Director, Business & Public Affairs

Closes: November 11, 2024
Starting Range: $137,113 to $181,674
Full Range: $137,113 to $203,955

Job Description

Develops and directs the company’s internal and external long-term business and community development strategies and goals with key stakeholders. Plans, organizes and executes economic vitality and policy activities that protect and/or support customer affordability and thriving communities. Manages complex issues and implements ventures with multi-million-dollar impact on the company and communities served. Works locally, regionally, and nationally with executive leadership to position the service area for business expansions or relocation. Works with key business leadership, governments, sovereign nations and political leaders throughout the service area on strategic initiatives that foster a vibrant economy. These include supporting partnerships in the Scott Morris Innovation Lab and Eco district. Manages economic vitality business initiatives for the purpose of building Avista’s presence and partnerships in the communities it serves.

Strategically manages the team to develop and implement revenue, growth, business development, emergency operational risks and retention strategies involving our largest-use and most complex commercial and industrial customer accounts. Manage and build trust-based relationships within those companies, particularly with senior-level executive management. Must develop a thorough understanding of industry segments, factors influencing each customer’s business, economic policies, as well as pricing and regulatory impacts. Must possess refined consultative negotiation skills to develop and sustain successful relationships and negotiate win-win outcomes around a multitude of complex industry and operational issues.

Principal Accountabilities

Directs business opportunities and risks, seeks mutually beneficial solutions with communities served, and contributes to the successful achievement of corporate strategies and goals. Directs the development and implementation of long-term strategies to help ensure the economic health and vitality of the Avista service area and coordinates with internal stakeholders.

Oversees, plans, organizes, and executes various economic development and corporate policy initiatives, ventures, and deliverables from inception to finished product. Negotiates contracts that leverage and optimize company assets as well as support key accounts.

Builds and sustains relationships with local, state, and regional elected officials as well as senior government, business, and civic leaders with the objective of monitoring and influencing issues, regulations, and policies pertinent to the company’s strategic and operational goals. Represents Avista on the governing boards of state-wide, local, and regional organizations.

Develops broad-based key strategic community relationships to build knowledge, visibility, and reputation as an expert in community needs and challenges related to the company’s external focus areas of reasonable local policies, strategic initiatives, and economic and cultural vitality. Represents Avista through strategic involvement in relevant community organizations and initiatives.

Directs business opportunities and risks, seeks mutually beneficial solutions with communities served, and contributes to the successful achievement of corporate strategies and goals. Directs the development and implementation of long-term strategies to help ensure the economic health and vitality of the Avista service area and coordinates with internal stakeholders.

Successfully negotiates customer contracts on behalf of Avista to attract and retain customers, protect long-term demand for Avista products and services, and sustain long-term competitive pricing for the customer.

Strategize and coordinate all Avista corporate contact with the assigned customers by other departments to ensure service continuity, the availability of pricing and service options, and the delivery of unique and/or creative energy efficiency options.

Develop an in-depth knowledge of energy-reliant processes employed by our largest customers/industry segments to include gathering competitive market intelligence, identifying decision makers and influencers, tracking economic and political impacts, and identify, analyze, and recommend cost-effective alternatives employing Avista services.

Manages personnel including hiring, performance management, coaching, employee engagement, continuous education, training, and development including responsibility for the department budget.

Establishes and maintains close working relationships with other functional directors to maintain alignment with the strategic direction of the overall company.

Creates and implements systems and processes that monitor work to ensure that continuous quality service is delivered to all internal and external customers.

Fosters a positive and supportive work environment; promotes equity, inclusion, diversity, and belonging in the workplace; and contributes to an environment of mutual respect.

Perform other duties as assigned. Job duties are subject to change as directed by management.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university in business, marketing, political science, community development, or related field required. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of account executive, professional sales, or customer relations experience, plus specialized training or experience in commercial and industrial plant processes and equipment.
• 10 years’ experience in economic development policy and/or strategic development required.
• Applicable experience includes business recruitment skills and techniques, marketing and promotion skills, financial feasibility, pro forma analysis, current economic trends, economic forecasting, applicable laws, codes, and regulations concerning land use and the development process.
• Demonstrated proficient ability to supervise personnel, resolve conflicts, motivate community stakeholders, and manage and execute multiple projects simultaneously required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and effective interpersonal communication skills required.
• Advanced analytical and communication skills (both verbal and written) to comprehend, interpret, and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to influence others, negotiate to a successful resolution, and engage in effective problem-solving required.

Other combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Hybrid work options are available for this role. The successful candidate will be required to work at our Spokane, Washington headquarters at least 3 days per week including Mondays and Tuesdays with an additional day determined by the employee and manager.

To Apply
We encourage you to apply as many of our positions have step progressions to account for an incoming employee’s various levels of knowledge, skills, and experience.

Complete an online application and attach your resume and cover letter to your profile. All documents must be attached to your application at the time of submitting your application for review. No documents can be attached after you click "Submit".

Benefits
At Avista, we believe our employees are essential. Through them we deliver value to our customers and the communities we serve. The physical, mental, and financial health and well-being of our employees and their families are important to us. We are committed to offering a comprehensive total rewards program comprised of an externally competitive, internally equitable compensation structure and a benefits package that allows us to retain and attract a diverse, engaged, and skilled workforce. Our benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage, retirement benefits, incentive plans, wellness resources, time-off programs and much more. In addition to our total rewards program, the Pacific Northwest offers abundant outdoor recreation, four distinct seasons, and all the amenities and activities an individual or family might be interested in. To learn more, please visit our benefits website at https://avistabenefits.com/.

Pre-employment screening requirements
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a drug test, background check and motor vehicle records review.

Avista’s Commitment to Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
Avista is a safe, inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds, and we are committed to Equal Opportunity Employment, Affirmative Action efforts, and Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity. We strongly encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, protected veterans, and all others. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, sensory, mental or physical disability (unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification), Veteran status or any other classification protected by nondiscrimination laws.

Equity and diversity in our workplace is important to us. Please view the Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you require any special accommodations to participate fully in our recruitment process. Avista will make reasonable accommodations to assist a qualified person with a disability in the job application, and interview process, and to perform the essential functions of the job whenever possible, where undue hardship would not be created for Avista. Please contact us at humanresources@avistacorp.com if you would like assistance.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)