Project Manager - St Paul, United States - Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association

Description

Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric utility that provides power to rural Wright County and western Hennepin County.

The cooperative has been a corporate citizen to the area since 1937 and currently serves more than 59,000 electric accounts.

The


Project Manager:
Beneficial Electrification and Community Programs

will be responsible for developing, promoting and executing beneficial electrification programs and activities.

The goal of this role is to secure strong member, customer, community, public, and employee understanding, support for and adoption of these programs and activities as well as the Cooperative as a whole.

The ideal candidate will have strong project management and execution skills with the goal of monetizing energy saving programs for the benefit of the Cooperative and its membership.

While experience in the utility industry would be helpful, the successful candidate will have a strong project and program management background.

Travel is expected for 40-50% of time in the local area.

Key Responsibilities:

60% - Beneficial Electrification Education Partnership and Strategy Project Execution
Execute Electric Vehicle (EV) strategy in partnership with WH leaders and establish relationships with Great Plains Institute, clean energy groups, and other EV groups (i

e:
Drive Electric MN).
Promote, advocate for, and expand the adoption of WH Energy-Savings Programs.
Oversee content development to be used in multiple channels to reach stakeholders.
Actively promote EV charging opportunities and programs with current and potential C&I members.
Proactively seek out new Beneficial Electrification opportunities through city planning commissions and proposed property developments in coordination with Key Accounts

Explore Public Private Partnerships (Public-private partnerships: (P3s) involve partnerships between public agencies (such as local governments and transportation authorities) and private companies to produce publicly accessible infrastructure.)

Engage with community membership groups
Actively promote and advocate for WH charging solutions, including related products, services and investments
Work with local auto dealerships and EV service providers to understand their EV sales and service strategies.

Identify and recommend possible resources to share EV information and programs with local dealerships to encourage adoption of WH Energy-Saving programs.

Research and understand the benefit of membership in Drive Electric and other EV programs.
15% - Local Community and Government Outreach
Support relationships between WH, its employees/members, and the community. Manage internal and external community programs (i.e., Chambers of Commerce, Rotary and other groups).

Build and maintain relationships with local units of government, coordinate efforts with other Cooperative departments including operations, engineering, WH Holding and business development.

Identify and report emerging issues that could impact smooth operation of the Cooperative and develop and implement resolution and mitigation strategies.

Work with Engineering to assist with the acquisition and approval of future substation locations and/or other assets in the WH service territory.

Coordinate city, county, and township activity to facilitate smooth and efficient placement and development of WH infrastructure.
Explore new technologies to integrate into programs.
15% - Grant Management
Identify, explore, and respond to grant opportunities for and on behalf of WH and its membership. Inform the team of government funding opportunities and develop and coordinate efforts to secure funds as appropriate.
Lead grant application process and work with internal team and external stakeholders to gather materials and submit grant.
Coordinate information gathering with other WH departments and external resources to ensure grant application deadlines are met.
Submit grant application and follow up on status.
10% - Event Leadership
Identify strategy for member facing events.
Bring new perspective to ways to engage member businesses/commercial accounts to events.
Requirements
Education and Experience
Bachelors degree in Journalism, Communications, Business, Public Administration, Political Science, or related field
8+ years of project management experience
Experience using project management software and tools
Experience in energy or utilities industry
3+ years of community/government relations, public relations, or economic development

preferred
Grant writing experience

preferred
Licenses/Certificates
Valid MN state drivers license required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Strong project execution skills
Outstanding written communication skills and strong ability to craft compelling, commercially relevant messages
Critical thinker with strong problem-solving abilities
Organized, solid and proven project management disciplines
Proven experience developing and cultivating strong collaborative working relationships and credibility with geographically dispersed stakeholders at multiple levels
Ability to independently and proactively identify problems, propose solutions and execute

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