Manager, Corporate Communications

Responsibilities

• Serve as a lead contact for specific Authority programs as assigned; work directly with program staff to ascertain newsworthy announcements and potential media events to build awareness of the Authority’s mission and New York State energy-related priorities.
• Develop an in-depth understanding of a variety of program areas and draft press releases, talking points, conference and event briefing materials, and other documents to support public and media relations efforts.
• Develop and maintain close working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, as well as media outlets, in development of newsworthy announcements.
• Work with management to provide recommendations and guidance to program teams on public relations efforts in support of NYSERDA positions and initiatives with the goal of achieving positive feedback among external and internal constituencies.
• Work closely with social media colleagues to develop and execute NYSERDA messaging across social media platforms.
• Work closely with Assistant Director of Communications in the development of news releases, responses to inquiries and other media-related communications; work with the Sr. Vice President of Corporate Communications, Marketing, Events and Social Media, the Sr. Director of Corporate Communications, the Assistant Director of Communications, and the Director of Government Affairs as needed for sensitive and significant issues.
• Work jointly with other departments ensuring that all items meet the highest professional standards of accuracy, clarity, and style. Liaise with internal departments including marketing, web, and social media to ensure consistency of message.
• Build networks within NYSERDA, and other energy and environment agencies.
• Perform other responsibilities as necessary.
• Perform all job responsibilities with respect, fairness, consistency, and inclusion.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years’ related experience directly working in a corporate or government communications or public relations department; communications experience in the clean energy and building decarbonization, environmental justice, or finance sectors
• Excellent work ethic, resolute integrity, detail oriented with a commitment to delivering a high-quality and accurate work product, with a track record of putting the success of the team first.
• Ability to assess potential effects of NYSERDA decisions on public attitudes, effectively apprise Assistant Director of Communications, Sr. Director of Communications and Sr. Vice President of Corporate Communications, Marketing, Events Management and Social Media of such factors and help inform decision making for public response.
• Ability to work effectively with members of the news media, executives in NYSERDA, and colleagues in other state agencies and industry stakeholders and organizations.
• Excellent journalistic, presentation and interpersonal skills that resonate with a variety of audiences; ability to communicate persuasively, concisely, and unambiguously in speech and in writing.
• The ability to express complex technical and organizational concepts in terms understandable to the news media and public, track record of creative and proactive approaches for pitching news stories.
• Strong project management skills: ability to work well under pressure and a respect for internal and external deadlines; manage multiple diverse activities simultaneously, deliver on commitments and varying deadlines, and operate/make decisions with speed, accuracy, and strong judgment.
• Must be available to be on call during off-hours (nights and weekends)
• Proficient with Microsoft O365 Suite (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, MS Teams) and comfortable learning and leveraging software applications and databases.

Preferred

• Master's degree and 3 years' experience in the clean energy and building decarbonization, environmental justice, or finance sectors