting up to 25 lbs. * Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time. * Regular use of hands to type, touch, handle, or feel. Working Conditions: * Will work non-traditional hours as needed. * Occasional overnight travel will be required. * May be required to carry a cell phone and be available to respond during working and non-working hours. * Candidates will be required to clear a drug screen and complete a background check, including a credit report for certain positions after an offer has been extended and prior to being employed. Supervisory Responsibility: * Yes Preferred Education, Experience, Certifications, Competencies, Skills & Abilities: Above the minimum requirements, not required but advantageous in this position: * Experience with environmental and safety regulations related to pipeline operations (as they relate to stakeholder interactions and issue recognition/escalation). * Familiarity with digital engagement tools, contact management systems, and data-driven issue tracking/reporting. * Prior experience supporting internal reviews, audit preparation, or readiness reporting through strong documentation practices. Other Responsibilities: The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed. This position may perform other duties as assigned. Compensation The salary range for this role is $124,800-$155,000/yr