Supervisor, External Communications

Overview

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. These initiatives are created for ElectriCities of NC, Inc., NCEMPA, NCMPA1 and those members of ElectriCities collectively known as public power.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight and manage day-to-day advertising and sponsorship campaigns driven by ElectriCities in support of efforts to raise awareness for the organization and public power. 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. Monitor and report on earned media activities.
• 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. for use with media, industry, and other stakeholder groups.
• 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.
• Maintain positive relationships with stakeholders, including relationships with peers within the organization and membership, at other organizations, media outlets, trade organizations and publications, state agencies, and others that foster synergy on common issues.
• Foster an environment of collaboration and teamwork to effectively work with other departments/divisions and fellow employees.
• Provide strategic guidance and day-to-day support for Public Relations Specialist direct report. Support direct report’s annual goal setting, appraisal process, and development plans.
• Participate in training and capacity building activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Experience managing and growing various types of advertising campaigns and vendors.
• Strong media relations skills. North Carolina media relationships preferred.
• Exceptional drafting, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Experience using email marketing and e-newsletter tools. 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. Experience collaborating successfully with multidisciplinary teams.
• 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.
• Ability to work under pressure and deadlines. Demonstrated creativity in problem-solving.
• Ability to think strategically, exercise good judgment, and innovate.
• Strong level of initiative and ability to work with minimal supervision.