Communication Specialist

Description

Summary:
The Senior Communications Specialist is responsible for planning and executing internal or external communications programs and activities as needed by the Director, Senior Manager or Vice President of Communications. The Specialist serves as a point of contact for internal or external communications and works in or with the business units to create and coordinate communications plans, write content, plan and implement programs and events, and to ensure consistent messaging and corporate identity. Responsibilities include public and media relations, employee communications, interaction with communications vendors and community outreach.
Position Scope:

• Directly supports the Manager, Communications, or Vice President, Communications, as needed.
• Assists in storm duty and 24/7 on-call company spokesperson on rotating basis. Also must be available for off-hour duties when crises occur.
• Position activities are focused on internal and external communications to employees and external stakeholders, which support initiatives and projects developed by corporate communications and business unit organizations for broader application.
• Requires significant outreach to internal and external audiences and development of strong relationships
• Involves proactive communication planning and plan execution, project leadership and a high level of coordination with other communication functions within Corporate.
• Requires ability to develop communications strategies
• Works under minimal supervision.
• Will work on internal and external communications
• More of an overlap of external communications
• They are responsible for PR and Media Relations
• Involved with Special events that the team coordinates and initiate
• As well as employee communications
• PR area:
• Everything that is related to promotion
• Press releases
• PowerPoints for executive speaking engagements
• The goal of the team is to take technical information and turning it into digestible info to the lay person; their goal is to tell the story in a compelling way, but will also require the ability to write about technical subjects

Primary Duties:

• Ensure effective communication of company goals and initiatives to internal and external stakeholders
• Support and participate in the development and implementation of internal and external communications programs and initiative
• Manage a variety of internal and external communications tasks to support leadership, including preparation of a range of communications including news articles, press releases, talking points, presentations, and other materials.
• Develop strong working relationship with other business units, local press and community officials, as needed, to implement community outreach programs.
• Manage crisis communications and coordinates media outreach initiatives as needed.

SKILLS:

Minimum:

• 4-year relevant degree and a minimum of 5 to 8 years' experience in communications (media relations, employee communications or advertising).
• Proven, excellent writing skills and strong interpersonal skills.
• Adept analytical skills
• Excellent organizational and presentation skills
• Proven ability to be innovative and creative
• Ability to work autonomously and interface easily with senior business leaders and the local press.
• May require ability to travel

Preferred:

• Master's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Advertising, or related field
• Energy business/industry knowledge