Vice President Communications and Community Relations

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Communications & Community Relations team while building a culture of accountability, collaboration, performance, and continuous improvement.
• Lead SEC's internal and external communications strategy with messaging that is timely, accurate, transparent, member-focused, and aligned with our mission, vision, and values.
• Strengthen internal communications and employee understanding by helping leaders communicate organizational priorities, changes, decisions, and expectations clearly and consistently.
• Serve as SEC's primary spokesperson and communications advisor, representing the cooperative in media interviews, public forums, community settings, and high-pressure situations in alignment with CEO guidance.
• Lead crisis and emergency communications during outages, storms, and other significant events, providing clear, trusted information while supporting SEC's safety-first culture and the well-being of employees, members, and communities.
• Lead SEC's organizational storytelling, proactively and creatively communicating SEC's value, purpose, people, accomplishments, challenges and impact in ways that strengthen understanding and connection with members and communities.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the executive leadership team on communications, reputation, public perception, emerging issues, and community relationships.
• Partner with executive and departmental leaders to develop clear, coordinated communication around significant organizational initiatives, complex issues, and decisions affecting employees, members, and communities.
• Plan and oversee major member and public events, including Annual Meeting and Member Advisory meetings.
• Proactively identify emerging issues, public perceptions, communication risks and opportunities that could affect SEC's reputation, member trust, or community relationships and advise Executive Leadership Team accordingly.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in marketing, journalism, public relations, communications, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of utility-related work experience in a leadership communications role.
• At least 5 years of management experience directing a comprehensive marketing, communications, or public relations department or function.
• Demonstrated experience serving as a spokesperson and leading communications through crisis, emergency, or other high-impact situations.
• Exceptional written, verbal, public speaking, media relations, and storytelling skills.
• Strong executive judgment, emotional intelligence, and the ability to communicate calmly and effectively under pressure.
• The ability to build trust and positive relationships with members, employees, board members, community leaders, media, and industry peers.