New York Indigenous Communities Liaison

At National Grid, we keep people connected and society moving. But it's so much more than that. National Grid supplies us with the environment to make it happen. As we generate momentum in the energy transition for all, we don't plan on leaving any of our customers in the dark. So, join us as a New York Indigenous Communities Liaison, and find your superpower.

National Grid is hiring a New York Indigenous Communities Liaison for our Social Impact and Community Engagement team. This position can be located in Albany, NY, Syracuse, NY or Buffalo, NY.

The New York Indigenous Communities Liaison will serve as a key representative of National Grid, fostering meaningful engagement and partnerships with Indigenous communities across New York State. In this role, the Liaison will work with National Grid to improve upon and maintain respectful and cooperative relationships with federally and state recognized tribes in National Grid's New York footprint and explore opportunities to generally support these communities. The Liaison will provide valuable insights to senior leaders and ensure that all activities are aligned with the company's values and strategic objectives. This position will address a broad spectrum of needs within Indigenous communities, including fostering connections, supporting complex projects, facilitating employment and training opportunities, assisting with bill payment, and supporting diverse customer service requirements. (PSC research requests)

Establishing and maintaining relationships with Indigenous communities requires a deliberate and culturally empathetic approach. Interactions between corporate organizations and Tribal Leaders must be conducted with the highest degree of respect and sensitivity. These relationships should reflect a deep understanding of the historical context and the unique governance structures of each nation. Furthermore, it is essential to recognize and honor the varying degrees of sovereignty exercised by tribes across New York State, ensuring that all engagement is both empathetic and aligned with their level of sovereignty.

* Foster mutually beneficial relationships with local Indigenous nations in a broad context.

* Align communications initiatives collaboratively with Indigenous nations.

* Identify and evaluate the needs and strengths of Indigenous communities, determining how National Grid can best support them to establish effective partnerships.

* Liaise with regional external affairs managers to pinpoint engagement opportunities and deliver relevant metrics.

* Assess and recommend sponsorship opportunities that align with organizational objectives, working in conjunction with the Social Impact Centre of Excellence when appropriate.

* Provide senior leadership with community insights to guide engagement strategies and inform decision-making processes.

* Monitor and report on progress against KPIs, delivering regular updates to leadership and supporting comprehensive performance reporting (e.g., BRM).

* Participate in community and volunteer events, including those held outside standard business hours.

* Demonstrated ability to build and maintain constructive relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Candidate must have experience in developing culturally empathetic relationships with Indigenous communities

* Experience resolving issues and concerns through proactive engagement.

* Collaborative experience within a large, complex organisation, delivering integrated campaigns.

* Ability to manage multiple priorities while upholding high standards aligned with company values.

* Strong communication skills for diverse audiences.

* Experience managing stakeholder engagement and community initiatives.

* Highly organized with strong attention to detail.

* Results-oriented and adaptable to change and ambiguity.

* Ability to build internal networks and communicate effectively.

* BA/BS preferred, with a focus in Native American or Indigenous studies, anthropology, public policy, public administration, environmental studies, or related field.

* At least five years of relevant work experience, preferably in government, community development, non-profit sectors, or other external-facing professions.

* Demonstrated commitment and experience with Indigenous Communities.

* Willingness and ability to travel throughout New York and occasionally outside the region.

* This is not a traditional Monday to Friday, 9-5 role; there is a clear expectation to work outside regular business hours to meet community needs and attend events as required.

* Excellent communication skills and the ability to facilitate understanding among people with varying technical and cultural knowledge and perspectives.

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