Director Of Communications

Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is about more than power. We’re about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas’ Best Places to work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!

We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.

We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:

- Competitive and transparent pay with bonus opportunities

- Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance

- Relocation bonus (if applicable)

- Hybrid working environment for positions that are eligible

- Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a pension (defined benefit plan) fully funded by SPP

PLEASE NOTE:SPP is not able to sponsor employment visas or student-work authorizations (STEM OPT) for this position. Please ensure you are eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship prior to applying.

COMPENSATION INFORMATION

The salary range(s) represents our good faith estimate for the role at this time. While we strive to provide competitive and transparent compensation, there may be circumstances where an offer is above or outside of the listed range. We are open to discussing salary expectations with qualified candidates considering factors such as the candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, experience and geographic location will all be considered during the hiring process.

Director of Communications | Pay Range: $144,700.00 - $188,100.00

Join Our Team as SPP’s Next Director of Communications!

Southwest Power Pool (SPP) ensuring reliable, affordable electricity for millions across the central United States is seeking an experienced, visionary Director of Communications to lead our enterprise-wide communications strategy and elevate our voice across the energy landscape.

As the Director of Communications, you will shape how SPP communicates its mission, values, and commitments to reliability, transparency, and innovation. This role is both strategic and hands-on, guiding internal and external communications, crisis messaging, brand management, and stakeholder engagement. You’ll collaborate with executives and teams across Operations, Engineering, Government Affairs, Regulatory Policy, Human Resources, and more to ensure consistent, impactful communication that builds public trust and strengthens SPP’s presence as a regional transmission organization (RTO).

What You'll Do

Strategic Communications Leadership

- Develop and execute a proactive, company-wide communications strategy that supports SPP’s mission and regulatory responsibilities.

- Ensure messaging aligns with SPP’s strategic priorities around affordability, reliability, performance, innovation, and operational excellence.

- Serve as a strategic advisor to the executive team, identifying communications opportunities and proactively flagging risks.

- Lead communications planning for major corporate initiatives, announcements, and brand evolution efforts.

External Communications

- Oversee media relations, public relations, press releases, interviews, and speechwriting for executives.

- Build and maintain relationships with energy reporters, regional media, and trade press to expand SPP’s visibility.

- Develop issue briefs and messaging for regulatory filings, Board of Directors meetings, and public consultations.

- Serve as SPP’s spokesperson or coordinate spokesperson responsibilities as needed.

- Lead strategic campaigns that highlight SPP’s value to regulators, legislators, and the public.

- Develop public education initiatives focused on transmission planning, grid modernization, renewable integration, and affordability/reliability considerations.

Internal Communications

- Lead companywide communication strategies that enhance culture, employee engagement, and organizational change.

- Partner with HR and shared services to support company announcements, town halls, and employee-recognition campaigns.

- Oversee internal communication platforms including intranet content, newsletters, and message boards, ensuring clarity and alignment.

Crisis & Risk Communications

- Lead crisis communications during grid emergencies or public scrutiny.

- Maintain, test, and improve crisis communication plans across Operations, Compliance, and IT.

- Ensure timely, multi-channel messaging during high-risk grid conditions or events.

Brand, Creative & Content Leadership

- Direct SPP’s brand voice, visual identity, and storytelling across all channels.

- Oversee creative teams developing graphics, videos, written content, and digital materials.

- Modernize SPP’s brand to strengthen engagement with regulators, legislators, media, and external stakeholders.

- Use market research and audience insights to steer communication strategies.

Team Leadership

- Manage, coach, and develop a team of communications professionals and designers.

- Promote a mission-driven, collaborative, transparent team culture.

- Build strong relationships with external agencies, videographers, creative vendors, and PR consultants.

As our Director of Communications, your leadership will shape how stakeholders see and understand the value of our work, helping to build a resilient, modern, and forward-thinking electric grid for generations to

To be successful as our Director of Communications, we're looking for:

Education Requirements:

- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related field.

Experience Requirements:

- Minimum 12 years of progressive communications experience, including at least 5 in a management or leadership role.

- Proven experience with media relations, crisis communications, and stakeholder messaging in highly regulated sectors.

- Experience in digital communication tools, data analytics and PR/marketing technologies

- Excellent writing, editing, and presentation skills.

- Strong understanding of energy markets, grid planning, or RTO environments.

- Experience working with C-suite executives and Boards of Directors.

- Must be available to respond to urgent communications needs during emergency grid events, including outside of business hours.

Preferred:

- Master’s degree in Communications, Public Affairs, or Energy-related discipline.

- Familiarity with Southwest Power Pool, FERC, NERC, or related regulatory and market structures.

- Graphic design, video production, or multimedia content development experience.

- Prior experience implementing strategic communication plans tied to corporate scorecards or strategy frameworks

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment.

Physical Demands:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.

- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to make decisions, interpret data, and problem solve.

- The employee frequently is required to stand or sit for extended periods; use hands to operate a computer keyboard and standard office equipment.

- The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 10 pounds.

- Requires the ability to work and collaborate with managers and employees at all levels to exchange ideas, information, and opinions to facilitate the task.

- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

- Understanding of compliance with and enforcement of SPP Policies and Procedures

Position Type, Location, and Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time, hybrid onsite role located in Little Rock, Arkansas. The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with occasional extended hours as business needs arise.

Travel Requirement:

This position requires minimal 20% travel.

SPP is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans and is committed to excellence. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us at HR@spp.org and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process. We will accommodate the needs of any qualified candidate who requests a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

At SPP we believe in a culture of belonging. Learn more here: Culture of Belonging - Southwest Power Pool.

Full job descriptions will be made available to those selected for an interview.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.