Sr Comm Specialist External

Company Summary Statement

Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company, part of the PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) family of companies, are regulated utilities that serve more than 1.3 million customers and have consistently ranked among the best companies for customer service in the United States. LG&E serves 334,000 natural gas and 433,000 electric customers in Louisville and 16 surrounding counties. KU serves 569,000 customers in 77 Kentucky counties and five counties in Virginia. LG&E and KU are major employers and active supporters of the communities they serve. They empower employees, community members and initiatives across their service territory through volunteerism and investments in organizations that support education, sustainability and wellbeing.

Overview

Under general supervision with latitude for independent actions, performs various corporate communications assignments involving media relations and social media. Coordinates company responses to media inquiries and proposes proactive opportunities to generate positive brand awareness. Rotates being on-call as a company spokesperson, and works to strengthen interest, understanding and goodwill among key stakeholders. Responsible for helping to manage the company's online reputation and image and ensure compelling content in digital channels.

Responsibilities

- Along with the department senior director, manager and media relations manager, this person handles media spokesperson duties for Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company, especially LG&E.

- Helps execute the company's media and social media strategies. Helps develop and coordinate special internal programs and external activities.

- Develops and writes press releases, fact sheets, presentations and other external materials. Provides support writing articles and news stories for distribution to employees and within the company. Prepares or helps coordinate presentations, scripts, displays, visuals and slides.

- Assists with public relations activities involving employees, agencies, media and the public. Helps plan and organize internal programs, news conferences and related activities.

- Monitors mentions of the company on social channels. Helps determine what response, if any, should be initiated. Posts responses and creates content that educates users about key energy issues. Uses the company’s social media management software to plan and publish content. Helps measuring the success of the company’s social media activities.

- Writes, edits, updates, and publishes content for the company’s various online external communication channels, including, but not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, Nextdoor, YouTube and other social media platforms. Coordinate with department members and management to bolster the company’s online presence and enhance its reputation.

- Performs and uses analytic research to help determine most effective ways of communicating external company programs.

- Suggests creative ideas for media opportunities, keeping in mind the company brand, image and strategy.

- Provides support for special company projects, at the direction of the department’s management team, which may be assigned to the Communications and Corporate Responsibility department as a result of corporate initiatives, new programs or business processes.

- Provides proactive, effective communications support and counsel to assigned in-house clients. Successful client relationships require regular attendance at staff meetings, learning the client's business needs and communications challenges, developing internal and external stories and other communications about initiatives/programs for clients' various audiences (employees, customers, media, community), and managing special projects.

- Performs other duties as assigned

- Complies with all policies and standards

Qualifications

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Marketing or related field

Required Experience 5+ years of experience in Public Relations, Journalism, Corporate Communications or Marketing.

Preferred Qualifications

- Ability to perform as a mid-level spokesperson (including prior news interview experience with members of the television, print and radio media). Experience in social media at a professional level. Experience shooting and editing video is preferred.

- Solid interpersonal skills and self-confidence are fundamental. Ability to listen effectively and communicate influentially is critical. Must demonstrate an advanced ability to write for diverse audiences across a variety of electronic mediums. Candidates should have experience with public speaking, writing, presentation development and basic business issues. Candidates must have the highest standards for personal integrity, presentation and commitment to task.