Manager, Communications

Finding a rewarding career takes hard work, dedication and a company that gives you opportunities to excel and grow professionally. At NOVEC, we believe in supporting our employees, our community and providing great service to our customers. Ready to start your journey toward a rewarding career in the utility industry? Apply today!

SUMMARY

Provides direction, supervision, and oversight for communications staff activities, internal and external communications efforts, community initiatives, and member events. Responsible for the development, coordination, and implementation of a variety of projects related to stakeholder engagement. Leverages communication best practices, survey data, and available analytics to implement strategic, multi-faceted communications programs designed to build and strengthen NOVEC's reputation as a leader in the utility industry. Provides accurate, timely, and useful information about NOVEC, energy use, and other relevant topics to customers and employees.

This position will be hybrid in Manassas, Virginia after an initial on-site introductory period of 6 months. A relocation package is available if needed for the successful eligible candidate.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides leadership within the Communications Department to ensure required human resource administration, staffing, training, coaching, development, work assignments, performance management, individual goals and objectives, and compliance with company policies and procedures are met.
• In collaboration with Department Vice President, develops Communications Department goals and measures team performance.
• Ensures NOVEC's strategic communications plan and crisis plan are up to date.
• Oversees the development and maintenance of all of NOVEC's customer-facing applications and programs, including NOVEC's website, mobile app, and text message application, as well as NOVEC's internal SharePoint site.
• Coordinates and oversees daily staff activities, programs, and projects in the Communications Department.
• Monitors customer satisfaction data and develops comprehensive communications strategies to address critical issues and topics of interest consistent with the data and the cooperative's strategic plan.
• Holds monthly communication-planning meetings and oversees the production of internal and external communication efforts, including all bill inserts, newsletters, magazine pages, digital signage, intranet information, and social media content.
• Assists the CEO with the planning, writing, and editing of their monthly letter in the magazine.
• Writes articles for publications, as necessary, and participates in the team review and editing of all internal and external publications - meeting all associated publication deadlines.
• Ensures all communications, internal and external, relevant to the cooperatives and customer's needs are met in a manner consistent with the strategic plan.
• Serves as a media contact.
• Assists in planning and implementing marketing efforts for NOVEC's affiliate companies - NS and NES.
• Oversees staff activities related to community initiatives, including NOVEC HELPS, Youth Tour, and NOVEC's Scholarship program.
• Coordinates NOVEC's Annual Meeting including working with all vendors and divisions to ensure a successful meeting, coordinating the board of directors' voting process, proxy distribution, in-person voting, and the recording of board member candidate speeches.
• Serves as the point of contact for third-party service providers and applications.
• Maintains effective working relationships with staff members of state and national trade associations, as well as other electric cooperatives and communication professionals.
• Assists with monitoring local, state, and national current events and political actions related to NOVEC and its stakeholders. Develops strategies to effectively communicate to the cooperative's customer-owners regarding such issues.
• Contributes to achieving departmental goals through active participation in the planning and administration of departmental budget and strategic objectives and by consistently supporting team efforts to achieve established goals.
• Professionally represents NOVEC and maintains positive communications and productive business relationships through participation in business-related events and activities, as required.
• Works continually towards self-development to stay current on communications, public relations, and web design procedures and practices.
• Performs all other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, or a related field from an accredited institution is required, or an equivalent Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, or a related field from an accredited institution is required, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Master's degree in Communication or Public Relations is preferred.
• 7 years of related experience, including supervision of programs and people, is required.
• 3 years of related demonstrated experience with content management, AP Style writing, editing, photography, and graphic design is required.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrated ability to function independently in a multi-task environment, as well as part of a team.
• Develops and maintains a practical knowledge and understanding of company policies and procedures as well as applicable federal, state, and local laws.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and use content management systems.
• Demonstrated proficiency with general computer operation and Microsoft Office applications.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and efficiently with all levels within the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate and meet rapidly changing customer and business needs by quickly refocusing and realigning strategic and operational direction.
• Demonstrated ability to apply strong writing, editing, and communications skills internally and externally.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and apply generally accepted accounting principles and mathematical skills as may be required in the position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS representative of those required of an employee to perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, there is a limited degree of standing; walking; reaching; with hands or arms; stooping; kneeling; crouching, or crawling as necessary to take photographs in addition to driving a light-duty vehicle. There is a high degree of sitting and using hands and fingers such as while typing or grasping objects. The position duties require the ability to occasionally lift and/or exert a force of up to 50 pounds unassisted.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Competitive salary and Incentive plan

• Premier health benefits, including an onsite wellness center.

• Survivor and Disability benefits

• 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% base salary match and an additional match of your contribution at a rate of 50% up to the first 12%

• Life insurance

• Vacation, Sick and Holiday Leave

• Educational Assistance

• Annual Company Events

NOVEC is an equal opportunity employer and participates in E-Verify. We do not provide sponsorship for this position.