Manager External Communications - Communications & Branding - Akron FirstEnergy Headquarters

About the role

The Manager, External Communications is a strategic leader responsible for developing and executing FirstEnergy’s external communications strategy to strengthen brand reputation and support organizational objectives. Reporting to the Director, Corporate Communications and collaborating with senior company leadership, this position directs a team of professionals responsible for:

• Corporate public relations and media relations
• Internal and external utility communications for West Virginia and Maryland
• Transmission communications
• Brand advertising and sponsorships
• Graphic communication

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Planning
Develop and implement external communications strategies that reinforce FirstEnergy’s brand reputation and business objectives.
Align messaging across all channels to ensure consistency with corporate priorities and regulatory requirements.
Lead planning for major initiatives, including infrastructure investments, clean energy transition, and customer experience improvements.

Media Relations & Public Relations
Serve as a primary media contact;
Manage press inquiries and develop proactive media outreach strategies.
Oversee creation and distribution of press releases, statements, and media kits;
Prepare executives for interviews and public appearances.
Monitor media coverage and sentiment;
Provide analysis and recommendations to leadership.

Crisis & Emergency Communications
Direct communication during outages, storms, and emergency events;
Ensure timely, accurate, and customer-focused messaging.
Maintain and update crisis communication protocols;
Lead team readiness for rapid response situations.

Executive & Stakeholder Visibility
Shape executive visibility through speeches, talking points, and thought leadership opportunities;
Partner with senior leadership to communicate strategic priorities internally and externally;
Support engagement with regulators, policymakers, and community stakeholders through clear, compliant messaging.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in corporate communications, public relations, or media relations.
• Proven leadership experience managing teams and complex projects.
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills; ability to simplify technical information for diverse audiences.
• Strong understanding of modern communications technologies, metrics and analysis tools, including AI and enterprise collaboration tools.
• Expertise in crisis communications and stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in a regulated industry, preferably electric or energy utilities is preferred.
• Familiarity with regulatory processes and public utility commission communications.
• Knowledge of digital and social media strategies, analytics, and emerging communication technologies.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including ability to effectively structure and present information and recommendations involving complex issues.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work with all levels of employees and leadership.
• Desire to learn, grow and work across FirstEnergy, and deliver quality and accurate work within established deadlines.

Benefits, Compensation & Workforce Diversity

At FirstEnergy, employees are key to our success. We depend on their talents to meet the challenges of our changing business environment. We are committed to rewarding individual and team efforts through our total rewards philosophy which includes competitive pay plus incentive compensation, a company-sponsored pension plan, 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution, a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs, as well as skills development training with tuition reimbursement. Please visit our website at www.firstenergycorp.com to learn more about all of our employee rewards programs.

FirstEnergy proudly supports workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. No recruiters or agencies without a previously signed contract. Unable to sponsor or transfer H-1B visas at this time.