The posting
Job Description
Job Summary The Manager - Government & Community Relations (CR/GR) serves as a vital strategic partner and tactical leader responsible for protecting existing operations, enabling company growth, and shaping the external environment in his or her assigned geography. Working directly as a dedicated advisor to Division Leadership and plant operations, this role executes high-impact strategies across four core value-creating areas: Community & Stakeholder Engagement, Government & Political Affairs, Expansion & Development Support, and Communications & Reputation Management.
Essential Functions • Plan and execute grassroots community programs, including hosting quarry tours, managing local school and educational relationships, and organizing community events. • Oversee the intake, evaluation, and allocation of community donation requests and manage Division Public Relations and Foundation budgets. • Partner closely with Plant Managers to address neighbor concerns, resolve complaints, and proactively maintain social license to operate. • Intentionally cultivate local stakeholder, community, and leadership support well in advance of formal permit filings or public project announcements. • Direct external affairs, stakeholder engagement, public messaging, and regulatory approvals in support of operational growth, collaborating with cross-functional teams and managing third-party consultants as needed. • Lead post-closing evaluations for newly acquired sites to assess political, community, and environmental factors, executing outreach and integration strategies to introduce Vulcan to local stakeholders. • Serve as a direct, trusted advisor to the Division President and other division leaders on local and state political issues. • Take leadership roles in key state and regional aggregates/mining trade associations and assist the Director of Governmental Affairs in managing external state-level legislative lobbyists. • Monitor policy trends and advocate for transportation and public infrastructure funding initiatives and other legislative and regulatory issues relevant to the company and aggregates industry. • Execute tactics that coordinate and advance grassroots and political advocacy, including driving growth in and use of the Vulcan Materials PAC (VMCPAC). • Execute broad brand-building activities that educate residents and civic leaders on the essential role of aggregates in society and the economy. • Proactively identify, monitor, and mitigate emerging operational or community issues before they escalate into high-profile crises, serving as the primary media spokesperson to manage localized public controversies. • Collaborate with the Director of Communications to build, train, and execute Division Crisis Management Plans and messaging.
Critical Competencies • Emotional Intelligence & Interpersonal Agility: Demonstrates high self-awareness and empathy; manages self-control and builds productive working relationships across conflicting political, regulatory, or community interests. • Organizational & Strategic Agility: Swiftly adapts growth and engagement strategies to shifting regulatory environments, community trends, and internal business needs. • Engages, Inspires & Drives Vision: Fosters collaboration across functional lines, aligns project teams around common goals, and articulates Vulcan’s mission and value proposition. • Innovation & Problem Solving: Applies creative problem-solving and strategic thinking to resolve complex zoning challenges, community opposition, or reputational risks.
Responsibilities
Education • A bachelor's degree in political science, public policy, communications, experience in government affairs and/or media relations, or a related field is often required, with a master's degree sometimes preferred.Bachelor’s degree required. Degrees in Political Science, Public Policy, Communications, Public Relations, or a related field preferred.
Experience • 10+ years of progressive experience in government affairs, public policy, community relations, or land-use advocacy, preferably in heavy industrial, mining, construction, or real estate development sectors.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities • Political & Regulatory Acumen: In-depth knowledge of state and local legislative processes and political dynamics, with demonstrated track record managing relationships with elected/appointed officials and securing rezonings and land-use entitlements. • Communications Capability: Strong capability in public speaking, written advocacy, media relations, and representing the company in contentious public forums. • Stakeholder Focus: Proven ability to build trusted advisory relationships with Division Presidents, operational leadership, and Plant Managers, balancing local operational priorities with enterprise standards. • Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage multi-disciplinary teams, outside legal/public relations consultants, and complex project timelines.
Other Requirements • Extensive regional travel is an inherent requirement of this role. • Work environment consists of a dynamic mix of office, public forum, and field operational settings. • Ability to work outdoors at active quarry and production sites around heavy machinery, loud noise levels, and changing weather conditions. • Regular attendance outside of regular working hours, including weekday evenings and weekends, at public hearings, community forums, industry events, and government meetings. • Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment while exercising composure, sound judgment, and clear decision-making during high-stakes or unexpected situations.
JD Disclaimer Vulcan Materials Company is an equal opportunity employer.
