MINNKOTA POWER COOPERATIVE

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF MEMBER & EXTERNAL AFFAIRS OFFICER

Position Summary

The Executive Vice President, Chief Member & External Affairs Officer plays a pivotal role in the executive leadership team, responsible for overseeing public & governmental affairs, and driving the cooperative’s strategic vision. This position requires a deep understanding of utility business operations, exceptional leadership skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with other executives to achieve the organization's goals. This position works closely with the CEO and Board of Directors to shape and guide business operations to achieve long-term success for Minnkota Power Cooperative and provide exemplary member services and strengthen the overall value provided to the member systems.

The pay range for this position begins at $282,735 per year. Appropriate compensation will be determined based on a candidate's skills, education, and any previous relevant experience. 

First Application Review: March 3, 2025. Applications will be reviewed thereafter until the position is filled.

Reporting Relationship

• Reports To:   Chief Executive Officer
• Supervises:   VP of Government Affairs & Communication
                          Member Services, Rates & Economic Development Manager

Essential Responsibilities

• Demonstrates strong understanding of member distribution cooperative operations and advocates for Minnkota and member cooperatives' best interests; provides member-focused leadership to assure the success of business relationships with the Minnkota member cooperatives and Northern Municipal Power Agency (NMPA) participants.
• Oversees and directs strategic, value-driven economic development services and initiatives to enhance economic vitality throughout the service areas of the Minnkota member cooperatives and NMPA participants.
• Leverages strong business acumen to develop and direct the strategies for establishing reliable and affordable electricity rates for Minnkota’s member cooperatives; communicates directly with member cooperative staff, Minnkota Board of Directors, utility partners and industry leaders.
• Develops and manages Minnkota’s wholesale electric rates, including specialized rate structures for Minnkota’s member systems.
• Communicates performance expectations, job responsibilities, coaches and develops direct reports; removes barriers and partners with Human Resources to create specific development and training plans for key employees.
• Oversees all corporate media relations communications; maintains positive working relationships with key media and reporters, as well as state, regional and national industry personnel.

Organizational Competencies

• Safety
• Integrity
• Teamwork
• Innovation
• Reliability

 
Job Competencies

• Customer / Member Focus
• Business Acumen
• Organizational Agility
• Strategic Agility
• Managing Vision and Purpose
• Developing Direct Reports
• Motivating Others

Goals and Objectives

An employee filling this role is expected to meet changing and unique goals and objectives, as established by their supervisor, related to the broader area in which the employee is assigned.

Job Qualification Standards

• Position requires a minimum of Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 10 years of experience working for an electric cooperative, with increased levels of responsibility and authority.
• Extensive experience with all areas of management, leadership, ability to motivate, decision making, problem solving, analytical thinking, time management, interpersonal skills, and written and verbal communication.

Physical and Mental Demands

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands: While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is primarily required to sit, stand, walk, stoop, bend and frequently utilize a keyboard/computer. Specific vision abilities include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental demands: Mental demands: While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent will be required to problem solve, read, write and analyze data, work under schedules and deadline pressure, present information to others, work independently and use discretion and judgment for confidential or sensitive projects/issues.

Work Environment: While performing the duties of this position, the employee is exposed to an office environment indoors, and will travel outdoors to multiple locations dependent on work.

Benefits 

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Pension plan
• Life insurance and AD&D
• Disability insurance
• Paid leave: Holidays and floating holidays, Vacation, Sick leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts for dependent care
• Educational assistance
• Membership in select professional organizations

About Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc.

Our Power is our People Minnkota Power Cooperative, headquartered in Grand Forks, ND, has played a major role in bringing a better quality of life to residents of eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota for more than 75 years. The company has a wide range of about 400 knowledgeable and skilled employees who work to bring reliable, low-cost electric energy to rural America. Minnkota creates career growth and development a priority by creating a challenging and rewarding work environment. The company also promotes a true work-life balance that helps enhance employees' quality of life. A generation and transmission cooperative, Minnkota Power Cooperative is owned by 11 distribution cooperatives. Three in eastern North Dakota and eight in northwestern Minnesota. Minnkota also serves as operating agent for the Northern Municipal Power Agency (NMPA) in Thief River Falls, MN. In total, the Minnkota/NMPA Joint System provides electricity to more than 150,000 customers. Minnkota's Milton R. Young station is a two-unit coal fired power plant providing a stable energy source for our cooperative member-owners. The station is located 35 miles from Bismarck, ND, a growing and progressive city with many recreational opportunities.

Connections working at Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc.