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POSITION TITLE: Director – Public Affairs (Position Filled)
SPECIFICATION NUMBER: 74897CRI
LOCATION: Fairfield County, Connecticut
COMPENSATION: Base salary: $135,000 - $165,000 + Yearly Bonus
HYBRID ROLE:After 3 months of successful employment, this role may go on a hybrid schedule (3 days office/2 days remote). This Hybrid work schedule will be discussed in the interview process and will be clarified.
COMPANY: Our client is a leader in the Utility Industry
POSITION SUMMARY:
Under direction of the Senior Vice President, Corporate Services, the Director of Public Affairs leads the development and implementation of integrated external and internal communications programs, and oversight of state government relations activities, operation of Hazard Waste and the Environmental Education Program. This role manages staff responsible for media relations, employee communications and community outreach, environmental education, government relations and Hazard Waste. The Manager will also serve as the Public Information Officer during storm and crisis events. This may include work during non-traditional hours, including evenings and weekends.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Typical duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Establishes the workflow surrounding media relations, social media, website, customer and employee communications, community outreach and education, and government relations programs and activities
Aligns public relations with marketing, and customer and employee communications to leverage content, enhance our client visibility and strengthen brand equity among all key stakeholder audiences
Works with our client’s corporate leadership and the business to manage crisis and issues management communications
Serves as our client’s media spokesperson with print and electronic media, as warranted; responds to emergencies on-site and in-person when appropriate; serves as the Public Information Officer during storm and crisis events consistent with our client’s Incident Management Plan
Proactively maintains and develops new content for corporate website ensuring that it is in line with brand guidelines and drives the corporate messaging strategy
Proactively manages and monitors the company’s social media channels to create fresh and engaging content, including social customer care and crisis management
Ensures online communications, including new communication technologies, are integrated into the overall strategy for reaching external stakeholders and the public
Researches, writes and edits media releases, feature articles and other materials for electronic media, newspaper, magazines and radio and television programs; collaborates with other our client staff to research issues of interests for the purpose of responding to inquiries from the media and the community
Keeps informed about news and media reports and other issues at the state, regional and local levels regarding water use and supply trends, and water conservation issues; recommends and/or develops meaningful measurement vehicles and monitors communication programs and campaign materials to determine the effects, and tracks results
Develops, oversees and monitors department budget and approve expenditures
Manages the development and implementation of integrated customer and employee communications, and community outreach
In conjunction with the Specialist, Government Relations & Public Affairs, reviews and analyzes local, state and federal legislative programs to determine possible impacts to our client’s policies and practices, and supports senior management’s awareness and compliance with existing, new and changing legislation.
In conjunction with the Specialist, Education, evaluates and strengthens our client’s existing education initiatives to achieve and bolster program participation goals
Initiates emergency notifications to constituents, as needed, on a 24/7 basis
Monitor and responds to company email box, as needed, during working hours
Assists in the management of the department’s style guide and branding to ensure a consistent brand message and look across the organization
Establishes performance expectations and standards for the Corporate Communications unit; oversees plans and actions for employee development; prepare and conducts employee performance evaluations
Performs related duties as assigned by Senior VP Corporate Services
QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college with major course work in public relations, journalism, English, communications, marketing, public administration or a closely related field
Master’s degree preferred
EXPERIENCE-SKILLS-ABILITIES:
Minimum of 7-10 years of increasingly responsible experience in the field of public information, including experience with news outlets, event coordination, and community outreach. Experience must also include website management and management of social media for business purposes. Three – five years of experience in a supervisory or management capacity is highly desired
Established, effective working relationships with the media, municipal, governmental and community agencies, and special interest groups
Excellent communications skills including writing, proofreading and editing skills using AP Style.
Experience with on-camera media interviews
Strong creative skills, including visual communications and knowledge of desktop publishing and audio-visual techniques
Demonstrated experience working in website management and social media management, Google Analytics, Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites; knowledge of HTML and experience with popular content and management systems; familiarity with SEO, analytics and media tracking tools and reporting
Proactive self-starter who demonstrates good judgment as well as tact and discretion to work with our client employees at all levels
Record of success in juggling multiple projects and deadlines, and working in a deadline-sensitive environment
Comfortable working with ambiguous scenarios with the ability to pivot directions as needed
Ability to work independently with little direction, and also work collaboratively with a team
Capable of executing multiple projects simultaneously
Ability to handle the job on a 24/7 basis as necessary
Communicate exceptionally and effectively both orally and in writing in a clear, concise, and effective manner; translate and disseminate technical information in an understandable manner to the public
Plan, develop, coordinate and execute a variety of public information programs and activities
Plan and develop innovative strategies to meet our client communications objectives
Direct, supervise and coordinate the work of assigned staff with multiple competing priorities and strict deadlines
Analyze problems, examine alternatives, and recommend solutions
Ability to collaborate effectively in large and small teams, and nurture team members to their full potential.
Use sound judgment in the assembly, evaluation and dissemination of information
Coordinate and work on numerous ongoing projects concurrently, meet deadlines and adjust to changing priorities
Speak publicly before a variety of groups in an effective manner, both formally and extemporaneously
Exceptional people and management skills to interact with staff, colleagues, executives and third parties
Commitment to continuous learning and improvement
Embodiment of STARS Values: Service, Teamwork, Accountability, Respect and Safety.