Head of Internal Communications

Job Category Communications, Public Relations, Marketing

Travel 15%

Manage Others Yes

Phone View phone number on click.appcast.io

coop

Manager of Communications

Prairie Land Electric is seeking a Manager of Communications to join our team in Norton, Kansas.

The Manager of Communications is responsible for developing, coordinating, and executing communication strategies that support Prairie Land’s mission, vision, core values, and commitment to serving our members. This position plays a key role in ensuring members, employees, and communities receive timely, accurate, and meaningful information about cooperative programs, industry issues, and organizational initiatives.

This newly created position provides an opportunity for an experienced communications professional to build upon and enhance Prairie Land’s communication efforts while strengthening connections with those we serve.

The ideal candidate will be a skilled communicator who has experience with electric cooperatives, the utility industry, or a similar industry where effective communication requires translating complex information into clear, understandable messages. This role is focused on educating and informing — helping members, employees, and stakeholders better understand the issues affecting our industry and cooperative.

This position is based at Prairie Land Electric’s headquarters in Norton, Kansas.

The Manager of Communications leads the development, coordination, and execution of the Cooperative's strategic internal and external communications program across print, digital, social media, web, and in-person channels. This position is responsible for planning and implementing strategic communications initiatives, maintaining brand consistency, supporting member engagement, and ensuring timely, accurate, and coordinated messaging for both routine operations and special situations.

The Manager of Communications works collaboratively with senior leadership and subject matter experts throughout the Cooperative to develop communications that are aligned with organizational priorities and approved through established review processes. This position directly supervises the Communications Specialist and is responsible for coordinating and executing communications projects, priorities, workflows, and deadlines.

This role requires sound judgment, strong writing and organizational skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to the Cooperative's mission, core values, and cooperative principles.

The following are essential responsibilities of this position and do not include marginal functions that are incidental to the performance of the fundamental job duties. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” employment relationship.

Strategic Communications & Planning

Develop, maintain, and implement strategic communications plans, emergency communications plans, and communications priorities in alignment with leadership direction and Cooperative’s goals.

Collaborate with senior leadership and internal subject matter experts to develop communications that are accurate, timely, audience-appropriate, and aligned with organizational priorities.

Coordinate communications planning, workflows, and deadlines to support consistent and effective messaging across the Cooperative.

Support communications during outages, emergencies, and other significant events by developing and coordinating approved member and employee messaging using information provided by operational and leadership personnel.

Content Development & Publications

Write, edit, review, and publish a wide range of communications, including magazine articles, press releases, social media content, website updates, digital newsletters, information campaigns, brochures, advertisements, recruitment and onboarding materials, presentations, and internal and external correspondence.

Maintain and update the Cooperative's website to ensure information is accurate, current, accessible, and aligned with organizational priorities.

Collaborate with communications teams at associated organizations, including Sunflower Electric Power Corporation and Kansas Electric Cooperatives, to develop, coordinate, and submit content for cooperative publications and shared communications initiatives.

Ensure all communications reflect the Cooperative's mission, values, and approved messaging standards.

Branding & Visual Communications

Apply and maintain Cooperative’s branding standards across publications, presentations, signage, business cards, merchandise, digital content, and other communications materials.

Develop and oversee visual communications materials using appropriate graphic design principles to ensure materials are visually appealing, accurate, accessible, and consistent with the Cooperative's brand identity.

Coordinate photography and videography needs and oversee content updates for the Cooperative's digital signage platforms.

Maintain communications resources, including the employee directory, organizational chart, fillable forms, templates, and related materials.

Member, Community & Event Communications

Plan, coordinate, and oversee communications materials and messaging for Trustee Elections, the Annual Meeting, Youth Tour, Safety Poster Contest, Cooperative Month, Safety Trailer demonstrations, and other member and community events.

Represent the Cooperative at community, educational, and member events as assigned.

Support member engagement initiatives through coordinated communications across multiple channels.

Communications Leadership & Project Management

Directly supervise the Communications Specialist, including assigning work, providing guidance and feedback, supporting professional development, and ensuring timely and consistent completion of responsibilities.

Establish and maintain relationships with printing vendors, media outlets, marketing agencies, and other communications service providers.

Coordinate communications projects from planning through execution while ensuring compliance with Cooperative policies, established review and approval processes, and departmental objectives.

Exercise sound judgment in determining when communications can be executed independently and when content or decisions should be elevated for leadership review and approval.

Support continuous improvement of communications processes, tools, and workflows to enhance efficiency, consistency, and member service.

Contribute to the efficient, effective, and fiscally responsible operation of the Member Services Department.

Demonstrate proficiency in and adaptability to specialized software applications, technologies, and communications systems required to perform assigned duties.

Maintain regular and reliable attendance and be available to respond during outages, emergencies, community events, and other situations requiring communications support.

Participate in training and professional development opportunities to maintain knowledge of communications practices, technology, accessibility standards, and industry trends.

Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the goals and operations of the Cooperative.

Work is performed primarily in a climate-controlled office environment with normal lighting, temperature, and noise levels. The position requires frequent interaction with employees, members, media representatives, vendors, and community organizations through in-person meetings, telephone, email, and digital communication platforms. Occasional field work, photography, interviews, community events, meetings, and travel are required. Work outside of normal business hours, including evenings and weekends, may be necessary to support community events, member programs, outages, emergency communications, and other Cooperative activities.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, reach, bend, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, camera equipment, telephone, and other standard office equipment. The employee must be able to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through written communications. The position requires frequent viewing of computer monitors and printed materials. Occasional lifting and carrying of office supplies, display materials, promotional items, or equipment weighing up to 20 pounds may be required. Occasional travel by automobile and air may be necessary.

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience, as determined by the Cooperative.

Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible experience in communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field.

Experience developing and executing strategic communications, marketing, or public engagement initiatives.

Experience writing, editing, and managing communications across multiple print, digital, and social media platforms.

Experience coordinating multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, as well as communications software, including graphic design tools, social media management platforms, website content management systems, and digital publishing platforms.

Demonstrated ability to supervise employees, coordinate projects, and build collaborative working relationships.

Excellent written, verbal, editing, and proofreading skills.

Experience supervising, coaching, mentoring, or leading communications, marketing, or administrative staff.

Experience developing and implementing emergency communications plans.

Experience evaluating communication effectiveness through metrics and analytics.

Knowledge of cooperative business principles, electric utility operations, and member programs.

Experience utilizing specific systems including Adobe Creative Suite, Canva Business, Meta Business Suite, ScreenCloud, GoProof, and Co-Op Web Builder.