State Government Relations Manager

First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.

Basic Job Functions:

We are seeking a strategic and proactive Manager of State Government Relations to manage and advance our state-level legislative and regulatory priorities across key jurisdictions. This role will be responsible for tracking all relevant actions, building and maintaining relationships with state policymakers, agencies, and stakeholders, while ensuring alignment with the organization's broader government affairs strategy.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in political science, public policy, law, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 5 plus years of experience in state government legislative staff or state government legislative advocacy.
• Experience monitoring state legislation and policy activities, updating and advising on relevant policy proposals and actions, and working with colleagues to analyze potential impacts on the organization's issue areas.
• Strong understanding of state legislative and regulatory processes.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Knowledge of state legislative processes, agencies, procedures.
• Working knowledge of renewable energy technologies.
• Proven leadership track record and relationships with state government agencies and administrations.
• Proactive and motivated to deliver key business objectives.
• Ability to work across the aisle.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong public speaking, presentation and advocacy skills.
• Ability to simultaneously manage multiple high-priority initiatives.
• Strong critical thinking skills with ability to identify and solve problems.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive and proprietary information.
• Exceptional customer service skills.
• Proficient use of all Microsoft Office suite programs.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with proven ability to prioritize, multi-task, and re-prioritize assignments while working both independently or within a team.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively during legislative time periods, and as needed during non-legislative time periods, often with little notice.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute state government relations strategies that support the organization's policy goals.
• Monitor, analyze, and report on state legislative and regulatory developments that may impact the organization.
• Represent the organization before state legislatures, regulatory bodies, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with state elected officials, staff, and key influencers.
• Collaborate with internal teams to assess policy impacts and coordinate advocacy efforts.
• Draft policy briefs, testimony, and other advocacy materials.
• Support coalition-building efforts with industry partners, trade associations, and advocacy groups.
• Assist the Director of Government Relations in developing strategic plans and reporting outcomes to senior leadership.
• Hosts plant tours with state officials and other key stakeholders.
• Prepares regular reports and briefings for internal stakeholders.
• Identifies and seek out opportunities to represent the company and industry in ad hoc multi agency and/or stakeholder working groups.
• As needed, represents First Solar in meetings with project/community stakeholders, in support of key customers/customer projects.
• Maintain subject matter expertise on First Solar's technology, differentiation, and the company's commitment to responsible solar.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports to Director of Government Relations.
• This position will not have direct reports.

Travel:

• 75% or More

Estimated Salary Range:

• $112,300-$160,000 Annually.

US Physical Requirements:

All positions in our office require interaction with people and technology while either standing or sitting. To best service our customers, internal and external, all associates must be able to communicate face-to-face and on the phone with or without reasonable accommodation. First Solar is committed to compliance with its obligations under all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. In keeping with this commitment, it attempts to reasonably accommodate applicants and employees in accordance with the requirements of the disability discrimination laws. It also invites individuals with disabilities to participate in a good faith, interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations that can be made without imposing an undue hardship.

Potential candidates will meet the education and experience requirements provided on the above job description and excel in completing the listed responsibilities for this role. All candidates receiving an offer of employment must successfully complete a background check and any other tests that may be required.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: First Solar is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company.