Communications Program Manager (Utilities)

Motus Recruiting and Staffing, Inc.; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Motus Recruiting and Staffing, Inc. in Portland, OR is seeking an experienced Communications Program Manager to lead communication strategies for major projects.

You will collaborate with Regulatory Affairs, Legal, Engineering, and Community Relations to shape messaging and engagement with customers and communities. The ideal candidate has 8+ years in corporate communications, a Bachelor’s in journalism or related field, and proven skills in issues management, media relations, and crisis

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in corporate communications or a related field.
• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, English, Public Relations, Communications or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in corporate reputation management and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong background in issues management, media relations, and crisis communications.
• Experience developing and implementing strategic communications plans for complex projects or initiatives.
• Exceptional writing, presentation, and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex information for different audiences.
• Proven ability to build trust and credibility with senior leaders, internal partners, external stakeholders, communities, and media.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, topics, and deadlines simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Lead communication strategies for major projects from planning through execution.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to align communication and stakeholder engagement strategies with project and organizational goals.
• Conduct situational analyses to identify communication risks, stakeholder concerns, community impacts, and engagement needs.
• Develop and execute messaging, outreach, and participation plans for customers, communities, media, and other stakeholders.
• Create clear communications materials including fact sheets, presentations, talking points, FAQs, and project updates.
• Manage media relations, including responding to inquiries and supporting proactive media outreach.
• Support issues management and crisis communications efforts involving complex or highly visible topics.
• Monitor stakeholder feedback and emerging issues, adjusting communication strategies as project or regulatory needs evolve.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Crisis communications

Media relations

Strategic communications

Verbal and written communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, English, Public Relations, Communications or related field

Tools

PowerPoint

MS Office

Project management tools

Job description

Our local client, a well-established Pacific Northwest energy and utility organization, is seeking an experienced Communications Program Manager to lead communication strategies for major projects and initiatives. This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned communications professional who excels at stakeholder engagement, community outreach, issues management, and developing thoughtful communication strategies around complex or highly visible work.

In this role, you will partner closely with project teams and leaders across Regulatory Affairs, Legal, Engineering, Community Relations, and other areas of the organization. You will help assess communication risks early, develop messaging and engagement strategies, manage issues as they arise, and build trust with customers, communities, media, and other key stakeholders.

Type: Direct Hire

Location: Portland, Oregon – Hybrid, onsite Tuesday through Thursday

Annual Incentive: 9.5% target

Key Responsibilities of the Communications Program Manager:

• Lead communication strategies for major projects and initiatives from early planning through execution
• Partner with cross-functional teams to align communication and stakeholder engagement strategies with project and organizational goals
• Conduct situational analyses to identify potential communication risks, stakeholder concerns, community impacts, and engagement needs
• Develop and execute messaging, outreach, and participation plans for customers, communities, media, and other stakeholders
• Create clear and compelling communications materials including fact sheets, presentations, talking points, FAQs, and project updates
• Manage media relations, including responding to inquiries and supporting proactive media outreach related to projects and initiatives
• Support issues management and crisis communications efforts involving complex or highly visible topics
• Monitor stakeholder feedback and emerging issues, adjusting communication strategies as project or regulatory needs evolve
• Manage external contractors, budgets, and community investment activities supporting communication and engagement efforts
• Build trusted relationships across internal teams and with external stakeholders while handling sensitive and confidential information appropriately

Ideal Candidate Profile of the Communications Program Manager:

• 8+ years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, or a related communications environment
• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, English, Public Relations, Communications, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Demonstrated experience in corporate reputation management and stakeholder engagement
• Strong background in issues management, media relations, and crisis communications
• Experience developing and implementing strategic communications plans for complex projects or initiatives
• Exceptional writing, presentation, and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex information for different audiences
• Proven ability to build trust and credibility with senior leaders, internal partners, external stakeholders, communities, and media
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, topics, and deadlines simultaneously
• Collaborative, self-directed, and comfortable working within a highly cross-functional environment

Preferred Experience of the Communications Program Manager:

• Experience within the energy, utilities, infrastructure, or another highly regulated industry
• Knowledge of or experience working with public policy, government affairs, or regulatory environments
• Experience with digital communications and online community engagement
• Experience supporting communications for major infrastructure, community-facing, or highly visible projects
• Experience with the Incident Command System, or willingness to become trained and certified
• Strong PowerPoint skills and experience with digital platforms and project management tools

About Motus Recruiting and Staffing, Inc:

Founded in 2006, Motus is an award-winning recruiting and staffing firm in the Pacific Northwest, specializing in professional services and technology solutions. We are a group of people who not only recognize the importance of representation, but actively fight for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the recruitment process. Our goal is to educate organizations on the importance of DEI when hiring, promoting, and supporting diverse employees. We are calling organizations to demonstrate their commitment to DEI by being intentional about who they hire.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability or protected veteran status.