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At National Grid, we light up the world by harnessing the unique strengths of our people. Join us as aDirector of New England Strategic Communications andbe part of a team that's driving forward the energy transition, creating a brighter, more sustainable future for all.
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National Grid is hiring aDirector of New England Strategic Communications for our Corporate Affairs department in Boston, MA or Waltham, MA.
Job Purpose
The Director of Communications for National Grid's New England business is responsible for the strategic messaging development for the NE market, and messaging alignment across the US business units. This role serves as a strategic partner to the Vice President of Corporate Affairs, New England and serves as a member of the New England Corporate Affairs leadership team. The position supports the Senior Director of US Strategic Communications and the Vice President of Global Corporate Communications as part of the Communications and Brand Center of Excellence, developing and executing the external communications strategy to enhance and protect National Grid's corporate reputation. The Director of Communications works closely with all communications directors across the business and is responsible for aligning with community and government stakeholder managers to inform messaging. One of the role's chief functions is media relations, which includes developing and maintaining national reporter relationships, ensuring National Grid has a direct line to key state and national outlets on blue sky days for thought leadership and in crisis scenarios to control the narrative. Other responsibilities include executive communications, crisis management, thought leadership, and paid/earned media issue campaigns to promote National Grid's reputation.
Key Accountabilities
- Create messaging framework and narrative for the NE business, supported with key messages/FAQs that should be shared across all jurisdictions. Messaging will support business objectives. This role is responsible for ensuring all comms professionals at. National Grid sing from the same song sheet.
- Develop a proactive external communications strategy including speaking engagements, earned media, awards, content, and paid media to raise awareness of National Grid as a clean energy, DEI-focused, community first company.
- Develop and maintain relationships with key media, so that we have a collection of reporters our leaders regularly engage with and that we can call upon if needed.
- Stay in the know on all jurisdictional comms activities and knit stories together for US-wide press releases, content/collateral pieces, and thought leadership (i.e. Earth Day, Climate Week).
- Develop and execute media campaigns, in conjunction with the larger US and global communications team to support earned media strategy and raise National Grid's brand awareness in the US.
- Create an arsenal of collateral for Corporate Affairs to share externally at all engagements and as a press kit for all reporters.
- Identify reputational risk and preemptively create media strategies to mitigate that risk.
- Identify company spokespeople for NE business unit for each subject matter and pursue thought leadership opportunities (speaking, media, social) accordingly to build brand awareness.
- Prepare company spokespeople for media/speaking engagements.
- Oversee a team including a New England media relations manager, and media officer and invest in team members' development to strengthen team capabilities.
- Amplify activity through partner organizations and platforms, working with GR and community teams.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, or related field. 10+ years of experience in Communications, Public Relations or related field. Deep understanding of earned media, paid media and alternative channels for storytelling. Proven experience working with top-tier media in a corporate setting; energy sector is preferred, but not required. Proven ability to draft compelling communication, key messages, and corporate narratives. Proven experience executing earned and paid media campaigns around large infrastructure developments and/or corporate milestones. Strong leadership skills and the ability to manage and develop a high-performing team. Work in a matrixed environment is a plus. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Proven track record of building strong relationships with media outlets, key stakeholders, and influencers. Experience managing crisis communication efforts and providing counsel to senior leaders during a crisis. Experience advising executives for media/speaking engagements. Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think strategically. More Information
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Salary
$173k - $215k a year in Waltham, MA or Boston, MA.
This position has a career path which provides for advancement opportunities within and across bands as you develop and evolve in the position; gaining experience, expertise and acquiring and applying technical skills. Candidates will be assessed and provided offers against the minimum qualifications of this role and their individual experience.
National Grid is an equal opportunity employer that values a broad diversity of talent, knowledge, experience and expertise. We foster a culture of inclusion that drives employee engagement to deliver superior performance to the communities we serve. National Grid is proud to be an affirmative action employer. We encourage minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to join the National Grid team.