Description
Job ID : 925196
Introduction
The Public Affairs Economic Development Mgr. is responsible for designing and executing public affairs and economic development strategies, plans and tactics that enhance the knowledge and understanding of the state operating company among the companys key stakeholders. Works collaboratively with State Operating Company leadership and NiSource corporate communications to develop and execute integrated public affairs engagement strategies. Oversees public affairs resources and territories. Through internal collaboration, lead the development and maintain a network of economic development relationships to ensure prompt understanding of activities throughout the service territory. Manager will respond to requests as the primary liaison between the economic development community and NIPSCO. Achieves external environment support of the state operating company so that business objectives may be achieved in a seamless manner across the organization, and across NiSource as appropriate. Serve as NiSources key government and community contact.
Principle Duties and Responsibilities
- External outreach and issues management
- Develops a network of key government and external stakeholders to support company goals
- Works with state leadership team to develop and implement a strategic, integrated public affairs and communications strategy
- Generates positive media coverage on issues and initiatives, and through involvement/support of community activities
- Provides communications counsel across all organizational levels.
- Represents NiSource, as appropriate, as a good corporate citizen through development of solid relationships with key stakeholders.
- Provide Economic Development support for specific counties under their jurisdiction
- Attends local and regional meetings while participating with organizations to ensure timely understanding of economic development and customer growth opportunity and activity within the company service territory.
Business Partner
- Develop and maintain positive collaborative relationships with key management to support operations, regulatory and other functions and to leverage their expertise and support in dealing with issues and incidents that may impact the company
- Provide strategic external and internal communications support and counsel: facilitate effective relationships with municipalities, government agencies and key media; identify opportunities to favorably position Company; strategic support to effectively engage local advertising, sponsorships; crisis communications planning and execution
- Bring best practice expertise regarding: meeting planning and management, public speaking, coaching
Issues Identification and Management/Operations Support
- Identify the need for develop and implement communication plans to address external and internal audiences, including strategies, timelines and vehicles.
- In concert with Operations management, develop and maintain positive relationships with key media and executive management to not only support operations, but to leverage their support in dealing with issues and incidents that may negatively impact the company.
- Coordinate and help to position the company as one that promotes safety, customer service and reliability. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: coordination of media campaigns on issues as required; coordination of notification of actions to public and elected officials.
Media Relations
- Be knowledgeable and aware of all media outlets and reporters within your service territory, as well as issues within the company that may attract media attention.
- Generates positive media coverage on company initiatives, industry news, and other company activities.
Community Relations
- Represents NiSource on community and economic development boards.
- Implements local charitable giving programs.
- Plans and executes special events in support of community and NiSource initiatives.
Financial Management
- Accountable for the productive use of financial budget
- Adheres to annual budget and adjusts accordingly
Talent Management
- Proactively develops direct reports to ensure strong succession and bench strength
- Develops a team that reflects our priorities for diversity and inclusion
- Takes employee engagement personally and ensures robust plans are in place to create positive employee experiences
Required Qualifications for Position
- Bachelors degree in Communications, External Affairs or other related concentration
- 5+ years of experience in communications, public/external affairs, and/or economic development
- Building partnerships-Identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships with government leaders and community stakeholders
- Building Trust-Interacting with others in a way that gives them confidence in ones intentions and those of the organization
- Building Strategic Internal Working Relationships-Developing and using collaborative relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of goals.
- Initiating Action-Taking prompt action to accomplish objectives; taking action to achieve goals beyond what is required; being proactive.
- Strategic Thinking-Obtaining information and identifying key issues and relationships relevant to long-range goal or vision after developing alternatives based on logical assumptions, facts, available resources, constraints and organizational values.
- Communication-Clearly conveying information and ideas in a manner that engages the individual or group audience and helps them understand the message.
- Adaptability-Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes, adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, process, requirements, or cultures.
- Decision making-Identifying and understanding issues, problems and opportunities, comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints and probably consequences
- Contributing to Team Success-Actively participating as a member of a team to move the team toward the completion of goals.
- Facilitating Change-Encouraging others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to addressing problems and opportunities; facilitating the implementation and acceptance of change within the workplace.
- Public relations, communications or economic development related experience
- Excellent relationship-building skills/savvy
- Strong written, verbal and social media communication skills
- Ability to deal with ambiguity and effectively manage multiple projects at one time
- Ability to analyze and solve problems
- Ability to establish credibility and support the organizations preferences and priorities
- Ability to manage during an emergency situation
Preferred Additional Qualifications for Position
- External communications experience
- Internal communications experience
- Utility or other regulated industry experience
- Media relations
- Event planning
Contact
Nisource, Inc.
801 E 86th Ave
Merrillville
Indiana United States
www.nisource.com
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