Senior Communications Manager - Indiana

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Job Summary

The Senior Communications Manager is responsible for providing communications as well as public affairs support for regulated utility operations in Indiana. The position develops and implements communications on complex issues, provides counsel to business groups and senior leaders, and works on proactive and reactive media opportunities. This individual will assist in the development and implementation of integrated, strategic communication plans and supporting materials for stakeholder engagement, advocacy and educational campaigns for regulatory, legislative, operational, and reputation management as well as brand strategies for Duke Energy in Indiana. 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 also serves as part of the companys crisis communications and storm support team. This position reports to the Director for Public Affairs and Communications in Indiana. The position provides communication counsel and support to the Indiana president and the presidents organization, including communications support for local government and community relations, regulatory affairs, local and state foundation activities, economic development, and local infrastructure engagement activities. The position will work closely with corporate communications peers, public affairs, sustainability, environmental, foundation, and governmental affairs teams to ensure alignment and advance Duke Energys 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 spokesperson
• Strong experience developing and implementing communications plans to effectively manage response to emerging issues
• Experience working with senior levels of management and providing executive counsel and coaching for media interviews, presentations, and other external events
• Speechwriting, message development and PowerPoint creation experience
• Experience in issues management and crisis communications
• Experience in public policy, reputation management, advocacy campaigns and stakeholder engagement
• Indiana political and public policy acumen
• 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 work and make decisions independently and collaboratively with multiple stakeholders
• Experience working in a matrix organization

Responsibilities

• Develop/implement/measure impact of complex communications plans on varied subjects and issues. Responsibilities include writing key messages, news releases, presentation development, social media content and other collateral materials.
• Provide counsel to business groups, and serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and support executive positioning efforts.
• Manage any media inquiry, including those that place the company's reputation at high risk.
• Represent the company externally with diverse audiences in challenging situations.
• Communicate highly technical topics in ways that resonate with public, regulatory and key leader audiences
• Serve as part of the companys crisis communications team and participate in on-call media/emergency duty rotation.
• Stay up-to-date on company and industry-related issues and developing communications strategies to address these issues.
• Required to do field work during storms.
• 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, eight (8) years minimum of related work experience
• In lieu of bachelor's degree AND eight (8) years minimum of related work experience, high school diploma/GED AND twelve (12) years minimum of related work experience

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelors degree strongly preferred
• Strong media relations experience serving as a spokesperson on contentious issues. This includes strategy, message development and maintaining reporter relationships.
• Prior public affairs experience
• Experience in executive positioning, for example, providing executive communications counsel, speechwriting, and advice in the form of coaching for media interviews, presentations/speeches.
• Experience developing and implementing complex communications plans.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and accurately using written and verbal communications.
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills to work efficiently and effectively with clients, teammates, and management.
• Ability to participate in/lead crisis management response.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products, such as Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel, as well as SharePoint.
• Previous energy industry experience

Working Conditions

• This position is located in Plainfield, Indiana
• M - F & as needed based on responsibilities of the role
• Hybrid mobility classification - work will be performed from both remote and onsite locations after the onboarding period. However, hybrid employees should live within a reasonable commute to a Duke Energy facility.
• Field work may be required at times, including a few overnight stays.

Travel Requirements

5-15%

Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)

Yes

Represented/Union Position

No

Visa Sponsored Position

No

Posting Expiration Date

Monday, March 4, 2024

All job postings expire at 12:01 AM on the posting expiration date.

Please note that in order to be considered for this position, you must possess all of the basic/required qualifications.

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