Lead Associate, Stakeholder Relations - Central Region at AES

Job description

Are you ready to be part of a company that's not just talking about the future, but actively shaping it? Join The AES Corporation, the largest US-based global power company with a team of 8,300 employees across 12 countries. AES has been ranked #1 by BloombergNEF in renewable energy sales to corporations in the US and Americas for five consecutive years, providing electricity for millions of people worldwide. We are proud to foster a strong workplace culture, earning prominent positions in Great Place to Work™ rankings across the markets where we operate. AES was also named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the 13th consecutive year in 2026, highlighting our dedication to integrity, transparency, and responsible business practices. Our spirit of innovation continues to earn industry recognition. AES is the only seven-time winner of the Edison Electric Institute’s Edison Awards in the twenty-first century, a distinction honoring global leadership in advancing the electric power industry. If you're ready to be part of a company that's not just adapting to change, but driving it, AES is the place for you. We're not just building a more sustainable future , we're powering it. Apply now and energize your career with a true leader in global energy. The Lead Associate, Stakeholder Relations supports the development and execution of AES’ regional stakeholder engagement strategy and its national strategy for energy campuses and powered land under the leadership of the Sr. Manager – Central Region. The role leads engagement for an assigned portfolio of renewable energy projects across MISO, SPP and ERCOT and supports a national portfolio of multi-technology energy campuses and powered land opportunities, from site screening and diligence through development, permitting, construction and operations. At AES, Lead Associates lead complex project engagement strategies with a high degree of independence, with the guidance of their leader and in close collaboration with project teams and External Affairs colleagues. The Lead Associate brings direct energy industry experience and serves as a subject-matter resource on local engagement, social risk mitigation, strategic partnerships and advocacy, helping to implement and improve the frameworks, tools and best practices that allow AES to engage consistently and responsibly across markets. As a key representative of AES, the role builds trust with host communities and helps secure and maintain the company’s social license to operate. The breadth of engagement extends beyond local communities to landowners, Tribal Nations, customer counterparts, utilities, local and state governments, economic development organizations, labor unions, nonprofits, EPC partners, industry associations, chambers of commerce and local news media, among others. The successful candidate has a proven track record of leading engagement on complex, high-visibility energy projects, including experience with community benefit agreements and economic development and incentive processes, as well as cultivating innovative, responsive and meaningful partnerships in service of local communities and responsible infrastructure development. Job Functions National Energy Campus and Powered Land Strategy Support the Sr. Manager, Stakeholder Relations – Central Region in developing and implementing AES’ national stakeholder engagement strategy for energy campuses and powered land. Conduct stakeholder and community diligence for prospective projects, sites and acquisitions by assessing community sentiment, local land use and zoning landscapes, and near- and long-term risks to inform site selection and project decisions. Monitor national and state trends, relevant policy developments, and public sentiment related to renewable energy, data centers, large-load development and energy infrastructure; synthesize insights, and share lessons learned and best practices across relevant teams. Project Engagement Strategy and Execution De