Responsibilities

• Develops and executes strategic communications that protect and strengthen Nicor Gas’ reputation with media, regulators, legislators, community leaders, customers, employees and other key stakeholders.
• Provides public relations counsel and hands-on communications support for high-profile company priorities, including rate requests, regulatory proceedings, public policy issues, energy affordability, infrastructure investment, reliability, safety and the foundational role of natural gas in Illinois’ energy future.
• Partners with Regulatory Affairs, Governmental Affairs, Customer Operations, Legal, External Affairs, business leaders and Southern Company Gas Corporate Communications to help ensure messaging is accurate, timely, aligned and understandable for a variety of audiences.
• Implements public relations plans with tactics including press releases, social media, special events, speaking engagements, media pitching, community outreach, earned media opportunities, shared media opportunities and more.
• Serves as a primary 24/7 media contact and company spokesperson.
• Also supports employee and executive communications as needed and directed by Sr. Manager of Corporate Communications.
• Coordinate strategy development, positioning and write messaging for earned media including writing and distribution of approved press releases, media advisories and statements, talking points, social media posts, etc.
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with regional and local media who cover the company and work to maximize accurate and balanced media coverage to deliver important information to external constituencies.
• Work closely with leaders to provide incident response to routine media inquiries as well as unanticipated events, controversial issues and other critical incidents.
• Serve as company spokesperson for both proactive and reactive media inquiries, earned media opportunities, etc.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, Communications, Journalism/Media, Marketing or similar combination of education and work experience.
• Minimum 5-7 years.
• Core public relations skills (drafting communication plans, writing press releases, drafting key messages, crisis communications, social media posts, etc.).
• Ability to translate complex concepts into easy-to-understand and relatable ones for target audiences.
• Exceptionally strong written skills with proficiency in AP Style; strong verbal skills; on-camera presence.
• Proficient use of various software applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, Sprout, Monday.com, Agility
• Self-starter with exceptional follow-through skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines and business partners.
• Ability to hold self and others accountable for results.
• Enterprise perspective with client-focused attitude.

Preferred

• Advanced degree or APR (Accredited in Public Relations) or ABC (Accredited Business Communicator) certification; Active role in industry organization such as PRSA or IABC.
• Core Public Relations, Media Relations, Community Relations, Crisis Communications, Official Spokesperson on camera.
• Executive communications experience: Speechwriting, presentation support, media training
• Experience in energy sector with a focus on regulatory and governmental affairs.

Benefits

• Southern Company Invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being.
• This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s).
• A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here https://seo.nlx.org/southernco/pdf/SOCO-Benefits.pdf .
• Additional and specific details about total compensation and benefits will also be provided during the hiring process.