Sr External Communications Manager
RWE Americas, Chicago, IL, United States
RWE Americas, LLC
To start as soon as possible, full time, permanent
Functional area: Communications
Remuneration: Exempt
Senior External Communications Manager
serves as a key leader within RWE America’s Corporate Communications team, responsible for shaping, elevating, and protecting the company’s external reputation across national, regional, and trade audiences. This role combines strategic counsel with hands‑on content development and media engagement, advancing the company’s corporate narrative and message architecture while identifying opportunities to strengthen RWE’s voice in the evolving energy landscape. The Senior Manager partners closely with executives, subject‑matter experts, and business units to ensure consistent, proactive, and credible external communications that support enterprise goals.
Role Responsibilities
Support development and refinement of narrative, message house, and core positioning, ensuring alignment across the business and in line with RWE's communication strategy
Serve as strategic communications advisor to executives and cross‑functional leaders, providing counsel on messaging, reputational risks, external visibility, and media strategy
Lead national, regional, and trade media relations—building and maintaining strong relationships with top‑tier reporters, editors, producers, and sector‑focused journalists
Develop and implement proactive media relations strategies that elevate the corporate story, promote company milestones, and position RWE experts as credible industry voices
Draft high‑quality external content including press releases, talking points, op‑eds, bylines, Q&A, media statements, executive remarks, and briefing materials
Support crisis and issues‑management communications, including scenario planning, aligned messaging, and materials development
Monitor emerging issues, sector developments, and competitive dynamics in the energy industry, translating insights into communications strategies and external messaging opportunities
Support external communications planning for major corporate campaigns, announcements, partnerships, and strategic initiatives
Proactively identify emerging risks, opportunities, and communication needs, ensuring leadership is prepared with timely and effective messaging
Manage external agencies, PR firms, and other communication partners to ensure cohesive execution and alignment with RWE’s strategy, standards, and brand identity
Prepare and coordinate media training, briefing materials, and coaching for executives and subject matter experts ahead of interviews, panels, and public engagements
Track and report on media performance, sentiment, reach, and reputational indicators to guide continuous improvement of messaging, campaign planning, and visibility efforts
Job Requirements and Experiences
Relevant degree in Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations or Communications preferred
Minimum 7 years of relevant corporate communications experience; experience working in the energy industry preferred
Strong strategic communications skills with the ability to shape and steward a compelling corporate narrative
Excellent writing and storytelling abilities, including experience crafting high‑impact external content for executives and media
Proven media relations expertise and relationships, including managing national and trade reporters and navigating fast‑moving news cycles
Skilled in crisis and issues management with sound judgment and the ability to respond quickly and accurately under pressure.
Ability to translate complex business topics into clear, accessible messaging for diverse audiences
Strong cross‑functional collaboration skills; able to partner effectively with leaders across Communications, Policy, GR, Legal, and business units
High level of professional presence with the ability to counsel senior leaders and provide confident, actionable recommendations
Excellent project management, prioritization, and organizational skills
Ability to pivot quickly and work in an international, fast‑paced, heavy deadline driven work environment
Willingness to travel (up to 20%)
This position is an office‑based role with some travel and visits to other RWE offices and field locations
Must be able to sit, walk, or stand for long durations of time
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. RWE Americas is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time.
Pay range:
The annual base salary range for this position in Illinois & Washington D.C. is $138,000- $188,000. The listed salary range represents our good faith estimate for this position and represents the range for new hire salaries across all U.S locations. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. RWE considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s education & work experience, training & certifications, and key skills as well as market and business considerations at the time of the offer.
Benefits offered:
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays. Eligible employees also participate in short-term incentives, in addition to salary.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.
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Functional area: Communications
Remuneration: Exempt
Senior External Communications Manager
serves as a key leader within RWE America’s Corporate Communications team, responsible for shaping, elevating, and protecting the company’s external reputation across national, regional, and trade audiences. This role combines strategic counsel with hands‑on content development and media engagement, advancing the company’s corporate narrative and message architecture while identifying opportunities to strengthen RWE’s voice in the evolving energy landscape. The Senior Manager partners closely with executives, subject‑matter experts, and business units to ensure consistent, proactive, and credible external communications that support enterprise goals.
Role Responsibilities
Support development and refinement of narrative, message house, and core positioning, ensuring alignment across the business and in line with RWE's communication strategy
Serve as strategic communications advisor to executives and cross‑functional leaders, providing counsel on messaging, reputational risks, external visibility, and media strategy
Lead national, regional, and trade media relations—building and maintaining strong relationships with top‑tier reporters, editors, producers, and sector‑focused journalists
Develop and implement proactive media relations strategies that elevate the corporate story, promote company milestones, and position RWE experts as credible industry voices
Draft high‑quality external content including press releases, talking points, op‑eds, bylines, Q&A, media statements, executive remarks, and briefing materials
Support crisis and issues‑management communications, including scenario planning, aligned messaging, and materials development
Monitor emerging issues, sector developments, and competitive dynamics in the energy industry, translating insights into communications strategies and external messaging opportunities
Support external communications planning for major corporate campaigns, announcements, partnerships, and strategic initiatives
Proactively identify emerging risks, opportunities, and communication needs, ensuring leadership is prepared with timely and effective messaging
Manage external agencies, PR firms, and other communication partners to ensure cohesive execution and alignment with RWE’s strategy, standards, and brand identity
Prepare and coordinate media training, briefing materials, and coaching for executives and subject matter experts ahead of interviews, panels, and public engagements
Track and report on media performance, sentiment, reach, and reputational indicators to guide continuous improvement of messaging, campaign planning, and visibility efforts
Job Requirements and Experiences
Relevant degree in Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations or Communications preferred
Minimum 7 years of relevant corporate communications experience; experience working in the energy industry preferred
Strong strategic communications skills with the ability to shape and steward a compelling corporate narrative
Excellent writing and storytelling abilities, including experience crafting high‑impact external content for executives and media
Proven media relations expertise and relationships, including managing national and trade reporters and navigating fast‑moving news cycles
Skilled in crisis and issues management with sound judgment and the ability to respond quickly and accurately under pressure.
Ability to translate complex business topics into clear, accessible messaging for diverse audiences
Strong cross‑functional collaboration skills; able to partner effectively with leaders across Communications, Policy, GR, Legal, and business units
High level of professional presence with the ability to counsel senior leaders and provide confident, actionable recommendations
Excellent project management, prioritization, and organizational skills
Ability to pivot quickly and work in an international, fast‑paced, heavy deadline driven work environment
Willingness to travel (up to 20%)
This position is an office‑based role with some travel and visits to other RWE offices and field locations
Must be able to sit, walk, or stand for long durations of time
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. RWE Americas is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time.
Pay range:
The annual base salary range for this position in Illinois & Washington D.C. is $138,000- $188,000. The listed salary range represents our good faith estimate for this position and represents the range for new hire salaries across all U.S locations. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. RWE considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s education & work experience, training & certifications, and key skills as well as market and business considerations at the time of the offer.
Benefits offered:
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays. Eligible employees also participate in short-term incentives, in addition to salary.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.
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