Strategic Partnerships Program Manager

Our present and future success depends on the creative and dedicated people of our company who demonstrate the principles outlined in the APS Promise: Design for Tomorrow, Empower Each Other and Succeed Together.  

Summary

Strategic Partnerships Program Manager | External Affairs

 
At APS, we believe strong community relationships are the foundation of a sustainable energy future. As a Strategic Partnerships Program Manager, you'll lead efforts to build and maintain trusted partnerships with Arizona communities and key constituencies. Your work will help strengthen APS's presence, foster collaboration, and ensure our outreach reflects the values and priorities of the communities we serve.

What your day would be like:

You are responsible for:

• Develop and Implement Strategies: Create and execute outreach plans that enhance APS's standing and engagement with Arizona communities.
• Build Relationships: Maintain strong, trusting connections with stakeholder groups and community leaders.
• Monitor and Respond: Track emerging issues within constituencies that may impact APS business or interests.
• Educate and Advocate: Share information on energy-related topics and APS initiatives to promote understanding and support.
• Collaborate Across Teams: Partner with internal departments and external organizations to manage strategic relationships and deliver measurable results.

Who we're looking for:

• Relationship Builder: Skilled at fostering trust and collaboration with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strategic Thinker: Ability to design and implement outreach strategies that align with business goals and community needs.
• Strong Communicator: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for engaging with varied audiences.
• Problem Solver: Adept at identifying issues and developing proactive solutions.
• Community Advocate: Passionate about creating positive impact and advancing Arizona's energy future.

Minimum Requirements

Strategic Partnerships Program Manager | External Affairs

• BA/BS degree
• PLUS eight (8) years experience in community development and/or community relations, communications or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Experience in coordination of community, non-profit and work-related events, programs and activities in support of a variety of constituencies.
• Organizational awareness and interpersonal communication skills, as well as public speaking, negotiation, presentation and writing skills.
• Ability to interpret business requirements and determine strategies and programs to support business needs.
• Strong project management and process improvement focus. 
  
  Preferred special skills, knowledge and experience:
  
  
• Prior leadership experience. Certificate in Corporate Community Involvement or Corporate Citizenship Management.
• Position involves statewide travel.

Major Accountabilities

1) Develop and maintain trusting relationships with Arizona constituencies. Maintain frequent quality contacts with community leaders. Perform service on relevant boards and represent APS at meetings and events.
2) Recommend strategies to enhance APS outreach to communities. Partner with APS departments (i.e. Customer Experience, Transmission & Distribution, Public Affairs, Economic Development) that support communities to develop integrated outreach plans. Engage regularly with the Employee Networking Groups. Collect and evaluate research data to inform company strategies. Benchmark successful outreach programs in the utility industry and in Arizona.
3) Continuously monitor for issues that may involve APS. Team with Public Policy, Customer and Operations, and others as necessary to resolve community issues or leverage opportunities. Conduct periodic needs assessments and evaluation for results. Participate in listening posts and provide feedback loop back to internal partners.
4) Educate communities on issues of importance to APS and Arizona's energy future. Maintain active social media presence as appropriate. Maintain list of key contacts for potential calls to action around issues. Serve as guest speaker at appropriate events.
5) Manage APS participation and presence at events and sponsorships. Develop and execute a strategy for community engagement.
6) Support APS management in the development and maintenance of strategic partnerships. Strengthen relationships between community leaders and APS leadership.
7) Prepare, recommend and oversee development of operating budgets. Monitor spending for adherence to budget; plans, develops and recommends plans to address variances.

Export Compliance / EEO Statement

This position may require access to and/or use of information subject to control under the Department of Energy's Part 810 Regulations (10 CFR Part 810), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730 through 774), or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter M Part 120) (collectively, 'U.S. Export Control Laws'). Therefore, some positions may require applicants to be a U.S. person, which is defined as a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), a Political Asylee, or a Refugee under the U.S. Export Control Laws. All applicants will be required to confirm their U.S. person or non-US person status. All information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws, and will be used in full compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors. For positions at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Stations (PVNGS) all openings will require applicants to be a U.S. person.

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates ('Pinnacle West') maintain a continuing policy of nondiscrimination in employment. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This policy of nondiscrimination shall include, but not be limited to, recruiting, hiring, promoting, compensating, reassigning, demoting, transferring, laying off, recalling, terminating employment, and training for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, disability, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other classification or characteristic protected by law.

For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to EEO is the Law poster. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of every person hired to work in the United States, refer to E-Verify poster. View the employee rights and responsibilities under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
In compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, the Company is committed to a work environment that is free from the effects of alcohol and controlled substances, and free from the abuse or inappropriate use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications. The Company requires employees to be subject to drug and alcohol testing that is job-related and consistent with business necessity, regulatory requirements and applicable laws.

Hybrid: Employees in hybrid roles work both in their home offices (virtually) and alongside their colleagues (in person). 

In order for employees to build strong relationships and to promote meaningful in-person interactions, hybrid employees are expected to work about 40% of their time in-person at an APS or other (non-home office) location. 

• Employees are expected to reside in Arizona (or New Mexico for Four Corners-based employees).  
• Working from a home office requires adequate technology and an appropriate ergonomic set up.  
• Role types are subject to change based on business need. 

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