Dir,Communications and Public Affairs

About the role

Provide strategy and leadership in media relations, stakeholder engagement, public affairs and reputation management for PacifiCorp and Rocky Mountain Power. Develop strategic communications strategy including key message development by audience, objectives, tactics by channel, comprehensive feedback on engagement and measurement against key performance metrics. Work with internal stakeholders to conceive, plan, develop, implement and measure strategic communications programs that position the company as a relevant and credible energy services leader committed to innovating on behalf of customers, communities and constituents. Contribute to the company’s customer-centric transformation by conceiving, managing and monitoring proactive strategic communications strategies that inhibit opposition, remove barriers and fortify the company’s role in local communities and key stakeholder circles.

Coach and develop communications specialists and program managers. Advise and support company executives on communications techniques that reinforce what sets the company apart and protect corporate reputation. Drive impact and consistency of approved external messages by collaborating with corporate communications, marketing, community, operations, regulation, government affairs and regional business management to integrate them across key touchpoints, programs and channels.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team including day-to-day activities, training and professional development.
• Set strategic communications strategy including outage communications, legislative communications, wildfire communications, energy transition, transmission growth and regulatory strategy and filings.
• Utilize comprehensive communications skill set to determine the appropriate mix of communications activations.
• Work with internal stakeholders and senior leaders to develop and implement communications plans to enhance PacifiCorp and Rocky Mountain Power’s brands and reputation.
• Responsible for reputation management, issues management and developing communications materials and messages on sensitive topics.
• Develop and implement strategic communications that are highly sensitive, complex and political in nature.
• Interact with media, offer interviews and act as a spokesperson for the company.
• Serve as a key contact for media on sensitive topics and ensure timely response to media inquiries.
• Develop executive communications materials including talking points, speeches and presentations.
• Establish and maintain operational/customer service outage response communications plan.
• Establish and maintain wildfire mitigation communication program that showcases the company’s work across the service area.
• Establish and maintain a peak load response communications plan.
• Influence programs to address ongoing issues and initiatives that protect and enhance business objectives and reputation.
• Promote understanding in support of the company’s overall strategy, policies and priorities.
• Provide communications counsel and support to the company.
• Focus on strategic communications that are prioritized, proactive, integrated and consistent.
• Promote opportunities to influence key external stakeholder groups and enhance their understanding and support of the company.
• Collaborate with colleagues responsible for customer communications, energy efficiency communications, brand awareness communications, government affairs and regulatory communications to ensure consistency across communications touchpoints.
• Apply project management skills and tools to ensure timely production, management and measurement of marketing and customer communications campaigns.
• Oversee work of agencies that support the communications function.
• Develop and implement various crisis and emergency response activities.
• Develop resources that enable shared information across the communications team.
• Team members are cross-trained to develop bench strength in public spokesperson roles; issues management; and proactive reputational management.
• Review, measure and evaluate effectiveness of communications efforts and incorporate findings to improve subsequent activities.
• Stay current on communications trends and implement new processes and tactics to ensure best-in-class function.
• Responsible for employee performance reviews, performance management and personnel issues for team members.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Journalism or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of ten years of experience in communications, media or public relations roles.
• Minimum of 5 years of functional or people management experience.
• Proven experience translating complex issues into understandable language.
• Proven ability to develop and implement comprehensive strategic communications plans and programs to address key issues and opportunities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with ability to establish trust, maintain confidence and understand social behavior and interactions.
• Demonstrated experience with multi-channel communications management.
• Ability to work with all levels of an organization to influence actions and negotiate outcomes.
• Ability to listen and communicate effectively through oral and written means.
• Ability to operate in a complex and rapidly changing business environment.
• Ability to judge priorities for the best interests of the company while meeting multiple deadlines.
• Experience working with media deadlines and information needs, including trades, newspapers and broadcast reporters.
• Proficient with personal computers to gather, analyze and summarize data.
• Proficient with MS Office suite.
• Interest in adapting and implementing new technologies that benefit the company’s communications.
• Proven ability to plan, execute, measure and correct.

Preferences

• Advanced degree.
• Knowledge of the service area, customer demographics and policy environment.
• Knowledge of research, analysis and consulting techniques, company policies, procedures, practices and applicable federal, state and local governmental laws and regulations.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision insurance.
• 401(k) with match: fixed contributions including a Roth and saving option. For union employees, matching contributions vary by union. For non-union, PacifiCorp makes a fixed contribution equal to 4% of eligible pay each year for new hires. PacifiCorp matches 100% of the first 6% contributed.
• Life insurance.