(Sr.) Public & Media Relations Coordinator

About the role

Develops and executes strategic communications that protect and strengthen Nicor Gas’ reputation with media, regulators, legislators, community leaders, customers, employees, and other key stakeholders. Provides public relations counsel and hands-on communications support for high-profile company priorities, including rate requests, regulatory proceedings, public policy issues, energy affordability, infrastructure investment, reliability, safety, and the foundational role of natural gas in Illinois’ energy future.

Partners with Regulatory Affairs, Governmental Affairs, Customer Operations, Legal, External Affairs, business leaders, and Southern Company Gas Corporate Communications to ensure messaging is accurate, timely, aligned, and understandable for a variety of audiences. The position requires the ability to translate complex regulatory, financial, and technical information into clear, compelling narratives that support business objectives, build trust, and help stakeholders understand the customer and community value of Nicor Gas’ investments.

Responsibilities

• Implement public relations plans with tactics including press releases, social media, special events, speaking engagements, media pitching, community outreach, earned media opportunities, and shared media opportunities.
• Serve as a primary 24/7 media contact and company spokesperson.
• Support employee and executive communications as needed and directed by Sr. Manager of Corporate Communications.
• Coordinate strategy development, positioning, and messaging for earned media, including writing and distribution of approved press releases, media advisories, statements, talking points, and social media posts.
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with regional and local media to maximize accurate and balanced media coverage.
• Provide incident response to routine and unanticipated media inquiries, controversial issues, and critical incidents.
• Serve as company spokesperson for proactive and reactive media inquiries and earned media opportunities.
• Identify opportunities to influence public perception through audience engagement and assist in developing social media messaging to drive website traffic, highlight community impact, and manage brand awareness.
• Monitor and archive relevant media coverage and keep accurate records of media inquiries for internal reports.
• Provide planning and execution support for media-facing events and executive speaking engagements.
• Train designated leaders on messaging and techniques for media interviews.
• Ensure media and PR plans align with business unit objectives and corporate goals.
• Position Nicor Gas executives as industry and subject matter experts with media.
• Track and analyze media coverage and communicate potential business impacts.
• Implement or drive process improvements in PR and media relations.
• Monitor trends and innovations in PR and media relations, keeping a pulse on the natural gas industry.
• Collaborate with business leaders and peers across the enterprise to achieve PR goals.
• Coordinate information sharing and communications activities with other departmental leads and business units.
• Analyze media coverage to determine impact and outcomes of media strategy.
• Monitor progress against metrics and deliverables, creating reports on key metrics.
• Increase digital and social media presence and grow engagement on various platforms.
• Hold self and others accountable for results.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism/Media, Marketing, or a similar combination of education and work experience.
• Minimum 5-7 years of related work experience in core public relations, media relations, community relations, crisis communications, or as an official spokesperson on camera.
• Core public relations skills, including drafting communication plans, writing press releases, drafting key messages, crisis communications, and social media posts.
• Ability to translate complex concepts into easy-to-understand and relatable content for target audiences.
• Exceptionally strong written skills with proficiency in AP Style; strong verbal skills and on-camera presence.
• Proficient use of software applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, Sprout, Monday.com, and Agility.
• Self-starter with exceptional follow-through skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines and business partners.
• Enterprise perspective with a client-focused attitude.
• Proven relationship-building skills at all levels within an organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree or APR (Accredited in Public Relations) or ABC (Accredited Business Communicator) certification.
• Active role in industry organizations such as PRSA or IABC.
• Executive communications experience, including speechwriting, presentation support, and media training.
• Experience in the energy sector with a focus on regulatory and governmental affairs.
• Core media relations skills, including story pitching and relationship building.
• Executive speechwriting, presentation, and handling support experience.
• Keen understanding of calculating and reporting PR/media ROI.

Working Conditions

• Serves as 24/7 on-call company spokesperson for crisis response. Must be available for off-hour duties when necessary.
• Works in a hybrid office environment – four days a week in the Naperville office required.
• May occasionally work beyond traditional business hours to meet media deadlines or attend events as a company representative.
• Occasional travel (5-20%), which may require air travel and/or overnight stays.

About the Company

Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America’s premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.2 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states and approximately 600,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities.

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy solutions provider with national capabilities, a fiber optics network, and telecommunications services. Southern Company is committed to innovation, resilience, and sustainability, aiming for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Benefits

Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees, and health, welfare, and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program. A summary of benefits can be found here.

Pay

Base salary range: $77,258.00 - $139,620.80 USD annually. Base salary varies depending on factors including but not limited to office location, role, skill set, and level of experience.