Head of External Affairs, Regulatory Strategy & Communications

Job Description:

Position Summary

This critical leadership role is new to Deriva Energy and presents a unique opportunity to shape and lead the External Affairs and Communications function within a company that has built its growing business and its strong reputation around its mission to lead the renewable energy industry. As Head of External Affairs, your role requires a blend of communications, marketing, community relations, and government affairs expertise to help ensure that our energy infrastructure projects not only earn but also retain the "social license to operate' in the communities we locate.

Reporting to the Chief Commercial Officer, this candidate will lead a new team that provides strategic direction to Deriva's policy priorities, pairs policy domain and advocacy expertise, and serves as a key fulcrum for collaboration on policy analysis, development, and prioritization with leaders and SMEs across Deriva's business units and functions, including strategy and regulatory policy.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Execution

• Work with the CCO to design and implement the optimal organizational structure that integrates communications for internal and external stakeholders, Government Affairs, and leads the combined group.

• Lead, develop, and mentor a growing team responsible for communications, public affairs, and government relations, fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.

• With strategic guidance and direction from the CCO, implement strategies to foster trust and secure project support from stakeholders, including but not limited to, Federal and State regulatory bodies, officials and policymakers, and other influential organizations or stakeholder groups.

• Act as a key advisor to executive leadership on social, cultural, political, and regulatory issues or trends that could impact the social license and/or project economics in our markets.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent the company in public forums, regulatory hearings, and leading industry organizations.

• Ensure interests are advanced through collaboration across internal teams and external partners to anticipate emerging trends and proactively shape opportunities to drive impactful policy outcomes.

• Provide exceptional interdisciplinary foresight of the emerging environment and play a critical role directing and integrating a strategic public policy agenda constructed around horizon scanning, research and analysis, policy development, issue management, data and insights, and thought leadership.

• Oversee the budget for the Public Policy team, ensuring efficient and strategic allocation of resources.

Working Conditions

• This position is located in Charlotte, NC; relocation assistance is available.

• Travel is approximately 25-35%, including visits to project sites, government offices, and industry or community events as needed.

Required/Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degreeAND 10 years or more of related work experience

• In lieu of bachelor's degree, high school diploma/GED AND 15 years or more years of related work experience

Desired Qualifications

• Proven leader in external, governmental, or public affairs; preference for experience in renewable energy or infrastructure sectors

• Strong communication, public speaking, and negotiation skills

• Ability to navigate complex stakeholder ecosystems with diplomacy and strategic acumen

• Deep understanding of public policy, Federal & State regulatory bodies, and Regional Transmission Operators/Markets across the United States energy infrastructure.

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain high-impact relationships with external stakeholders

• Strong public speaking and representation skills, with the ability to act as a thought leader and corporate ambassador in public forums

• Demonstrated success in leading, developing, and inspiring high-performing teams within complex, matrixed organizations

Additional Information:

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Deriva welcomes veterans of the United States Armed Forces to apply for this position. Deriva includes veterans of all branches and a diverse set of occupational specialties. We value the independent thinking, problem solving, leadership, and teamwork that our veterans have developed through their service. We welcome applications from any service and any military occupational specialty.

Deriva Energy is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, family responsibilities, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, transgender, sex stereotyping, protected veteran or military status, and other categories protected by federal, state or local law.