Project Manager - Project Outreach (Vegetation Management Support)

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Job description

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As part of a project-based matrixed organization and working with Transmission Vegetation Management (TVM) team members, subject matter experts (SMEs), other Eversource departments and external stakeholders, develop and manage stakeholder outreach strategies and tactics in support of TVM Projects. Responsible for developing and managing the coordination, timing and execution of specialized stakeholder outreach plans and working with a team of Arborists, Field Supervisors, and Field Outreach representatives that are the designated liaisons between targeted property owners, other stakeholders and Project Teams/SMEs for a portfolio of projects. Work with right-of-way (ROW) work coordination team to identify capitalize on operational synergies, avoid collateral damage, increase field productivity, facilitate adherence to permit requirements and customer commitments, and speak with one Eversource "voice" in the eyes of our customers, municipal leaders, regulators and other influential stakeholders. Work with the TVM team to manage and mitigate risk to the projects' scope, schedule and cost due to stakeholder intervention.

Project support may be required in any of the three states in Eversource's footprint but primary responsibilities for this position resides in eastern Massachusetts/New Hampshire.

Essential Functions:

* For multiple TVM work activities in the Eversource rights-of-way, work with the Project teams to create and manage the implementation of specific outreach strategies and tactics applicable to all stakeholders, including property owners, municipal officials, regulators, legislators, and/or advocacy groups, collaborating with respective SMEs, e.g., Project Services colleagues, Community Relations, Corp Communications, Media Relations, Gov't Affairs, Regulatory, Environmental, Real Estate, etc., as needed.
* Provide guidance on response to escalated stakeholder issues and manage these issues to resolution, updating upper management and other interested and affected stakeholders, as appropriate, to minimize risk to the project and potential for further escalation.
* Participate in field constructability reviews/site walkdowns to assess project risk and property/community impacts, and aide in the development of impact mitigation plans, outreach strategy and associated tactics; and assess required level of outreach support.
* Coordinate Project Impact Mitigation and participate in the ROW Coordination processes with Project Leads and others, as needed, to ensure consistency of messaging for all stakeholders - e.g., municipal, NGOs, property owners, etc. - and mitigate property owner/community work fatigue.
* Manage Project-related interactions with local elected and other officials, i.e., municipal CEO and staff, working with Project Service's colleagues, Community Relations and others as needed; and maintain communications with municipal leaders in order to identify opportunities/means to address municipal project-related concerns.
* Develop project-specific, nuanced messaging and related materials for affected property owners, municipal leaders, and other stakeholders, ensuring alignment with Corporate messaging. Develop and manage timing of release of all project-based collateral materials, Project web pages (as needed), and correspondence to affected stakeholders.
* Work with the TVM Project team members to ensure compliance with non-regulatory commitments and agreements made with affected stakeholders, e.g., property or business owner, municipality, etc., pursuant to project work activities, including but not limited to:
* Abutting property owner issue management
* Access issues
* Work hours
* Restoration of impacted properties
* Potential business interruption
* Property damage

* Work with Company subject matter experts, e.g., Project Management, Siting, Environmental, Real Estate, Community Relations and others as needed, to develop necessary presentations and project materials to support liaison responsibilities.
* Manage development of "focus area" and "special attention property" lists to anticipate and accommodate property and community impacts, issues, concerns, inquiries, and complaints, abutting proper owners and other residents/businesses, NGOs, etc., that inevitably will arise during vegetation management work.
* Work with internal SMEs to organize the public logistics associated with permitting and hearings, as appropriate.
* Work with TVM leadership and manage ongoing training of all field contractors (e.g., survey, environmental, clearing, etc.) to ensure compliance with project standards related public interactions, permitting/siting requirements (e.g., access, work hours), local municipal agreements, and individual residential and business accommodations.
* Mitigate project-related issues regarding property damage, perceived property value impacts, business interruption and other concerns using the established dispute resolution process and/or work with Legal and Insurance, as needed due to escalation, to help manage resolution through the corporate Claims process.
* This role may be asked to support other project related work outside of Vegetation Management based on department workload and priorities.

Technical Knowledge/Skill/Education/Licenses/Certifications:

Technical Knowledge/Skills:

* Strong leadership capabilities; ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
* Strong ability to provide both strategic insight and perform detail-based analysis
* Demonstrated ability to anticipate problems, and influence outcomes
* Demonstrated ability to influence group or corporate culture.
* Proven track record in planning, coordinating, and managing diverse projects
* Ability to interact effectively with property owners, businesses, municipal officials, business organizations, environmental groups, and community-based organizations
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills
* Foundational understanding of electric transmission and distribution rights-of-way and vegetation management concepts.
* Experience in management and oversight of contractors preferred
* Experience in vegetation management preferred
* Bilingual English / Spanish preferred but not required.

Education:

Requires a Bachelor's Degree in Vegetation Management, Business Administration, Marketing, Business Management, Communications or similar.

Experience:

Minimum of five years utility, vegetation management, community outreach, project management or related experience. Stakeholder relationship-building, personnel management and team building experience preferred.

Vaccination Information:

Eversource requires an individual who is newly hired into the company to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by their first day of employment. If you have any concerns regarding compliance with this requirement, you will need to discuss your concerns with Eversource's HR department after a decision has been made about whether or not to make you a conditional offer of employment. Eversource does not require applicants to discuss vaccination status prior to receipt of a conditional offer of employment and complies with all applicable laws requiring reasonable accommodation.

Emergency Response:

Responding to emergency situations to meet customers' needs is part of every employee's role. If employed, you will be given an Emergency Restoration assignment. This means you may be called to assist during an emergency outside of your normal responsibilities, work hours and location.

Working Conditions:

* Project support may be required in any of the three states in Eversource's footprint but primary responsibilities for this position resides in [New Hampshire].
* Must be available to work emergency storm assignment as required.
* Must be available to travel between MA/CT/NH as necessary.

Leadership Behaviors/Competencies:

Set and Communicate Direction and Priorities

* Know the business plan and how your role connects to it
* Identify problems, issues; take responsibility for resolution
* Set high standards for self; deliver quality performance
* Raise ideas for improvement
* Communicate, communicate, communicate

Build Trusting Relationships

* Follow through on commitments made to manager, colleagues, and customers.
* Address difficult or controversial issues and encourage others to do the same.
* Have honest dialogue with others

Manage and Develop People

* Set performance goals that align with department and company goals
* Meet regularly with your supervisor/manager to discuss your performance
* Seek opportunities to develop skills and gain knowledge through on the job opportunities, i.e. working on projects, attending meetings, etc.

Foster Teamwork and Cross-functional Collaboration

* Work collaboratively within and across the organization to achieve "One Company" and other goals
* Recognize and address cross functional implications of your work

Create a Diverse, Inclusive Workforce

* Incorporate the diverse ideas and perspectives of team, colleagues, and customers in your work

Lead Change

* Proactively seek out opportunities to improve business performance and customer service.
* Respond positively to new demands or circumstances
* Exhibit a "can-do" attitude to support changes in priorities and work processes

Focus on the Customer

* Deliver superior service to our customers, both internal and external, in a reliable, attentive, courteous, quality, proactive and timely manner

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