NextGen Highways Project Manager

Program/Role: NextGen Highways Project Manager

Location: WFH Flexible, Minneapolis, MN. GPI’s headquarters are based at 2801 21st Avenue South, Suite 220 in Minneapolis, MN.

Reports to: Energy Systems Senior Policy Manager

Type of Position: Full time position

Ideal start date: As soon as available, position will be open until filled

Compensation: Salary range: $80K-$93K, commensurate with experience. Benefits include a health plan, 401(k) retirement plan, LTD, STD, life, vision, dental, FSA/HSA, paid time off, professional development allowance, and a communication stipend.

ABOUT THE GREAT PLAINS INSTITUTE

A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, the Great Plains Institute (GPI) is transforming the energy system to benefit people, the economy, and the environment. Increased demand for GPI’s unique blend of energy expertise and consensus-derived solutions has driven organizational and programmatic growth. With headquarters in Minnesota, GPI’s operations are national in scope while retaining a core competency in the Midcontinent region. GPI is powered by more than 60 professionals and is supported by some of the nation’s most respected philanthropies. 

The following values inform the way we work both inside and outside of GPI. It is important to us to be trusted, inclusive, equitable, pragmatic, and transformative:

Trusted. We base our approach and actions on trust, mutual respect, and accountability. 

Inclusive. We achieve impact through inclusive and deliberate collaboration with a diversity of interests.

Equitable. We strive for equity in our approach and outcomes.

Pragmatic. We take a clear-eyed view of the world as it is, even as we seek to improve it.

Transformative. We are a bold and passionate catalyst for change.

ENERGY SYSTEMS PROGRAM AREA

NextGen Highways is supported by GPI’s Energy Systems Team. The Energy Systems program area is focused on decarbonizing the economy by enabling collaboration and problem solving among electric and natural gas utilities and market operators, regulators, environmental advocates, consumer advocates, state and local governments, businesses, and other key stakeholders.

We work with groups of state governor’s offices and environmental and energy regulators to develop and implement decarbonization plans; within the Midcontinent Independent Systems Operator stakeholder process on market rules and the transmission build-out; with states, utilities, and other interests to align utility business models with an affordable, reliable, and net-zero greenhouse gas energy system; with states, local governments, and other key actors to bring down the implementation costs of net-zero greenhouse gas technologies and increase consumer demand for net-zero greenhouse gas resources.

We foster collaboration and problem solving through complex stakeholder engagement processes. These often involve groups of 20-100 stakeholders that meet regularly over several months to develop a shared understanding of energy and climate policy and technology issues, discuss varying perspectives on those issues, and collaborate to identify actions to address those issues.

Our team has a fast-paced entrepreneurial culture in which people enjoy both great freedom and great responsibility. People who thrive in this culture take personal responsibility for seeing what needs doing and getting it done. They are self-starters, problem-solvers, and quick to help others. They work hard because they believe in the mission and get to spend most of their time at the intersection of what they love to do and are good at. It’s a working environment in which performance is judged more on results than on time spent in a chair. We are committed to building a diverse staff and strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. We aspire to make this the best job anyone has ever had.

OVERVIEW 

NextGen Highways seeks a Manager to support our growing work across the United States. The Manager will be responsible for external engagement and outreach with Coalition members, stakeholders and policymakers, along with supporting public relations and communications efforts to advance the deployment of co-located electric transmission and telecommunications infrastructure in the nation’s highway rights-of-way. 

NextGen Highways is convened by the Great Plains Institute (GPI), and the successful candidate will be a GPI employee, subject to its policies and practices. The Great Plains Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer, is committed to building a diverse staff and welcomes a wide diversity of applicants.

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Lead effective integration of the NGH’s public relations, marketing, communications and social media strategies and activities with its external education, outreach and advocacy efforts.
• Plan and organize external meetings, briefings, and other events.
• Oversee maintenance of a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) database for use by NGH staff to track and manage stakeholder outreach and education efforts.
• Support NGH social media engagement, blog posts, and other publications and website maintenance.
• Work closely with NGH staff and partners to help develop and enact policy strategy and anticipate policy opportunities. 
• Maintain and build new relationships and partnerships with state and federal policy makers, staff, regulatory officials, utilities, NGO, community-based organizations, transmission developers, transportation network providers, and other key stakeholders.
• Work with staff to identify and reach out to stakeholders for participation in national NGH Coalition and in state-based NGH Coalitions.
• Develop, coordinate, and implement education and outreach strategies and activities to engage policy makers, regulators, and key constituency groups. 
• Support budgeting, recruitment, fundraising, and other strategic activities to enhance the Coalition’s capacity and impact. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Bachelor’s Degree or relevant proven skills and experience.
• Prior experience (3+ years) working on project management, public relations, government relations, or similar.
• Experience, professional or otherwise, coordinating stakeholders in coalitions, organizing events, and attending meetings or public events on behalf of an organization.
• Demonstrated willingness and ability to work collaboratively and effectively with very diverse individuals and institutions, including those with whom you may personally disagree. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• High attention to detail and ability to work independently and with colleagues in remote locations.
• Excellent time and deadline management, project management and team relationship skills. 
• Knowledge of or prior experience with climate, energy and/or environmental issues a plus.
• Experience with campaign strategy and execution in public policy, political and/or other contexts a plus.

EQUIPMENT USED:

This position involves use of a desktop computer and/or laptop, copier, fax machine, calculator, printer, and telephone.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT:

This position requires working at a desk (either sitting or standing) for extended periods and extensive use of devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse), as well as usage of telephone/headset.

HOW TO APPLY:

Required application materials include a resume and one-page cover letter. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

BACKGROUND ON GREAT PLAINS INSTITUTE:

GPI has a fast-paced entrepreneurial culture in which people enjoy both great freedom and great responsibility. People who thrive in this culture take personal responsibility for seeing what needs doing and getting it done. They are initiative-takers, problem-solvers, and quick to help others. They work hard because they believe in the mission and get to spend most of their time at the intersection of what they love to do and are good at. It’s a working environment in which performance is judged more on results than on time spent in a chair. We aspire to make this the best job anyone has ever had.

The Great Plains Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes a wide diversity of applicants.