Manager, Communications

Overview

This candidate will support Orange & Rockland's communications team in enabling progress across the company's core business by shaping public perception, fostering understanding of company activities, and ensuring alignment with corporate messaging and objectives. The Manager, Communications, creates opportunities to enhance the company's reputation and credibility, which in turn attracts new business opportunities. The ideal candidate will demonstrate an ability to proactively seek positive media placements through news outlets, effectively manage crisis communications and generate content for the company's social media channels. Key functions are to initiate positive publicity about the company, prepare news releases, public statements, talking points, proactive stories across social media channels, internal stories and other materials; along with monitoring print, broadcast, social and all forms of digital media, and maintain open communications between the company and the media, customers and other external stakeholders. Support the communications team by educating the public about the value of Orange & Rockland's nation leading reliability, the impact of our clean energy initiatives, and our efforts to make energy costs more affordable through energy efficiency programs and advocacy for expanded support for low-income customers. The position also requires the individual to be available for response to emergencies and media inquiries. This involves taking overnight media calls on a rotating basis with other colleagues after regular work hours. This is a hybrid position, with three days in the office in Pearl River, NY.

Responsibilities

Core Responsibilities

- Write news releases, talking points and other materials under tight deadlines, assist company spokesperson and company leadership on major issues and events, and initiate positive publicity about the company and its employees through media outlets and social channels.

- Distinguish the needs of storytelling across various media such as social media, video, podcasts and print, and have a proven track record of proactive, positive media placements and experience associated with crisis communications.

- Maintain open communications between the company and the news media, customers and other external stakeholders, initiating contact with or responding to print, television, radio and social media.

- Educate the public about the value of Orange & Rocklands nation leading reliability, the impact of our clean energy initiatives, and our efforts to make energy costs more affordable through energy efficiency programs and advocacy for expanded support for low-income customers.

- Participate in the evening and weekend coverage of the Media Relations duty phone on a rotating basis with other office colleagues, particularly during storm-related events.

- Maintain thorough familiarity with and promote all major company programs; work with other departments and organizations to develop and implement media relations activities to support their goals and objectives.

- Ensure implementation of company safety, health and environmental programs. Ensure that safe practices are followed, and the environment is fully protected in accordance with company policy and government regulations.

- Perform other related administrative tasks and assignments as required.

Qualifications

Required Education/Experience

- Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, English or Communications and 7 years experience in a cross functional environment, public affairs agency, news organization or media relations office of a large corporation or government agency.

Relevant Work Experience

- Minimum 7 years experience working in a cross functional environment, public affairs agency, news organization or media relations office of a large corporation or government agency, required.

- Knowledge of how the news media works and understanding their needs and demands for information, as well as being able to prioritize information and to anticipate reporters inquiries are musts, required.

- Ability to interact with news media and various levels of management, required.

- Ability to prepare news releases, talking points and/or other written material under tight deadlines, required.

- Available for response to emergencies and media inquiries. This involves taking overnight media calls on a rotating basis with other colleagues after regular work hours, required.

- Ability to distinguish the needs of digital storytelling across various media such as social media, video, and have a proven track record of proactive, positive media placements and experience associated with crisis communications, required.

- Must be highly motivated, enthusiastic, detail-oriented and have the ability to perform under emergency or high-pressure conditions, required.

- Demonstrated ability to understand and explain complex technical and policy matters, required.

- Participates in the Company's emergency management processes and storm plans by responding to media inquiries and monitoring social media channels, required.

- Experience developing and executing social media campaigns and strategy, preferred.

Skills and Abilities

- Strong written and verbal communication skills

- Develops and delivers effective presentations

- Effective interpersonal skills

Licenses and Certifications

- Driver's License Required

Physical Demands

- Work rotating shifts, including nights, midnights, weekends and holidays

Additional Physical Demands

- The selected candidate will be assigned a System Emergency Assignment (i.e., an emergency response role) and will be expected to work non-business hours during emergencies, which may include nights, weekends, and holidays.

- Must be able and willing to travel within Company service territory, as needed.