Senior Communications Manager

Job Summary

The Regulated Utilities Senior Communications Manager is responsible for providing communications support for the regulated utility operations in Florida. The position will develop and execute media strategies, which include responding to media inquiries, serving as a company spokesperson and building and sustaining relationships with key reporters/outlets. The position develops and implements communications on complex issues; provides counsel to business groups and senior leaders; and supports executive positioning efforts. This individual will assist in the development and implementation of integrated, strategic communications and public affairs plans, along with supporting materials for stakeholder engagement, advocacy and educational campaigns for legislative, regulatory, operational, and reputation management as well as brand strategies for Duke Energy Florida. The position also serves as part of the company’s crisis communications and storm support team. This position reports to the Director of Public Affairs & Jurisdiction Communications in Florida. The position assists with providing support to the Florida State President and the State President’s leadership team, including local and state government affairs, community relations, foundation, economic development, regulatory and legal affairs. The position will work closely with corporate communications peers, sustainability, environmental, federal policy and government affairs to ensure alignment and advance Duke Energy’s national and regional strategies.

Key Skills and Experience

• Strong experience in communications and public affairs
• Strong media relations experience, including strategy and message development, and serving as a company spokesperson
• Strong experience developing and implementing communications plans to effectively manage emerging issues and long-term strategies to support top business priorities
• Experience working with senior levels of management and providing executive counsel and coaching for media interviews, presentations, and other external events
• Experience representing the company externally with diverse audiences in challenging situations
• Speechwriting experience
• Strong experience and proficiency in written translation of materials such as press releases and customer communications
• Strong knowledge of utility operations and/or regulatory processes for a utility industry
• Experience in public policy, reputation management, advocacy campaigns and stakeholder engagement
• Demonstrated strong verbal and written communication skills; writing samples may be requested
• Ability to effectively interact and communicate with a variety of audiences, including community leaders, elected officials and media
• Ability to synthesize complex information into easy-to-understand communications materials, including talking points, public remarks, media statements, etc.
• Ability to work and make decisions independently and collaboratively with multiple stakeholders
• Experience working in a matrix organization
• Experience in issues management and crisis communications

Responsibilities

• Develops/implements/measures impact of complex communications plans on varied subjects and issues. Responsibilities include writing key messages, news releases, social media content and other collateral materials.
• Provides counsel to business groups and senior leaders and supports executive positioning efforts.
• Serves as a primary liaison between Florida State President’s Organization and Corporate Communications for relevant business priorities and other issues, under the direction of the Director of Public Affairs & Jurisdiction Communications.
• Manages any relevant media inquiries, including those that place the company's reputation at high risk. This includes serving as a company spokesperson with local, regional and national media.
• Staying up-to-date on company and industry-related issues and developing communications strategies to address these issues.
• Serves as part of the company’s crisis communications team, often leading the Corp. Comm. work in an event. Also participates in on-call media/emergency duty rotation.
• Develops/implements/measures impact of complex communications plans on varied subjects and issues.
• Must build and maintain strong relationships and serve as a trusted advisor to senior executives.
• Required to do field work during storms and other emergency events.
• Required travel to high profile community events and engagements with senior leaders.

Basic/Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations or other related degree
• In addition to required degree, five (5) years minimum of related work experience
• In lieu of bachelor's degree AND five (5) years minimum of related work experience, high school diploma/GED AND nine (9) years minimum of related work experience

Desired Qualifications

• In addition to desired degree, 6 plus years related work experience in communications and public affairs.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and accurately using written and verbal communications.
• Experience developing and implementing complex communications plans.
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills to work efficiently and effectively with clients, teammates, and management.
• Strong media relations experience serving as a spokesperson on contentious issues. This includes strategy and message development and maintaining reporter relationships.
• Experience working with business unit leaders and providing executive counsel and coaching for media interviews, presentations/speeches.
• Experience representing the company externally with challenging audiences in challenging situations.
• Speechwriting experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products, such as Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel, as well as SharePoint.
• Ability to participate in/lead crisis management response.
• Previous energy industry experience.
• Experience in providing communications counsel and advice to executives.
• Accredited in public relations (APR).