On-Call Senior Lead Specialist, Issues Management and Media Relations

Responsibilities

• Leading reputation management, media relations and strategic communications strategy and activities the utility sector.
• Serve as an advisor to utility executives and corporate communication leaders navigating reputation threats and operational friction.
• Lead and collaborate with colleagues across various accounts to ensure that media relations is integrated with other disciplines, including social media, paid media, creative services, and owned media.
• Write talking points for executives, persuasive op-ed, paid content that advances of sharp strategy segmented by audiences.
• Stay apprised of industry trends, including the use of AI, to advise clients.
• Serve as a key team member on ICF’s utilty reputation management and brand strategy practice.

Requirements

• BS/BA in Marketing, PR, communications or related field.
• 12+ years of demonstrated experience:
• Managing public relations, media relations, or communications staff
• Leading the strategic development of media-focused campaigns and initiatives and/or programmatic and external affairs activities.
• Serving as a trusted advisor to clients or senior leadership.
• Applying innovative techniques in media relations to generate news coverage.
• Knowledge of public relations, public affairs and integrated communications.

Preferred

• Excellent oral communication skills.
• Ability to predict and mitigate problems or conflicts.
• Strong organizational abilities and logistics skills.
• PR agency, journalism, corporate or government agency experience preferred.
• Self-starter, with ability to independently manage tasks and handle multiple priorities.