📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Stakeholder Communications, Engagement & Key Projects Manager
🔹 Company: Dairyland Power Cooperative
🔹 Location: La Crosse, Wisconsin
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Utilities
🔹 Date Posted: May 27, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Mid-Level (5-10 years)
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading stakeholder communications and engagement for large transmission and generation projects
- Managing relationships with internal teams, external partners, and the public
- Developing and implementing comprehensive external affairs plans
- Collaborating with project managers and other departments to ensure messaging alignment
- Providing regular project status updates and communicating strategic plans to various stakeholders
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong background in communications, stakeholder engagement, and project management within the utility industry. A successful candidate will have a proven track record in managing complex projects and communicating effectively with diverse stakeholders.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead with a safety-first mindset and support new project communication planning and relationships associated with stakeholder engagement
✅ Develop, implement, and manage comprehensive external affairs plans and schedules focused on community outreach, stakeholder engagement, communications, education, advocacy, government affairs/relations, public relations, and messaging with external partners
✅ Coordinate joint public and press engagements with partner companies and act as Dairyland’s general liaison with news media, external stakeholders, and members of the public on matters directly related to the project(s)
✅ Collaborate with internal team members and project partners to ensure messaging alignment and close cooperation, and oversee costs, contracts, and schedules
✅ Effectively communicate with leadership team, board of directors, Dairyland Managers Association (DMA), and internal/external project teams, as well as other regional stakeholders to provide regular project status updates and ensure broad understanding of strategic plans
✅ Perform other internal and external public relations duties in coordination with other departments and project leadership, including research, planning, analysis, project work, member interface, media relations, and other duties as assigned
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of organization, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously. Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively under pressure are essential for success in this position.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in public relations, marketing, communications, or a related field
Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in communications, external affairs, community engagement, and/or government relations, with a comprehensive knowledge of the utility industry and preferred experience in major project communications management
Required Skills:
- Strong leadership and managerial attributes
- Proven safety-first leadership commitment
- Ability to communicate utility- and cooperative-related issues and challenges
- Excellent verbal, written, digital/social media, and interpersonal skills
- Organizational skills and attention to detail
- Judgment, instinct, tact, and courtesy in oral and written communications
- Highly proficient writing and editing skills using best English grammar and sentence construction, advanced composition techniques, journalistic standards, and AP style
- Ability to understand and interpret highly technical information and effectively communicate it to audiences of all ages
- Ability to professionally represent Dairyland in a variety of business, legislative, and public forums, potentially including the news media
- Solution-oriented, creative thinker and proven ability to motivate others, including teammates
- Ability to work effectively with peers and all levels of management to help shape positions on critical issues and plan and implement appropriate public affairs tactics
- Goal-oriented self-starter with initiative and ability to work with minimal supervision
- Ability to make decisions under pressure and manage stressful situations and shifting priorities
- Ability to collaborate with colleagues across functions and business lines and influence co-workers who are not direct reports
- Organizational skills necessary to plan, devise, and implement complex internal and external communication plans and outreach strategies
- Ability to quickly learn Dairyland policies and procedures
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in utility industry major project communications management
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a well-rounded communications professional with a strong background in stakeholder engagement, project management, and public relations. A successful candidate will have a proven track record in managing complex projects and communicating effectively with diverse stakeholders within the utility industry.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $114,900 - $172,400 per year (based on experience and qualifications)
Benefits:
- Health & Disability Benefits
- Life Insurance
- Generous 401(k) and Pension Plans
- Paid Time Off
- Robust Wellness Program
- Flexible Work Program
- Tuition Reimbursement
Working Hours: Full-time position with standard business hours, potentially requiring occasional overtime or on-call duties
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on the job description and industry standards for similar roles within the utility sector. The actual offer may vary depending on the candidate's unique blend of experience, educational background, and skill level.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Utilities, specifically electric power generation and transmission
Company Size: Medium (501-1,000 employees), which means the company has established processes and systems but still offers opportunities for growth and innovation
Founded: 1941, with a rich history of providing safe, reliable, sustainable, and affordable electricity to its cooperative members
Company Description:
- Dairyland Power Cooperative is a generation and transmission cooperative (G&T) that provides wholesale electrical requirements and other services for 24 electric distribution cooperatives and 17 municipal utilities in the Upper Midwest
- The company operates its business under the guidance of cooperative principles and holds true to four core values: innovation, accountability, integrity, and commitment to community
- Dairyland’s generating resources include coal, solar, wind, natural gas, hydro, and biogas, and it delivers electricity via nearly 3,200 miles of transmission lines and 300 substations located throughout its 44,500 square mile service area
Company Specialties:
- Electrical Energy
- Renewable Energy
- Cooperative Business
Company Website: http://www.DairylandPower.com
ASSUMPTION: Dairyland Power Cooperative is a well-established organization with a strong commitment to its cooperative members and the communities it serves. A successful candidate will align with the company's core values and be passionate about providing safe, reliable, and sustainable electricity.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level, with opportunities for growth and advancement within the company
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Director of Communications and will collaborate with various internal teams, external partners, and stakeholders
Work Arrangement: On-site, with the possibility of occasional remote work or hybrid arrangements for specific projects or tasks
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential advancement to senior-level positions within the communications or project management departments
- Opportunities to gain experience in various aspects of utility industry communications and project management
- Chance to work on high-impact projects that directly contribute to the company's mission and goals
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity for a mid-level communications professional to gain experience in the utility industry and make a significant impact on the company's success.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Corporate headquarters with a professional and collaborative work environment
Office Location(s): 3200 East Avenue, S, PO Box 817, La Crosse, WI 54602-0817, US
Geographic Context:
- La Crosse, Wisconsin, is located in the western part of the state, along the Mississippi River
- The city offers a mix of urban and rural living, with a population of approximately 52,000 people
- La Crosse has a humid continental climate, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters
Work Schedule: Standard business hours, with the possibility of occasional overtime or on-call duties to support project needs
ASSUMPTION: The La Crosse office provides a professional and collaborative work environment, with opportunities for growth and development within the company.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening with the HR department
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
- Final interview with the Director of Communications
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills, both written and verbal
- Project management experience and skills
- Industry knowledge and understanding of utility-specific communications
- Cultural fit and alignment with company values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of the utility industry and Dairyland Power Cooperative's mission and values
- Prepare examples of your communication and project management skills to discuss during the interview
ATS Keywords: Stakeholder engagement, public relations, communications, project management, utility industry, community outreach, government relations, media relations, team collaboration, budget management, written communication, verbal communication, research skills, analytical skills, leadership, problem-solving, organizational skills
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is competitive, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their skills and experience in a variety of assessment areas.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Asana, Trello)
- Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., email, instant messaging platforms, video conferencing)
- Industry-specific software and tools (e.g., utility-specific project management platforms, regulatory compliance tools)
ASSUMPTION: This role requires proficiency in various communication and project management tools, as well as an understanding of industry-specific software and platforms.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Innovation: Encouraging creativity, continuous learning, and improvement
- Accountability: Taking responsibility for one's actions and delivering on commitments
- Integrity: Acting with honesty, fairness, and transparency in all aspects of work
- Commitment to Community: Fostering strong relationships with members, partners, and the communities served
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented, with a focus on collective success
- Results-driven, with a strong commitment to delivering high-quality work
- Adaptable and responsive to changing priorities and project needs
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Dairyland Power Cooperative's core values, and how have you demonstrated these values in your previous roles?
- How do you approach building and maintaining strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, including internal teams, external partners, and the public?
- How do you balance multiple projects and priorities, and how do you ensure that you are effectively communicating with all relevant stakeholders?
ASSUMPTION: A successful candidate will demonstrate a strong alignment with Dairyland Power Cooperative's core values and possess excellent communication, project management, and stakeholder engagement skills.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing complex projects with tight deadlines and multiple stakeholders
- Communicating technical information to non-technical audiences, including the public and media
- Navigating regulatory requirements and public sentiment related to utility projects
- Adapting to changes in project scope, priorities, or timelines
ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges that require a proactive, adaptable, and solutions-oriented approach to project management and stakeholder engagement.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to related roles in public relations or communications, this position focuses more on project management and stakeholder engagement within the utility industry
- Utility-specific knowledge and experience are crucial for success in this role, as opposed to more general communications or public relations positions
- Career progression in this role may lead to senior-level positions within the communications or project management departments, rather than transitioning to a different functional area
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of communications, project management, and stakeholder engagement skills, with a focus on the utility industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Managing communications and stakeholder engagement for a major transmission line expansion project
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive public relations plan for a new renewable energy generation facility
- Collaborating with internal teams and external partners to ensure consistent messaging and outreach for a large-scale infrastructure project
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the diverse range of responsibilities and stakeholders involved in this role, requiring a well-rounded skill set and strong project management skills.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the most challenging project you've managed, and how you overcame any obstacles or setbacks?
- How do you approach building and maintaining strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, including internal teams, external partners, and the public?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to communicate complex technical information to a non-technical audience, and how you ensured that your message was understood?
- How do you prioritize and manage multiple projects and priorities, and how do you ensure that you are effectively communicating with all relevant stakeholders?
- What steps do you take to stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices in utility communications and project management?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions will help you better understand the role's requirements, the company's culture, and the expectations for success in this position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role, emphasizing your understanding of the utility industry and Dairyland Power Cooperative's mission and values
- Prepare examples of your communication and project management skills to discuss during the interview
- Follow up with the HR department one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
