Community and Economic Development Representative - Full-time

Connexus Energy has an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Community and Economic Development Representative. This position serves as a key public contact for Connexus and its reputation within the community, building and maintaining strong relationships throughout our service territory. This position offers a hybrid work environment, sharing time working in our office and your home office.

Based in Ramsey, Connexus Energy is Minnesota’s largest electric cooperative, providing electricity, renewable energy alternatives and related services to 145,000+ residential and commercial members just north of the Twin Cities. We offer a collaborative work environment with challenging and rewarding work, which provides for professional development and work-life balance in a highly technical, stable and innovative industry. We give back to the communities we have served for more than 80 years by embracing opportunities to volunteer, donate and support economic development. Our talented and friendly staff focuses on achieving our mission of powering our members and communities toward a smarter energy future with a passionate focus on affordability, innovation, safety, and grid reliability.

Key Responsibilities & Results:

• Act as a liaison and grow relationships with local cities, counties, state and economic development affiliates to influence, facilitate and support economic development within our service territory.
• Promote and provide leadership to cities that participate in the University of MN business retention and expansion (BR&E) program.
• Effectively manage multiple high value projects at a time.
• Provide information and/or make presentations to supervisors, boards, commissions, businesses, individuals and the general public on economic development issues, programs, services, and plans.
• Maintain relationships with key stake holders within the communities we serve to preserve the positive brand and image of Connexus Energy.
• Develop, execute and maintain business community relations to ensure adequate involvement/coverage throughout our service territory.
• Stay informed of important local issues and projects that impact Connexus Energy and the services provided (e.g., proposed ordinances or transportation concerns).
• Participate in and/or recruit employees to attend Connexus sponsored Community Events to enhance the relationships between Connexus and the community.
• Attend City Council, Area Chamber, and County Board meetings as needed.
• Maintain relationships with charitable organizations within the communities we serve, coordinating with the Connexus Foundation board to guide the charitable resources of the Foundation.

Required Education, Experience, Skills, and Talents:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, finance or related field
• Two or more years of economic development and marketing/public relations experience
• Previous experience with a customer relationship management tool
• Current and valid driver’s license
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills that build cooperation with internal/external stakeholders
• Skill in teamwork, flexibility, customer relations, analysis, and communication
• Proficient with Microsoft product suite (Word, Excel, Outlook. PowerPoint)

Preferred Education, Experience, Skills, and Talents:

• Knowledge of the utility industry/infrastructure and energy markets
• Knowledge of state & local economic development programs and incentives, as well as economic development organization and professional groups
• Skill in leadership and project management
• Skill in innovative decision making and problem solving

Pre-Employment Requirement: Employment is contingent upon successfully completing a pre-employment background check and drug screen.

Compensation: Connexus Energy offers employees a competitive base salary, an annual incentive, and an attractive benefits package including medical, dental, life, company provided disability insurance, generous company contribution and match to 401(k), tuition reimbursement and more.

An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer: Minorities, Women, Veterans, Disabilities

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or veteran status.