As Scout’s Director of Community Engagement you will shape how Scout shows up in the project communities, design and implement engagement strategies, train internal teams, and provide high touch support for high priority and high risk projects. This will be accomplished through coaching, teaching and mentoring to set the standards, and execution of community engagement efforts across Scout’s development portfolio.
In this role, you will partner closely with Developers, Government Affairs, Legal, and external stakeholders to build coalitions of support, mitigate opposition, and enable projects to advance through development, permitting and construction. You will also build out internal processes, maintain company-wide engagement resources, and help grow a scalable Community Engagement function within Scout.
This position requires the ability to solve problems, excellent communication skills, comfort in politically sensitive environments, and a strong ability to build meaningful relationships in rural communities. Travel to project communities across the United States is expected. Preference to candidates that will be located in the Boulder office.
What you’ll do:
General Team Support (25–40%)
- Collaborate with Developers on early maturity projects to understand community context, risk factors, and engagement needs.
- Run project-level due diligence on community, political, and permitting dynamics.
- Build project engagement strategies and craft project messaging.
- Oversee internal team trainings on engagement best practices.
- Manage Scout’s internal standards, practices, and centralized repository of engagement materials.
- Support the build-out of Scout’s Community Engagement Team and internal structure.
- Capture lessons learned and ensure repeatable, scalable processes across the portfolio.
High-Priority Project Support (60–75%)
- Partner with Developers on advanced projects that require elevated or complex engagement strategies.
- Facilitate the design and management of high risk engagement plans, including targeted outreach, opposition mitigation, and coalition-building.
- In conjunction with the project developer, manage critical stakeholder relationships, including county leadership, project area influencers, and local community groups.
- Oversee external consultants (e.g., RENUSA, Bantam, Recall) as needed.
- Coordinate local events, sponsorships, and educational opportunities to build long-term support.
- Working with the project developer to set the strategy for how Scout is represented in public settings, including county commission and planning board meetings.
Strategic Leadership & Organizational Development
- Create company-wide standards for community engagement practices.
- Establish scalable internal systems and processes that enable growth.
- Work with industry leaders to strengthen Scout’s internal engagement capabilities.
- Ensure compliance with applicable laws, permitting requirements, and regulatory expectations.
- Provide clear internal communication to Development, Legal, Government Affairs, and Leadership on risk drivers, stakeholder dynamics, and recommended actions.
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, political science, community development, renewable energy development, environmental studies, or a related field.
- 10+ years of experience in community organizing, advocacy, campaign management, or stakeholder engagement in renewable energy.
- Experience working in renewable energy, rural communities, environmental management, or local government.
- Prior management experience and ability to oversee internal and external engagement practitioners.
- Strong understanding of U.S. local, state, and regional governmental structures; familiarity with renewable energy permitting preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with diverse audiences, including public officials and community groups.
- Proven ability to speak at county council, planning commission, or similar public meetings.
- Strong interpersonal and relationship‑building skills.
- Excellent organization and project management skills; ability to manage multiple workstreams and deadlines.
- Motivated self‑starter with strong problem‑solving abilities and sound business judgment.
- Remote work optional; ability to travel up to 50% as needed.
Preferred / Nice to Have
- Experience building or scaling a community engagement function within an organization.
- Background in renewable energy permitting, policy, or public affairs.
- Previous work with industry-leading engagement practitioners.
- Experience coordinating public meetings, sponsorships, or outreach events.
- Experience coaching teams and standardizing engagement processes.
Tools & Systems
- Proficient in MS Office Suite.
- Experience managing stakeholder databases and project schedules in Salesforce and Smartsheet is a plus.
- Familiarity with project management platforms, SharePoint, or similar tools.
- Comfort using digital outreach platforms, mapping tools, or CRM databases is a plus.
Timeline and Location
We will review resumes for this role on an ongoing basis, with a start date as soon as possible.
This role will be located in Boulder with up to 50% travel to project communities across the U.S. Successful candidates will be able to work some evenings/weekends when community or project schedules require it.
Scout's Values
- Mission-Orientation. High achievers who want to make a difference in this world and contribute to Scout’s stated mission.
- Teamwork. Respectful and appreciative colleagues with strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to fostering positive relationships across organizational boundaries to deliver on shared team goals.
- Safety. Uncompromising advocates for the health and safety of fellow employees, contractors, customers, and community members.
- Integrity. Ethical professionals who do the right thing even when it is difficult.
- Initiative. Resourceful self-motivators who thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment because of their exceptional leadership, work ethic, and organizational skills.
- Intelligence. Problem-solving learners who can make informed decisions quickly and create innovative and pragmatic solutions to challenging problems.
Invitation to Women and U.S. Underrepresented Groups
We encourage applications from all demographics and especially those that are traditionally underrepresented in the energy industry. Consistent with our core values, Scout celebrates the diversity of thought and experience that comes from a range of backgrounds including, but not limited to, gender, race, and ethnicity.
Invitation to Veterans
Scout welcomes veterans of the United States Armed Forces to apply for this position. Scout includes veterans of all branches and a diverse set of occupational specialties. We value the independent thinking, problem solving, leadership, and teamwork that our veterans have developed through their service. We welcome applications from any service and any military occupational specialty.
The target salary range for this position is $125,000 - $150,000. Attractive bonus potential.
Scout offers a full range of benefits, including medical/dental/vision insurance with attractive premiums, 401(k) match, STD, LTD, an Employee Assistance Program, and a range of optional supplemental insurance coverage.
