Sempra Energy

Federal Government Affairs Manager

Posted on: 18 Sep 2021

Washington, DC

Job Description

Job Description

Sempra is a California-based energy infrastructure company leading the energy transition and serving more consumers in North America than any other utility holding company. Our mission is to be North America's premier energy infrastructure company, delivering affordable, reliable and increasingly decarbonized energy to the markets we serve, including California, Texas, Mexico and global power generation markets. We have consistently been recognized for our leadership in sustainability, and diversity and inclusion. Our company is the only US utility company named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. We are also a member of the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index and recently named one of the "World's Most Admired Companies" for 2021 by Fortune Magazine, the eleventh consecutive year our company has received this honor. The Sempra companies' more than 19,000 employees are united by our vision to deliver energy with purpose and live our values every day – doing the right thing, championing people and shaping the future. Visit our sustainability report to learn more about our company, including our bold goals relating to achieving world class safety, championing people, driving resilient operations and enabling the energy transition: https://www.sempra.com/sustainability/sustainability-report.

A career at Sempra presents the opportunity to join a team with a unique combination of diverse expertise, top talent and strong management, who all set a powerful foundation for sustainable growth and a bright future.

Primary Purpose:

Participates in the execution of Sempra Energy's federal advocacy program as well as maintains strong strategic relationships with Members of Congress and their staff, Executive Branch offices, and specified federal agencies. Analyzes federal public policy as well as recommends positions and strategies that advance Sempra's business objectives. Works directly with business unit leaders and subject matter experts to identify legislative and regulatory risks and opportunities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Advocates on behalf of the company in Congress, and at executive branch offices and regulatory agencies except for FERC.  Builds and maintains strong relationships with legislative and regulatory leaders.
Supports internal process to track and assess legislative and regulatory policy. Analyzes risks and opportunities.  Assists with the development of policy positions and strategies to advance the interests of Sempra Energy and its business units.
Supports federal permitting for company infrastructure projects and other business initiatives.
Represents company at industry trade groups and develop extensive relationships with industry peers and other stakeholder groups.
Manages consultants and other external resources as assigned.
Integral to the planning and execution of Sempra Energy’s federal political and PAC strategy including budget draft, preparing funding requests, coordination and attendance at events.
Provides input to business unit leaders and subject matter experts on political risks and counsel Sempra business units on their governmental and regulatory strategies.
Performs other duties as assigned (no more than 5% of duties).

Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor's Degree in Law, political science, public administration and/or equivalent experience in governmental or regulatory affairs required.
Master's Degree in Law, political science, public administration and/or equivalent experience in governmental or regulatory affairs preferred.

Experience:

5+ years progressive experience in public policy and government affairs.
2+ years experience in the Energy sector preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Writing skills with the ability to synthesize complex legislative and regulatory concepts into understandable and relatable terms.
Negotiation skills aimed at bringing divergent opinions to the forefront to ensure understanding of all sides of an issue.
Public Speaking skills - must be able to make remarks at formal events and make keynote presentations, lead communications with and among key officials in a manner strategically directed toward achieving desired outcomes and bring together diverse stakeholders in a productive manner around priority issues.
Analytical skills - ability to detect, assess and seamlessly respond to challenging and potentially awkward situations in high profile settings.
Interpersonal skills - ability to build and maintain positive and productive working relationships with and among key stakeholders including elected and appointed officials of which some may hold an unfavorable view of the company or its priorities.
Influence and Strategy - ability to read an audience or group to understand risks and opportunities. Ability to negotiate and steer conversations to make all involved parties feel understood and respected while still pursuing key issues.

Other Qualifications:

Ability to travel overnight 20% via air, rail or car.
Ability to attend evening and weekend events.

Sempra Energy

San Diego, CA

Sempra Energy, together with its subsidiaries, invests in, develops, and operates energy infrastructure, as well as provides electric and gas services in the United States and internationally. The company’s San Diego Gas & Electric Company segment generates, transmits, and distributes electricity; and supplies natural gas. It provides electric services to a population of approximately 3.7 million and natural gas services to approximately 3.4 million of that population, covering a 4,100 square mile service territory in Southern California. Its Southern California Gas Company segment owns and operates a natural gas distribution, transmission, and storage system that supplies natural gas to a population of approximately 21.9 million, covering a 24,000 square mile service territory that encompasses Southern California and portions of central California. The company’s Sempra Texas Utility segment is involved in the regulated transmission and distribution of electricity serving approximately 3.6 million homes and businesses, and operating approximately 137,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines.

As of December 31, 2018, its transmission system included 16,000 circuit miles of transmission lines, 306 transmission stations, and 740 distribution substations; and distribution system consisted of 121,000 miles of overhead conductors and underground conductors. Sempra Energy’s Sempra Mexico segment develops, owns and operates, or holds interests in natural gas, electric, LNG, LPG, ethane, and liquid fuels infrastructure; and engages in the purchase of LNG, and purchase and sale of natural gas.

This segment operates a natural-gas-fired combined-cycle plant and two wind power generation facilities. Its assets/facilities consisted of 1,353 miles of natural gas transmission pipelines, 12 compressor stations, 139 miles of ethane pipelines, 118 miles of LPG pipelines, and 1 LPG storage terminal. The company was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.