Communications Manager - Carolina Water Service of North Carolina
Charlotte, NC 28201
About the Job
Our Purpose is to help people enjoy a better life and communities thrive. Corix has been building, operating, and maintaining water, wastewater, electric, gas and sustainable energy utility infrastructure for many years across Canada and the U.S. Our vision is to be the preferred utility delivering co-created solutions our customers want. Throughout our history, we have helped communities to grow and thrive by implementing safe and efficient infrastructure solutions that meet their unique needs. At Corix our values are safety, integrity, excellence, and connection.
The Corix team has an opportunity for a Communications Manager based in Charlotte, NC. This role leads the external stakeholder engagement function for the Company at the local or Business Unit (BU)
level, creating and executing proactive communications strategies that reach all our stakeholders to support BU's operations and policy goals, as well as enhance brand reputation. Serves as a local spokesperson and represents the BU in interactions with the news media and customers.
What you'll do
- Strategic planning - Develop robust communications strategies and programs that promote the company and its brand and reputation to customers and other stakeholders. Strategies include, but are not limited to, an annual plan linked to the BU goals; plans to manage emergent issues; and very localized strategies to address unique needs in communities.
- Writing and plan management - Create and edit high quality messaging and other content included in each plan. Implement and manage proactive communication strategies across appropriate platforms including, but not limited to, web and social media, traditional media relations, community meetings, speeches/presentations, advertising, etc. Measure impact of each strategy.
- Media relations and emergency response - Serve as a spokesperson for the BU in support of proactive communications strategies and in response to urgent or emergency situations. Availability on evenings and weekends may be necessary on some occasions.
- Executive support - Support BU leadership with communications counsel; identify strategic external opportunities for leaders including speeches, community meetings, etc.; help prepare leaders for external events.
- Anticipate, develop, and coordinate stakeholder needs and communications.
- Write, edit, and produce, disseminate, and maintain various written and electronic external communications, including social media, press releases, key messages, speeches, blogs, video scripts, executive talking points, byline articles, presentations, website content and related materials.
- Draft talking points as needed for local operations and customer service teams to ensure a consistent, cohesive external message is delivered across all customer contact points. •
- Coordinate strategic content management on BU Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and other social media accounts; manages responses/postings.
- Improve brand perception locally through the planning and execution of regular town hall meetings, including managing agendas, event flow, content development and in person logistics.
- Coordinate all postings to the BUs's local internet and social media sites.
- Manages 'difficult' requests from customers, media and other stakeholders.
- Respond to and resolve escalated complaints/concerns from the customer or the state's regulatory commission.
- Coordinate with corporate and other BU communications teams on communication-related issues, aligning local communication strategies with company-wide messaging.
- Responsible for the overall branding efforts of the BU.
- Ensure best practices from organization and industry are implemented.
What you bring
Experience
- Minimum of 5-7 years' experience in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism and/or related fields coupled with evidence of strong relationship building, team building and strategic leadership. Proven track record as an effective communicator at a small or medium-size organization. Proficient with Microsoft software.
Education
- Bachelor's degree in a Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Business, English or related discipline required
Nice to Have
- MBA preferred
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to work independently without close oversight, while being a strong team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels of seniority.
- Proven success in developing mutually beneficial relationships with internal and external partners.
- Impeccable integrity, judgment, and discretion along with a professional demeanor and interpersonal style that elicits trust from leadership, government officials, and partners. Must be a proficient and diplomatic communicator.
- A professional and resourceful style; the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects at the same time, managing a heavy workload.
- Strategic thinker and planner; strong project management skills; highly organized and detail oriented.
- Exceptional writing, verbal communication and presentation skill sets.
- Demonstrated ability to work with customer/client groups and/or experience in non-profit community-based organizations.
- Ability to quickly assess significance of media or customer inquiries and take appropriate action.
- Exceptional, articulate communicator with superior journalistic and business writing skills, as well as strong verbal and presentation skills.
- Creative acumen and understanding of how brands bring stories to life across all communication platforms.
- Adept at communicating in innovative ways and across a wide range of channels and mediums, including print, video, web, and social media.
- Passion to learn and adopt the latest communications trends, strategies, platforms, technologies, tools, and techniques to improve communications effectiveness.
- Ability to develop successful relationships with a wide variety of individuals both inside and outside the organization.
- Strong ability to develop and communicate the Company's image, value and brand.
- Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills, including decision-making, research, analysis, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to define specific problems and offer variable solutions.
- Ability to implement recommendations to effectively resolve problems or issues by using judgment that is consistent with standards, practices, policies, procedures, regulation or government law.
- Ability to provide vision, leadership and motivate others in pursuit of Company goals.
- Superior planning, project management and analytical skills, with a strong bias toward results, measurement and reporting.
- Fosters effective and collaborative relationships across all levels of the organization.
- Self-starter who can manage multiple projects, prioritize effectively and consistently execute with excellence.
- Thrives in a fast-paced environment and operates with a sense of purpose and urgency to meet the demands of multiple customers.
Please note:
- Light to moderate physical activity; requires normal hearing and vision
- Evening and weekend work will be required at times for events and emerging issue management
- Occasional travel will be required
Management maintains the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time.
Corix Group of Companies is an E-Verify participating employer.
Life at Corix
- Paid Time Off and Holidays: We offer 18 days of PTO and 11 paid holidays,
- Health Benefits: The first day of the month after your start, you'll have access to your health, dental, prescription and vision benefits to help you stay well. And that's just the start, we also offer virtual doctor visits, health savings and flexible spending accounts and more.
- 401(k) Program: Employer contribution. Employer contribution made to the 401(k) plan are vested at 100% and start 30 days after your start.
- Additional Benefits: Other great benefits include company provided life insurance, parental leave, Employee Assistance Program, discounted pet insurance and discounts on hotels, cars, and more
- Grow at Corix: Certifications/ Licenses reimbursement and more.
- Employee Resource Groups (ERG): ERGs are voluntary employee groups that form based on shared characteristics or backgrounds and are sponsored by the organization.
People Focused and Inclusive Culture
We attract and develop connected, high performing people of diverse background, ethnicities and experiences, who achieve their goals in alignment with our purpose, vision, and values. Creating an inclusive and respectful work environment where everyone is included and able to do their best work and feel as though they belong.
Corix is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible candidate experience. Accommodations are available upon request. We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those shortlisted will be contacted.
EEOE Statement
We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth (or related medical condition), or any other characteristic protected by law.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.