REQ-26429

Be an essential element to a brighter future.

We work together to transform essential resources into critical ingredients for mobility, energy, connectivity and health. Join our values-led organization committed to building a more resilient world with people and planet in mind. Our core values (https://www.albemarle.com/about/our-values) are the foundation that make us successful for ourselves, our customers and the planet.

Job Description

When you join the Albemarle team, you contribute to a better tomorrow with people and planet in mind. You will play a role in powering many of the world’s largest and most critical industries, from energy and communications to transportation and electronics. We are putting innovation to work to improve people’s lives and we want YOU to be a part of it.

Albemarle Corporation is seeking a strategic, dynamic, and detail-oriented individual to help advance the company’s objectives in Magnolia and Columbia county including relationships with brine lease holders, community engagement, external communication, and support to other business initiatives. The Community Affairs Liaison, reporting to the Land Director, will provide planning and execution for key initiatives and will lead external engagement to promote company’s commitment to building resilient communities and reputation as a responsible corporate partners. The liaison will have overall responsibility for community engagement in Magnolia to support our current facilities as well as any expansion in the region. This role will also interact and help manage relationships with brine lease holders. Such activities would include conflict avoidance and/or resolution, and other needed efforts to maintain a positive presence in the brinefield.

The liaison will be responsible for the following:

• Lead and coordinate community engagement aligned with Albemarle’s principles and core values for the company’s Magnolia, Arkansas operations, working in close collaboration with the Albemarle Plant Management team, Specialties Business Leadership, Corporate Communications, and External Affairs.
• Assure development of stakeholder communication strategies and execution to impact advocacy efforts, community engagement, accomplish local stakeholder understanding of Albemarle positions and policy rationales, and increase company reputation at the local and state level.
• Manage relationships with lease holders and serve as local point of contact for the community related to brinefield issues, track and manage emerging issues within communities and brine field operations, build and maintain internal and external relationships to facilitate successful navigation and understanding of brinefield issue management
• Identify new programs (including non-profit partnerships, sponsorships, and events) and improve and enhance existing programs, to support community engagement priorities, and to elevate the name recognition of Albemarle.
• Develop, manage, and administer Community Advisory Panel (CAP), including facilitator collaboration and external reporting and communication, and advise Plant Manager on annual community engagement budget.
• Oversee and ensure an effective key influential local stakeholder outreach program to support the company’s strategic objectives in Southwestern Arkansas.
• Ensure an aligned strategy for external and internal communications, inclusive of media and public relations, to enhance the understanding, image and reputation of the corporate brand, its management, and strategy.
• Serve as local external communications coordinator, cultivating relationships with local media, and other external stakeholders who influence the company’s reputation in Magnolia.
• Develop and execute community marketing and engagement programs that enhance Albemarle’s reputation and support key community priorities in Magnolia.
• Serve as principal local contact to address political, social, and reputational issues and opportunities in coordination with corporate external affairs leadership and business partners; and monitor trends in the local community to identify emerging issues and escalate where appropriate.
• Build and manage relationships with consultants, and business and community partners to support business objectives, including bromine and lithium industry initiatives.
• Other tasks as required.

Successful candidates will have a demonstrated capacity to:

• Understand overall business and company strategy to align with local interests.
• Represent company in the community and to external partners and audiences.
• Track and manage emerging issues within communities and brine field operations.
• Build and maintain internal and external networks for stakeholders directly tied to both those in brinefield operations and those outside.
• Understanding of marketing and communication best practices, including social media, content marketing, and public relations.
• Expertise in communications with ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively with cross-functional teams, matrixed environments, and different levels of leadership both internally and externally.
• Perform as a self-starter, identify needs, and take initiative.