Manager - Internal & External Communications

Company Summary Statement

PPL Electric Utilities delivers safe, reliable and affordable electricity to more than 1.4 million homes and businesses throughout its 29-county service territory in eastern and central Pennsylvania. Through smart investments and innovation, it has built one of the most advanced electric grids in the United States. And, with over a century of expertise, PPL Electric remains focused on continuing to build the utility of the future, today. Regularly ranking among the country’s best utility companies for reliability and customer satisfaction, PPL Electric has won numerous awards, including 30 J.D. Power Awards for providing top-quality service to residential and business customers. PPL Electric is a major employer and an active supporter of the communities it serves. Empowering employees, community members and initiatives across its service territory through volunteerism and investments in organizations that support education, sustainability, and wellbeing.
Overview

The Manager of Internal and External Communications is an expert resource leading the planning, execution and evaluation of internal and external communications for PPL Electric Utilities.  Reporting to the Director, EU Communications, this person is responsible for enhancing the company image and reputation among employees and external stakeholders. Serves as a media spokesperson for the company and has an extensive network of relationships within the Pennsylvania and trade media. In addition, this role is responsible for strategic planning of communications initiatives to ensure that the team accomplishes its goals and objectives.

Responsibilities

The person in this role must be an experienced people leader, project manager and strategic communicator capable of executing the following responsibilities:
• Work with Director to develop effective messaging based on a thorough understanding of business operations and goals and consistently use this messaging across all platforms and channels to advance the interests of the company.
• Manages and implements communication strategies that enhance the company’s image and reputation among key stakeholders. Executes the company’s media relations, strategic communications and employee communications plans. Ensures that the messages communicated internally and externally are consistent and align with our organizational and brand values.
• Manages day-to-day activities for external media relations that enhances and sustains PPL Electric’s business and brand reputation, including strategic planning; media relations/activities; print and broadcast information; public relations activities and events, native content and press releases.
• Manages day-to-day internal communications including the creation and distribution of the company communications via online portal and email.
• Develops, coordinates and executes strategic communication plans that support key business initiatives and strategies, including researching, writing, editing and managing the creation, approval and distribution of communication materials.
• Provides support to senior management, as assigned. Includes executive management presentation development and preparation for media interviews, speaking engagements.
• Participate in the development of issues management and crisis communications strategy, tactics and stakeholder outreach. Provide accurate and timely information.
• Draft and edit written materials, including press releases, talking points, speeches, blogs, social media posts and presentations.
• Serves as a key spokesperson with the media and the public. Oversees responses to media inquiries. Provides on-call, after-hours media support on a rotating basis and is prepared to manage and support crisis communications activities.
• Works closely with the Manager or Customer Engagement and Branding to ensure alignment and consistency with content calendar.
• Supervise day-to-day activities of team of strategic communicators.
• Manage the EU Communications function in the absence of the director.

Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations or related field.
2. At least 7 years of experience in a communications function with a corporation or public relations agency.
3. Excellent written and oral communications skills. Experience producing press releases, talking points, op-eds, letters to the editor, position papers and other materials on tight deadlines.
4. Exceptional strategic thinking, project/campaign management and execution skills

5. Experience dealing with news media as an official spokesperson for a company, government agency or organization is required. Must have on-camera experience and strong writing and speaking skills.
6. Must possess excellent leadership and interpersonal skills. Requires strong organizational skills, time management, multi-tasking and the ability to prioritize within restrictive time deadlines.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the energy, utility or major industrial business
• At least five years' work in the electric power industry or related, highly regulated industry
• Demonstrated ability to lead, manage, and develop a high-caliber communications team
• Self-starter/strong initiative
• Strong relationship builder; ability to work effectively at all levels of the organization
• Ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines simultaneously
• Demonstrated ability to balance vision and creative thinking with analytical rigor to meet the organizations goals
• Master's degree in journalism, communications, or relevant field
• Leadership experience