Responsibilities

• lead the development and execution of communication strategies, member engagement initiatives, and community outreach efforts that strengthen our brand, enhance member satisfaction, and support organizational growth.
• serve as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, helping shape organizational strategies and priorities while leading initiatives that connect members, employees, communities, and stakeholders to Great Lakes Energy's mission and values.
• review communication plans, member engagement metrics, or department performance goals.
• collaborate with leaders across the organization to ensure consistent messaging, support strategic initiatives, and identify opportunities to enhance the member experience.
• oversee internal and external communications, guide public relations efforts, advise leadership on communication strategies, and manage content across digital, social media, website, video, and print channels.
• work closely with team members responsible for energy programs, member outreach, and community engagement initiatives.
• meeting with community leaders, business partners, elected officials, schools, and industry organizations to strengthen relationships and represent the Cooperative at public events and industry functions.
• analyze member feedback and engagement data to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and innovation.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Business, or a related field, with at least 10 years of relevant professional experience.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
• Previous leadership experience, including at least two years of supervising and developing employees, is required.
• Experience developing and executing strategic communications, public relations, and member engagement initiatives.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including business writing, editing, proofreading, and public speaking.
• Proficiency with website administration, social media platforms, content management systems, and digital communication tools.
• Experience with photography, videography, publication design, and presentation software.
• Leadership Skills: Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop employees while building strong relationships across the organization and throughout the communities we serve.
• Strategic thinking, sound business judgment, and effective decision-making skills.
• Ability to influence others, navigate change, and align communication efforts with organizational goals.

Preferred

• Familiarity with electric cooperative operations, principles, and member-focused business practices is preferred.

Benefits

• The Essentials - We cover the cost of comprehensive health insurance. You'll be hard-pressed to find better for you and your family...seriously!
• Time to Spend- Generous paid time off (PTO) puts you in the driver's seat, letting you decide how to make the most of your time away from work.
• Better Health Through Better Living- Healthy employees are happy employees. Our diverse wellness program supports your physical, financial, and mental well-being.
• When Life Hands You Lemons - We know life doesn't always go as planned. That's why we offer life insurance, as well as short- and long-term disability insurance-fully paid by GLE to provide peace of mind when the unexpected happens.
• More Time with Your Baby-New parents get time off to bond with their new bundle of joy. Parental leave benefits provide two weeks of family-friendly paid leave for moms and dads to bond and care for their growing families. Growing your family through adoption? You're awesome! We may be able to help you with related expenses up to $2,000.
• Never Stop Learning - We hire talented people for a reason, and we want you to stick around. That's why we invest in your training and development. Whether it's advancing your education, learning new skills, or job shadowing another role, we're here to support your career growth.
• Riding Off Into the Sunset- Your future is important to us, and we've got the numbers to back it up. We offer two retirement savings plans for eligible employees-a traditional pension and a 401(k) option. Our participation rates are through the roof!