Sempra Services Corporation
Senior External Communications Manager
Sempra Services Corporation, Houston, Texas, United States, 77246
Job Description
Primary PurposeThis position will cover a broad range of strategic external communications including media, executive positioning and strategic storytelling, helping position the company as a leader in the North American energy infrastructure industry.
This position will play a key role in managing our corporate reputation, owning the company narrative and developing audience specific messaging – all to be refreshed and tested on an ongoing basis. Develop and manage key media relationships at the local, state and national level, ensuring a consistent and comprehensive approach to all external communications. Also partner with the external affairs and government affairs departments to ensure strategic and aligned messaging and campaigns in support of development projects.
Lead the development of a rapid-response crisis communications team able to cover both issues management as well as crisis issues. Perhaps most importantly, this role will lead the U.S. based external communications team, foster a culture of trust, diversity and high-performance, and actively develop those who report to the role.
We are seeking a candidate who can cut through the "noise" during mission critical moments and is a purpose driven leader with strong judgment and the ability to manage concurrent high-profile projects. This individual will need to meet the needs of a varied set of stakeholders and be comfortable in a dynamic environment with rapidly shifting priorities and some level of ambiguity.
Duties and Responsibilities
Develop and execute strategic company narrative and executive positioning plans aligned with the overall business strategy and trending news topics/issues.Manage, develop, and mentor communications team members.Manage media relations at the local, state and national levels. Develop relationships with national and trade media and pitch stories appropriately. Develop media strategy closely aligned to business strategy and performance objectives.Partner on message development and provide media training and coaching as appropriate for key executive spokespeople.Oversee and develop content for press releases, bylined articles, key messages, media statements, Q A documents, and briefings.Develop, maintain and coordinate rapid-response crisis communications team and plan.Develop effective partnerships across the Sempra Infrastructure and Sempra Corporate organizations, including external affairs, HR, IR, Legal, and other Sempra operating companies.Oversee media measurement and monitoring to stay abreast of the industry and sustainability landscape; evolve public relations strategies based on data and insights.Perform other duties as assigned (no more than 5% of duties).Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications or public relations required.Experience
10 years of corporate, agency or public-sector public relations experience with experience as a media spokesperson, working with executives and developing internal communications strategies required.Industry experience and knowledge preferred.Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must have excellent writing and versatile communications skills to draft and edit strategic communications including press releases, speeches, memos and statements.Must have the ability to manage projects against deadlines, translate complex material into comprehensible language for targeted audiences, and to work effectively in a large organization with multiple layers.Must have strong and proactive communications planning, issues and project management skills, sound judgment, creativity, resourcefulness and be results oriented.Proven track record of working with journalists in high-stakes settings, including issues management.Demonstrated success in developing ongoing relationships that result in strong media placements in top tier media.Proven ability to collaborate with internal stakeholders and develop strong relationships to ensure success.Highly motivated, with ability to make decisions quickly.Flexible and agile, with the ability to change course when need arises.Proven track record of working constructively with senior leadership.Previous experience working at a publicly traded company.
Total Rewards Philosophy
Note: The Company strives to ensure that employees are paid equitably and competitively. Starting salaries may vary based on factors such as relevant experience, qualifications, and education.
Sempra Infrastructure offers a competitive total rewards package that goes beyond base salary. This position is eligible for an annual performance-based incentive (bonus) as well as merit-based recognition. Company benefits include health and welfare (medical, dental, vision), employer contributions to retirement benefits, life insurance, paid time off, as well as other company offerings such as tuition reimbursement, paid parental leave, and employee assistance programs.
Primary PurposeThis position will cover a broad range of strategic external communications including media, executive positioning and strategic storytelling, helping position the company as a leader in the North American energy infrastructure industry.
This position will play a key role in managing our corporate reputation, owning the company narrative and developing audience specific messaging – all to be refreshed and tested on an ongoing basis. Develop and manage key media relationships at the local, state and national level, ensuring a consistent and comprehensive approach to all external communications. Also partner with the external affairs and government affairs departments to ensure strategic and aligned messaging and campaigns in support of development projects.
Lead the development of a rapid-response crisis communications team able to cover both issues management as well as crisis issues. Perhaps most importantly, this role will lead the U.S. based external communications team, foster a culture of trust, diversity and high-performance, and actively develop those who report to the role.
We are seeking a candidate who can cut through the "noise" during mission critical moments and is a purpose driven leader with strong judgment and the ability to manage concurrent high-profile projects. This individual will need to meet the needs of a varied set of stakeholders and be comfortable in a dynamic environment with rapidly shifting priorities and some level of ambiguity.
Duties and Responsibilities
Develop and execute strategic company narrative and executive positioning plans aligned with the overall business strategy and trending news topics/issues.Manage, develop, and mentor communications team members.Manage media relations at the local, state and national levels. Develop relationships with national and trade media and pitch stories appropriately. Develop media strategy closely aligned to business strategy and performance objectives.Partner on message development and provide media training and coaching as appropriate for key executive spokespeople.Oversee and develop content for press releases, bylined articles, key messages, media statements, Q A documents, and briefings.Develop, maintain and coordinate rapid-response crisis communications team and plan.Develop effective partnerships across the Sempra Infrastructure and Sempra Corporate organizations, including external affairs, HR, IR, Legal, and other Sempra operating companies.Oversee media measurement and monitoring to stay abreast of the industry and sustainability landscape; evolve public relations strategies based on data and insights.Perform other duties as assigned (no more than 5% of duties).Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications or public relations required.Experience
10 years of corporate, agency or public-sector public relations experience with experience as a media spokesperson, working with executives and developing internal communications strategies required.Industry experience and knowledge preferred.Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must have excellent writing and versatile communications skills to draft and edit strategic communications including press releases, speeches, memos and statements.Must have the ability to manage projects against deadlines, translate complex material into comprehensible language for targeted audiences, and to work effectively in a large organization with multiple layers.Must have strong and proactive communications planning, issues and project management skills, sound judgment, creativity, resourcefulness and be results oriented.Proven track record of working with journalists in high-stakes settings, including issues management.Demonstrated success in developing ongoing relationships that result in strong media placements in top tier media.Proven ability to collaborate with internal stakeholders and develop strong relationships to ensure success.Highly motivated, with ability to make decisions quickly.Flexible and agile, with the ability to change course when need arises.Proven track record of working constructively with senior leadership.Previous experience working at a publicly traded company.
Total Rewards Philosophy
Note: The Company strives to ensure that employees are paid equitably and competitively. Starting salaries may vary based on factors such as relevant experience, qualifications, and education.
Sempra Infrastructure offers a competitive total rewards package that goes beyond base salary. This position is eligible for an annual performance-based incentive (bonus) as well as merit-based recognition. Company benefits include health and welfare (medical, dental, vision), employer contributions to retirement benefits, life insurance, paid time off, as well as other company offerings such as tuition reimbursement, paid parental leave, and employee assistance programs.