Director - Corporate Communications

Company: AVANGRID, Inc.
Location: Orange
Posted on: February 22, 2021

Job Description:

Iberdrola is a global energy leader, the number one producer of wind power, and one of the world's biggest electricity utilities in terms of market capitalisation. The group supplies energy to almost 100 million people in dozens of countries including Spain, the United Kingdom (ScottishPower), the United States (AVANGRID), Brazil (Neoenergia), Mexico, Germany, Portugal, Italy and France, with a workforce of more than 35,000 people. Iberdrola is leading the transition towards a sustainable energy model through its investments in renewable energy, smart grids, large-scale energy storage and digital transformation, to offer its customers the most advanced products and services. Thanks to its commitment to clean energy, Iberdrola is one of the companies with the lowest emissions and an international benchmark for its contribution to sustainability and the fight against climate change. Header Job Title: Director, Corporate Communications (internal and external communications) Reports to: Vice President, Corporate Communications Location: Orange, CT OVERVIEW: As one of the cleanest U.S. utilities and a leader in renewable energy, AVANGRID is at the forefront of the nation's transformational change in how we generate and use energy. We embrace and develop clean and innovative energy solutions that will transform and enhance the economic, social and environmental value we deliver to our customers, employees, partners and shareholders, while building on our legacy of safely and reliably serving our communities for more than a century. Our businesses - along with pursuing the nation's first commercial-scale offshore wind project through joint venture Vineyard Wind - are investing $20 billion over the next five years in new, cleaner energy technologies in the U.S. and upgrading our systems to provide safe and reliable energy to the customers who have depended on our network of companies for more than a century. We have been consistently recognized externally by Ethisphere, Forbes, and others for our leadership in ethics, the environment, the communities it serves and for being an employer of choice. We were the first U.S. utility to set a goal for carbon-neutrality, which we are on track to achieve by 2035. We also plan to increase renewable installed capacity by more than 110 percent over 2015 levels by 2025, building upon a sustainable business model and strategy that is centered on stewardship around ESG+F - the environment, society, governance and financial strength. Purpose Reporting to the Vice President, Corporate Communications, the Director, Corporate Communications is a demanding and high-profile position responsible for driving strategic communications that support business objectives, focused on promoting, protecting and enhancing the reputation of Avangrid. Specifically, this role is responsible for overseeing employee communications, media relations and sustainability communications at the corporate level as well as communications for the AVANGRID Foundation. The Director will also work closely with the corporate executive team as well as global colleagues at Iberdrola S.A. in Madrid, Spain. Oversees team of four direct reports, external resources, and partners with key stakeholders to achieve timely execution of all programs/efforts. Develops measurement protocols to determine effectiveness of communications activities and ensure optimal use of resources to achieve goals. Monitors industry and discipline trends, tools, and technologies and implements innovative traditional, event and social/on-line marketing initiatives. Responsibilities Responsible for developing and executing internal and external communications strategies that further and enable AVANGRID's business strategy and help position the company as a top tier clean energy leader with key stakeholders.
Develops and implements an integrated communications plan to advance AVANGRID's reputation and broaden awareness of the contributions and impact of the AVANGRID and its operating companies in society.
Oversees external communications for AVANGRID building a strong media relations program and executing strategies that position the company and its executives as thought leaders on the important issues of the day - from climate change to racial justice - facing our industry and companies today.
Works closely with Chief Human Resources Officer and the HR leadership team to develop and implement internal communications strategies that support employee engagement and manage change.
Works closely with Investor Relations to coordinate communications and position messaging with investors and the media. Supports communications around earnings.
Works closely with Government Affairs colleagues to convey company positions on key issues and public policy matters.
Oversees all communications around sustainability and corporate giving, including the work of the AVANGRID Foundation.
Develops and maintains relationships with key media, both traditional and digital, business and trade. Acts as company spokesperson as needed.
Develops strategies for and manages crisis and issues communications.
Anticipates, identifies and mitigates communications and reputation risk. Monitors the development of issues that affect company reputation, develops strategies for addressing each issue and builds processes to ensure consistent response to events.
Coordinates communications initiatives with Iberdrola S.A as well as Avangrid Corporate--in the U.S. to ensure consistency in messaging and image.
Designs and develops processes and standards to effectively monitor and analyze communications campaigns and efforts.
Manages, coaches and leads high performing team of communications professionals.--
Manages US public relations agency.
Serves as member of Communications Leadership Team, working with the VP of Corporate Communications and other CLT members to lead the Communications function. Skills and Requirements Education & Experience Required: Bachelors' Degree required with Master's Degree preferred with a minimum of 10 years relevant experience.
Demonstrated track record of developing and executing communications strategy for a publicly-traded company, global company.--
Employee communications experience and strong understanding of the levers to drive employee engagement in an organization.
Change management communications experience.Crisis and issues management experience.
Experience counseling c-suite executives on communications issues.
Extensive media relations experience and track record of strong media relationships.
Experience managing high performing teams; particularly managing teams in various locations.
Experience working in a highly matrixed organization managing multiple stakeholders.
Experience as a spokesperson in positive and negative situations, both for print and in taped and live broadcast interviews.
Understanding and interest in public policy, sustainability and energy issues.
Knowledge of the electric/natural gas industry or regulated industry is considered a plus. Skills/Abilities: Superior verbal and written communication skills.
Understands how to translate complex ideas into simple messages.
Able to work in high pressure and crisis situations with grace and composure.
Strong ability to work effectively with and influence senior leaders and other key stakeholders.
Ability to multi-task and quickly prioritize projects and work well under pressure and tight deadlines.
Comfortable working in rapidly changing, ambiguous environment.
Collaborative and flexible style, with an approach to work that motivates and energizes others.
Strategic thinker who isn't afraid to get into the trenches and do the hard work.--
Strong team leader and cross-functional collaborator.
Attention to detail and an ability to plan and execute events and meetings on strict timelines and budgets.
Ability to make reasonably quick, well-informed strategic decisions.Must have the flexibility to travel.
--

• Develop Self & Others
• Empower to grow
• Collaborate and Share
• Be a role model
• Focus to achieve results
• Be agile
• Technical Skills Our Selection Process Avangrid employees may be assigned a system emergency role and in the event of a system emergency, may be required to work outside of their regular schedule/job duties. This is applicable to employees that will work in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and New York within AVANGRD Network and Corporate functions. This does not include those that will work for Avangrid Renewables AVANGRID's--employment practices and policies are geared to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. At--AVANGRID--we provide fair and equal employment and advancement opportunities for all employees and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. Learn more about equal employment by following this--link If you are an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who is unable to use our online tool to search for or to apply for jobs, you may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting our Human Resources department at 203-499-2777 or--careers@avangrid.com
  Nearest Major Market: New Haven
  Nearest Secondary Market: Hartford

Keywords: AVANGRID, Inc., Orange , Director - Corporate Communications, Executive , Orange, California