**Job Description** **WGL - Lead Public Affairs** Join the forefront of public policy and advocacy with Washington Gas! As a key representative, you’ll champion our interests before state and local governments, as well as influential business and trade organizations. Imagine crafting and executing a powerful annual public policy strategy and public affairs program that shapes legislative initiatives. You’ll be at the heart of strategic advocacy, working with dynamic business coalitions to drive impactful public policy outcomes. Your efforts will be pivotal in Virginia and other key jurisdictions, making a tangible difference in the community and beyond. **You Will:** + Conduct legislative and policy analysis to determine the impact on the company and develop public policy strategies + Coordinate the day-to-day execution of approved advocacy strategies before local legislative and executive branch audiences and Virginia to influence desired business outcomes + Establish and maintain key state and local public policy and business relationships for the Company + Develop strategies that may lead to new business opportunities for Washington Gas business units + Network with pertinent business organizations and industry advocates to anticipate and advise on emerging public policy issues and trends that may impact Washington Gas at the state and local government levels + Keep abreast of and disseminate information concerning state and local public policy and business initiatives affecting the Company + Maintain key internal relationships with Company business units + Provide policy analyses and action recommendations to senior company officials and executives + Serve as liaison to state and local elected officials and their staff on constituent service inquiries and address such inquiries timely and effectively + Negotiate external public affairs vendor agreements and manage external contract lobbyists + Assist in the strategy for public policy strategy in leading the company's public policy planning framework + Serve as the key lobbyists and point of contact for the state, and county-level policy strategies before Virginia, and local policy officials + Coordinate and provide recommendations and counsel to senior executives in coordinating public policy strategies. + Serve as liaison with local government and state agencies + Monitor bills, speeches, and statements of government leaders and legislators + Often serves as a witness in writing, reviewing, and testifying for hearings + Be recognized as an expert in your own area within the company on legislative challenges and recommendations + Act as a change agent for driving legislative and public policy agenda to enhance company objectives and strategy + Viewed as an advisor to legislative stakeholders on the company’s interests and questions + Acts as a mediator between legislators and constituents involving matters of company issues or concern **You Have:** + Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, Business Administration, or related field required + Master's Degree preferred + 7+ Years experience in state and community relations required + Demonstrated working knowledge of federal, state, and local legislative processes + Demonstrated ability to negotiate successfully with state and community leaders to achieve desired business outcomes. + Demonstrated ability to evaluate multiple scenarios and effectively solve broadly defined business problems + Demonstrated ability to present complex ideas logically and concisely to diverse audiences at all organizational levels both verbally and in writing + Demonstrated a high level of business acumen and knowledge of business strategy, process, and energy industry policy issues + Demonstrated ability to influence/win the support of government personnel and local and regional business representatives. We offer a competitive salary range of $130,500 to $179,625 per year, commensurate with experience, education, and skills. In addition, we provide a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. **For Canadian hires** : AltaGas hires personnel on the basis of job-related qualifications. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to a person's ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, record of offences, marital status, family status or disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. **For U.S. hires** : WGL/SEMCO/AltaGas offers a total rewards package that includes competitive pay, incentive bonus plans, holiday pay, 401K matching and a wide array of benefits. These benefits including medical, dental and vision coverage are designed to help you and your family stay healthy. We also have paid time off (PTO) to balance the demands of your work and personal life. Available benefits vary depending upon the specifics of the role. U.S. affiliates of AltaGas are committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical or mental disabilities, political affiliation, genetic information, status as a protected veteran or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. AltaGas is a leading energy infrastructure company with a footprint in some of North America’s most strategic energy markets. Our strategy is simple: to leverage the strength of our assets and expertise along the energy value chain to connect customers with premier energy solutions – from the well sites of upstream producers to the doorsteps of homes and businesses, and to new markets around the world.