Director Community Relations

The Director of Community Relations is a strategic leadership position responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive, multi-state community relations strategy that supports CenterPoint Energy's business objectives, strengthens the company's reputation, builds community trust, and fosters lasting relationships across the diverse communities it serves. 

Reporting to the Vice President of Community Relations & Executive Director, Corporate Foundation, the Director will provide strategic direction and operational leadership for the company's community relations efforts and field-based team across multiple states and markets. The role will ensure consistent execution of community engagement strategies while recognizing the unique priorities, opportunities, and needs within individual communities.

The Director will partner closely with business leaders and cross-functional teams to connect community engagement, strategic community investment, sponsorships, and outreach activities with broader business priorities, including customer engagement, community vitality, economic development, workforce development, infrastructure investment, company growth, and reputation. 

The successful candidate will be a strategic, collaborative and results-oriented leader with demonstrated experience leading teams, building influential external relationships, navigating complex community issues, and translating enterprise priorities into meaningful local strategies and measurable community outcomes. 

• Develop and implement a comprehensive, multi-state community relations strategy aligned with CenterPoint Energy's business objectives, customer priorities, reputation goals, and long-term growth strategy. 

• Translate enterprise priorities into actionable regional and local community engagement strategies that address the unique characteristics and needs of individual communities. 

• Identify opportunities to strengthen CenterPoint Energy's presence and relationships in existing communities as well as markets experiencing significant economic, population or infrastructure growth. 

• Establish goals and performance indicators to measure the effectiveness and impact of community relations initiatives. Monitor community trends, emerging issues and stakeholder concerns and provide leadership with strategic insights and recommendations. 

• Provide strategic direction, leadership and oversight for a geographically dispersed community relations team operating across multiple states and markets. 

• Establish clear expectations, accountability and consistent operating practices while maintaining the flexibility necessary to address local community needs. 

• Build and develop a high-performing, collaborative team focused on strategic engagement, relationship management and measurable outcomes. 

• Coach and develop team members to strengthen strategic thinking, stakeholder management and the ability to connect local community initiatives with enterprise objectives. Promote collaboration, knowledge sharing and alignment of community relations strategies across regions. 

• Develop, strengthen and maintain strategic relationships with key stakeholders, including civic and business leaders, nonprofit and community organizations, economic development organizations, local government officials and other influential community partners. 

• Guide regional community relations efforts to build trusted relationships that strengthen CenterPoint Energy's reputation and advance long-term business priorities. 

• Develop targeted engagement strategies for growth markets, emerging communities and areas undergoing significant economic or infrastructure development. Direct and support community outreach activities, including community meetings, open houses, informational sessions, civic events and employee volunteer opportunities. 

• Represent CenterPoint Energy at community, civic and business events as appropriate. Identify emerging community issues, risks and opportunities that may impact customers, company operations, infrastructure projects or the company's reputation. 

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive professional experience in community relations, external affairs, corporate philanthropy, public affairs, stakeholder engagement or a related function. Demonstrated leadership experience managing and developing teams, preferably including geographically dispersed teams operating across multiple states or markets. 

• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic community relations plans aligned with organizational and business objectives. 

• Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining relationships with senior civic, community, business, nonprofit and government stakeholders.

• Strong understanding of corporate philanthropy, Foundation giving, strategic sponsorships and community investment. Demonstrated ability to balance enterprise-wide priorities with the diverse needs and interests of local communities. 

• Strong business acumen, executive presence, communication, organizational and stakeholder-management skills. Experience establishing performance measures and evaluating the effectiveness and impact of community engagement programs.