Vice President of Strategic Communications

About Us:

North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives is the family of organizations that provides services and support to 26 community-based electric distribution cooperatives across our state. This family includes North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation (NCEMC), the wholesale power supplier to many of the electric cooperatives; North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives (NCAEC), the cooperatives’ trade association; and Tarheel Electric Membership Association, Inc. (TEMA), a central purchasing and materials-supply cooperative.

Organization:

North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives

Summary Description:

The Vice President of Strategic Communications is a key member of the cross-organizational senior team, responsible for defining and executing a comprehensive brand and reputation management strategy and leading departments representing earned, owned and paid media messaging. This position reports to the Chief Operating Officer of NCAEC and requires leadership credibility, foresight, the ability to balance strategic thinking with tactical implementation, and a members-first attitude.

This is a highly visible position, with an internal focus on team management and providing communications counsel to executive leadership and an external focus of effectively messaging on a variety of complex topics to audiences including the media, policy makers, economic developers, cooperative employees and cooperative consumer-members. Most importantly, this person will work closely with co-ops across the state to develop a strong understanding of evolving communications needs and create strategies to match.

Academic and Trade Qualifications:

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

Work Experience:

15+ years in a communications-based discipline, including previous leadership roles and experience and enthusiasm for a fast-paced environment. Utility, cooperative and/or trade association experience is a plus, although not required.

Responsibilities:

- Build and protect the reputation of the network of North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives by staying aware of critical industry issues and opportunities and developing communication strategies to match.

- Oversee and support three departments – Corporate Communications, Brand Strategy and Publications – driving collaboration across the teams to ensure messaging and campaigns are thoughtfully and effectively integrated. The Publications department is responsible for publishing a monthly member magazine, Carolina Country.

- Work with teams and member cooperatives to identify new opportunities to elevate our brand, voice and messaging.

- Cultivate a cohesive multi-channel, multi-platform communication strategy that supports cooperative messaging objectives by audience.

- Champion data-driven decision making by leveraging in-house consumer insights and other key engagement metrics.

- Work together with teams across the organization, including technical teams, government relations, economic development, HR and more, to ensure communications strategies are integrated companywide.

- Stay engaged with activities across the network of North Carolina’s electric cooperatives, identifying opportunities to support cooperative needs and/or communicate wins.

- Prioritize relationship-building, particularly as it relates to our member cooperatives.

- Lead teams and act as individual contributor during crisis events, including natural and manmade disasters.

Job Knowledge:

Proven track record in designing and executing integrated communications plans, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment and thinking critically.

Abilities and Skills:

- A service mindset, with the ability to balance strategic thinking with tactical implementation.

- Deep understanding of modern media ecosystems and how they fit together.

- Exceptional interpersonal, public speaking and writing skills to represent the brand with key internal and external stakeholders

- Strategic thinker with a meticulous attention to detail, working well with others and meeting deadlines.

- The ability to multitask and adapt in a fast-paced environment and solve complex problems/issues thoughtfully and under pressure

Relationships and Contacts:

Reports to: COO, NCAEC; manages three director-level direct reports.

Working Conditions:

Normal working conditions, including some travel and responsibilities outside of normal business hours. Includes working shifts during crisis conditions, such as hurricanes and ice storms. In-office/remote hybrid available.

North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants for employment.