Community & Government Affairs Manager - Washington

Community & Government Affairs Manager - Washington Hybrid schedule available for Oregon & Washington residents. Regular full-time, exempt. Posting # 5615.

Role Overview For over 165 years, NW Natural has provided safe, affordable, and reliable energy across the Northwest. Our public affairs team supports the continued growth of Oregon and Southwest Washington by fostering strong communities and relationships with public officials as well as advancing innovative solutions. The Government & Community Affairs Manager – Washington builds and maintains relationships with government officials, community leaders, business and civic organizations, allied trades and labor, and other key stakeholders to work together with NW Natural in addressing complex energy and community challenges.

This role engages at both the local level (Clark County) and state level (Washington) to support reliable, affordable energy delivery for our customers and improve the Company’s operating environment. Based in Southwest Washington (Vancouver Service Center), the manager represents NW Natural across a range of settings, including government and community meetings, legislative engagement in Olympia, and coordination with internal teams and regional partners. The role supports initiatives such as infrastructure development, climate action planning, and community investment, while helping stakeholders understand key issues including energy reliability, safety, and emerging technologies.

This position serves as a key connector across government relations, community engagement, and business priorities. Key Responsibilities Local Government Relations Serves as the primary liaison to Clark County and city jurisdictions, building relationships, supporting consensus-building, and navigating complex policy and community issues with agency staff and elected officials. Represents the company in public forums and digital advocacy as needed.

Is part of the Local Government Affairs Team and reports to the Director of Local Government Affairs. State Government Relations Supports the Director of State and Federal Government Affairs in State of Washington and partners with the state affairs team to maintain relationships with legislators and agency staff, and represents company interests (including NW Natural Water). Monitors and responds to legislative (and sometimes regulatory) developments.

Community Engagement Advances NW Natural’s presence as a community partner through participation in business, civic, and economic development organizations. Identifies and coordinates community investment opportunities in partnership with the Community Relations team. Support the Company’s commitment to a culture of safe work practices.

Build and maintain relationships with government, business, labor, and community stakeholders to support service territory retention, franchise management, economic growth, streamlined permitting, energy literacy, and healthy communities. Represent NW Natural in community, civic, and governmental settings (including written and verbal testimony), communicating company priorities and advancing strategic partnerships. Monitor and analyze local and state policy, regulatory activity, and community issues; develop strategies to advance opportunities and mitigate risks in alignment with company and customer interests.

Partner with internal teams (State Affairs, Regulatory, Environmental Policy, Marketing, and Operations) to support policy development, infrastructure projects, climate action planning, pilot projects, and jurisdictional coordination. Lead community education efforts on energy topics including decarbonization, resiliency, safety, joint energy system planning, affordability, and resource adequacy through presentations, events, and outreach. Coordinate engagement with civic, economic development, and community-based organizations to support business growth and community investment priorities.

Plan and execute company participation in community events, sponsorships, and partnerships, including evaluating outcomes and coordinating with Community Relations team and Philanthropy manager; support using NW Natural’s event canopies and mobile cook wagon. Represent company in digital advocacy and external communications, serving as a liaison with Corporate Communications and local media as needed. Contribute to emergency response preparedness through participation in External Affairs/Incident Command planning and execution.

Maintain working knowledge of gas and water systems to effectively represent company operations. Perform other duties as assigned, including travel within the service territory and occasional overnight travel. Qualifications A Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years of community/government/public relations/sales experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

General knowledge of local, state, and federal government structures and/or operations. Ability to influence others to modify their positions and/or negotiate to an acceptable solution. Ability to support policy creation with community, business, and customer stakeholders; ability and interest in facilitating positive outcomes with stakeholders where disagreement or controversy is present.

Proven ability to analyze data, solve problems, and provide actionable insights and business recommendations. Experience in fast-paced legislative or political environments. Knowledge of utilities or regulatory frameworks, business and political environments a plus.

Strong verbal communication skills on an individual and group presentation basis, including facilitation, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills. Strong interpersonal skills, including effectively consulting with internal and external customers regarding sensitive issues; proven ability to work with all levels of an organization with tact, confidentiality, and diplomacy to develop and maintain collaborative efforts. Ability to respond to government leaders, customers and partners with tact and diplomacy.

Ability to create, track and manage an area budget based on departmental and engagement priorities. Effective time management skills and ability to prioritize projects. Advanced computer skills and the ability to apply them to various company systems and word-processing, spreadsheet and database applications.

Possess and maintain a valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record. Must obtain a valid Oregon/Washington driver's license within 90 days if current valid license is from another state. Must be available to work some evenings and weekends.

Additional Qualifications – Senior Level Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred (Public Policy, Business, Communications, or related field). Minimum of 8+ years of experience, including demonstrated experience operating at a strategic level. Demonstrated experience developing and leading government or community affairs strategies across multiple stakeholders or jurisdictions.

Established relationships with local and/or state government entities and a record of influencing policy or outcomes. Ability to lead complex negotiations and manage sensitive political or community issues independently. Experience advising senior leaders and translating business objectives into external engagement strategies.

Advanced analytical capability to assess political, regulatory, and business risks and opportunities and recommend strategy. Demonstrated leadership capability, including influencing cross-functional teams and driving alignment across stakeholders. Knowledge of utility, regulatory, or energy policy environments required.

Benefits Rich health insurance benefits with competitive employer contribution. Free access to an online wellness resources platform. Up to 23 Vacation Days. 80 Hours of sick time. 10 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays. 3 weeks paid parental leave. 1500 sq foot exercise facility and secure bike room.

Meaningful annual incentive bonus opportunity in addition to base salary. Competitive 401K company contribution and match. 15% discount on NW Natural stock through Employee Stock Purchase Program. Up to $5250 a year in tuition reimbursement.

Wellness incentive program. 20% off natural gas service. Up to 30% discount at NW Natural Appliance Center. TriMet Pass for all HQ employees.

Generous discounts with Verizon & AT&T Wireless. Salary and Target Incentive Base salary range: $110,250.00–$157,100.00 (Grade 22) or $123,500.00–$175,950.00 (Grade 23) per year, depending on qualifications. Annual Target Incentive: 12% target.

Equal Opportunity Statement NW Natural is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and embrace our candidates’ diversity and take affirmative action to employ and advance individuals without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, marital status, genetic information, and all other legally protected characteristics. We forbid discrimination and harassment in the workplace based on any protected status or characteristic.

A criminal history is not an automatic bar to employment with NW Natural. Instead, we make individualized assessments regarding qualifications and backgrounds. NW Natural is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, and disabled veterans in our job application procedures.

If you need assistance or an accommodation as part of the application process, please contact us at [email protected] or (971) 979-6341. E-Verify NW Natural participates in E-Verify. Individuals hired will have their Form I-9 information submitted to E-Verify.

E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility. #J-18808-Ljbffr