Head of Communications&PR

The Supervisor, External Communications is responsible for strategic day-to-day management of ElectriCities’ advertising, sponsorship, public relations, media relations, and thought-leadership activities in support of overall corporate brand management and raising the visibility of public power and public power communities in support of ElectriCities’ strategic plan. The Supervisor, External Communications coordinates with ElectriCities internal departments, manages external vendors and partners, and interfaces directly with ElectriCities member communities on initiatives. Serve as point of contact for outside agencies, vendors, and partners and manage contracts, timelines, budgets, and vendor outputs.

Make recommendations to the Vice President, Communications on new advertising and sponsorship methods, tactics, and opportunities and provide member communities with strategic counsel on their local advertising, sponsorship, and general promotional efforts.

Engage in in-person meetings with members across the state and region, educating on communications resources provided by ElectriCities and providing strategic counsel on members’ local efforts.

Initiate proactive media opportunities with the ability to write clear, compelling, and concise media materials and pitches. Create and maintain relationships with members of the media via telephone, email, social media, and in-person interactions. Maintain local, state, and national media lists. Serve as spokesperson for the organization as needed.

Establish media training opportunities for internal and external audiences.

Develop a thought leadership strategy for ElectriCities Executives and Senior Leadership Team as appropriate, creating materials that elevate ElectriCities, its employees, and member communities.

Develop news releases, media statements, media advisories, pitches, Q&As, articles, talking points, handouts, issue briefs, presentations, etc. Provide regular progress updates against goals and priorities to the VP, Communications. Keep the VP, Communications apprised of evolving communications and public relations issues, opportunities, and risks.

Present to members on communications and public relations-related topics at the ElectriCities Annual Conference, Connections Summit, regional meetings, Communications Committee meetings, and other member touchpoints as needed.

Manage annual “Public Power Promotional Program” (P4), approving project reimbursement requests and driving the awareness and promotion of the program.

In consultation with the Vice President, Communications, develop and implement an annual external communications plan for departmental PR efforts to achieve ElectriCities’ and regional public power’s communications goals.

In consultation with the Vice President, Communications, develop and implement an annual plan to enhance the members’ communications capacity and activity. Identify areas to educate members on best practices in communications.

Work with other department leads to ensure a consistent brand message in external-facing materials.

Provide strategic guidance and day-to-day support for Public Relations Specialist direct report. Participate in training and capacity building activities.

The Supervisor, External Communications must maintain the physical condition necessary to perform tasks in an office setting such as operating a personal computer, keyboard, and other peripheral equipment. Travel within the state of North Carolina is required. Periodic travel within the U.S. may also be required for training and development purposes.

The Supervisor, External Communications reports directly to the Vice President, Communications who reviews the employee’s work performance under ElectriCities’ guidelines in terms of overall effectiveness and provides professional guidance as needed. will be approved by the Vice President, Communications. This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

A Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or related field.

A minimum of 7 years of communications, marketing, public relations, marketing, or journalism experience.

Exceptional drafting, editing, and proofreading skills.

Experience with ProTech AMS platform ideal.

Proficiency with and knowledge of AP Style, Microsoft Office, website content management software (WordPress experience preferred), and social media platforms.

Crisis communications experience.

Excellent interpersonal and written and oral communication skills. Strong presentation skills to both internal and external clients on communications messages, tactics, and best practices.

Ability to work on multiple projects with frequently changing priorities in a collaborative environment.

Acute attention to detail and comfort in developing and working with project plans and timelines.

Strong level of initiative and ability to work with minimal supervision.