Senior Internal Communications Specialist

I. Introduction

The purpose of the Senior Internal Communications Specialist is to promote internal communication practices that engage employees, build knowledge, and strengthen ElectriCities’ ability to serve our members and one another.

The Senior Internal Communications Specialist develops, executes, and evaluates ElectriCities’ internal communications strategy and provides oversight and coordination for our various internal communications channels. This role collaborates with ElectriCities’ leadership, internal departments, teams, and committees to identify internal communication needs and develops plans and content to meet these needs.

II. Major Duties and Responsibilities

1. Collaborate with key stakeholders to develop and oversee ElectriCities’ internal communication strategy, ensuring alignment with our core values, the ElectriCities Purpose, the Public Power Strategic Plan, and annual business objectives. This includes identifying communication channels and mediums to reach all employees, maintaining a regular content calendar, and evaluating effectiveness of communication practices.
2. Partner with cultural initiative leaders to promote and shape ElectriCities’ culture using appropriate internal communications methods.
3. Maintain a strong understanding of all aspects of the business and our culture and assess appropriate internal communication content and mediums by:
   1. Establishing cross-departmental relationships and participating in internal department meetings as appropriate
   2. Participating in cross-departmental meetings and/or internal project teams
   3. Engaging with internal culture building committees
   4. Attending ElectriCities member conferences, meetings, and webinars as appropriate
   5. Participating in networking opportunities with relevant industry organizations
   6. Participating in development and networking opportunities within relevant professional organizations
4. Oversee the structure and content of the ElectriCities intranet, including establishing site governance, developing standard operating procedures, ensuring alignment with ElectriCities Brand Standards, and developing, maintaining, and auditing content.
5. Coordinate and monitor all enterprise-wide communications, ensuring consistency in tone and messaging. This may include drafting (where appropriate), editing, and facilitating distribution of communications, policies, or other formal communications from various areas of the business.
6. Coordinate all-employee meetings, including recommending appropriate structure and cadence, planning content and speakers, supporting hosts, and facilitating promotion and follow up.
7. Support emergency and crisis response through participation in ElectriCities Emergency Response Plan team and/or assisting with crisis communication efforts as it relates to internal messaging.
8. Collaborate with the Human Resources and Communications teams to evaluate opportunities to recognize ElectriCities’ employees and employer brand both internally and externally.
9. Adhere to all aspects of the ElectriCities Brand Standards to maintain the integrity of the ElectriCities brand. Work within company guidelines and policies.
10. Maintain knowledge of emerging communications and engagement tools and practices and make recommendations as appropriate.
11. Monitor and measure effectiveness of internal communications and make recommendations to ElectriCities leadership as needed.
12. Maintain positive relationships with stakeholders, including relationships with peers within the organization and membership, at other organizations, and others that foster synergy on common issues.
13. Foster an environment of collaboration and teamwork to effectively work with other departments/divisions and fellow employees.
14. Other duties as assigned.

III. Physical Requirements

The Senior Internal Communications Specialist must maintain the physical condition necessary to perform tasks in an office setting such as operating a personal computer, keyboard, and other peripheral equipment. Travel within the state of North Carolina is required. Periodic travel within the U.S. may also be required for development and networking purposes.

IV. Controls

The Senior Internal Communications Specialist reports directly to the Vice President, Human Resources who reviews the employee’s work and provides professional guidance as needed. This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

V. Qualifications

1. A bachelor’s degree, preferably in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field or equivalent work experience.
2. 5+ years of experience in internal communications, corporate communications, or a related field, which includes experience developing communication strategies and managing internal communications tools.
3. Experience with content creation and delivery across various mediums, including email, intranet, newsletters, video, and presentations.
4. Strong working knowledge of various design tools including the Adobe suite and Canva.
5. Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills and proficiency and knowledge of AP Style.
6. Proficiency with and knowledge of Microsoft Office tools and Microsoft SharePoint.
7. Excellent interpersonal, oral communication, and presentation skills. Experience collaborating successfully with multidisciplinary teams.
8. Ability to work on multiple projects with frequently changing priorities in a collaborative environment.
9. Acute attention to detail and comfort in developing and working with project plans and timelines.
10. Ability to think strategically, exercise good judgment, and innovate.
11. Strong level of initiative and ability to work with minimal supervision.