Sr. Communications Strategist (Hybrid - La Crosse, WI)

About the role

With minimal guidance from a supervisor or communications leader, employees in this role provide strategic communications and stakeholder engagement support for assigned large transmission projects, business initiatives and external-facing priorities. This role uses business, project, regulatory and stakeholder insights to develop communication strategies, messaging and materials that support understanding, protect Dairyland Power Cooperative’s reputation and advance business objectives. Communications materials, public statements and external messaging are prepared for leadership review and approval prior to release, and communications activities are executed at the direction of leadership on behalf of Dairyland. This role requires strong strategic planning, sound judgment, composure in high-conflict environments and excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Supports development and execution of strategic communications and stakeholder engagement plans, key messages, programs and campaigns for assigned large transmission projects, business initiatives and external-facing priorities using project information, stakeholder insights, research, analytics and approved business strategies.
• Creates, coordinates and prepares written, visual and digital content for internal and external channels, including presentations, talking points, fact sheets, newsletters, web and social media content, video and other communication materials, for leadership review and approval prior to release.
• Supports internal business partners on communications strategy and provides executive and communications support.
• Serves as communications liaison for assigned business units and initiatives and helps manage campaigns, communication workstreams and cross-functional initiatives to support consistent messaging, timely execution and alignment with business objectives.
• Plans, coordinates and supports community outreach, public engagement, education, advocacy activities, project-related meetings, open houses and public events at the direction of leadership and consistent with approved messaging.
• Facilitates stakeholder discussions, de-escalates difficult interactions and escalates matters that present significant reputational, political, regulatory or business risk.
• Drafts project messaging, media statements, press releases, presentations and other communication materials for leadership review and approval; responds to media or public inquiries related to assigned initiatives only within approved messaging, leadership direction and escalation protocols; and supports proactive opportunities to tell Dairyland’s project and company story.
• Communicates effectively with leadership, the board of directors, Dairyland Managers Association, internal and external project teams, member cooperatives, regional stakeholders and other audiences to provide updates, support understanding of communication and stakeholder engagement plans and strengthen support for assigned initiatives.
• Measures results and evaluates the effectiveness of communication and stakeholder engagement strategies, tactics and materials.
• Tracks communication metrics, analyzes stakeholder feedback and recommends improvements to strengthen outreach, message awareness, stakeholder understanding and support.
• Supports government affairs, communications, grants, regulatory affairs and other internal partners in developing communication strategies, messaging and materials needed to support project, business and regulatory objectives.
• As needed, supports Dairyland’s broader internal and external communication initiatives, major projects, emergency events and general communications activities.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, marketing, communications or related field with minimum of five (5) years of experience in communications, external affairs