External Communications Manager

Southern Company; Atlanta, Northern (GA, KY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual incentive awards

Comprehensive benefits

Total rewards strategy

Job summary

Southern Company is seeking an External Communications Manager to develop and execute strategic external communications that strengthen stakeholder trust and support key business priorities. This role leads media relations and elevates storytelling around strategic initiatives, with responsibility for guiding two direct reports to ensure alignment with communications priorities.

The position requires extensive experience in corporate communications, crisis messaging, and executive-level

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or related field.
• 7–10+ years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, or media relations.
• Ideal candidate will have 2 years of management experience.
• Experience working with Cision, PR Newswire, Meltwater or related platforms.
• Ideal candidate will have supervisory experience and experience managing high-profile issues, crisis communications, and executive-level messaging.
• Experience in regulated industries (e.g., energy, utilities, infrastructure) preferred.
• Social media experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary point of contact for media inquiries; manage relationships with local, regional, and national outlets.
• Develop and execute media strategies to proactively position the company and its leadership.
• Prepare executives and subject matter experts for media engagement, including briefings and key messages.
• Monitor media coverage and sentiment; provide insights and recommendations to leadership.
• Manage media distribution platforms and tools, including press release dissemination, media list management, performance reporting, and journalist engagement tracking.

Skills

Writing and storytelling

Strategic thinking

Executive presence

Stakeholder management

Attention to detail

Agility

Influence without authority

Cision/PR tools experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications/public relations/journalism

Tools

Cision

PR Newswire

Meltwater

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

The External Communications Manager is responsible for developing and executing strategic external communications that enhance the company’s reputation, strengthen stakeholder trust, and support key business priorities. This role leads media relations, manages proactive and reactive messaging, drives issue-based communications planning, and elevates storytelling around strategic initiatives. The position also provides leadership and guidance to two direct reports, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and communications priorities.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Media Relations

• Serve as a primary point of contact for media inquiries; manage relationships with local, regional, and national outlets
• Develop and execute media strategies to proactively position the company and its leadership
• Prepare executives and subject matter experts for media engagement, including briefings and key messages
• Monitor media coverage and sentiment; provide insights and recommendations to leadership
• Manage media distribution platforms and tools, including press release dissemination, media list management, performance reporting, and journalist engagement tracking

External Messaging & Statements

• Draft, review, and approve external statements in response to emerging issues and stakeholder inquiries
• Develop proactive messaging to support strategic announcements and reputation-building initiatives
• Ensure message consistency across channels and alignment with corporate positioning and regulatory expectations
• Partner with Legal, Regulatory, and Operational teams on sensitive or high-risk communications

Issues Management & Communications Planning

• Lead development and execution of communications plans for issues, crises, and high-profile business developments
• Anticipate reputational risks and develop scenario-based messaging and response strategies
• Coordinate cross-functional communications to ensure timely and accurate responses
• Provide counsel to leadership on communications risks, stakeholder impact, and mitigation strategies
• Measure and report on communications effectiveness using media analytics, sentiment analysis, share of voice, and stakeholder engagement metrics
• Use AI responsibly as a tool to enhance research, monitoring, drafting and workflow efficiency (and not as a substitute for sound communications judgment, fact-checking, creativity or brand stewardship).

Strategic Storytelling

• Develop compelling narratives that highlight company impact and value across key initiatives
• Identify opportunities to elevate stories through earned media, digital channels, and executive visibility
• Translate complex technical and regulatory topics into clear, engaging messaging

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Internal Communications, Government Affairs, Regulatory, Operations, and Brand teams to ensure alignment
• Support integrated communications campaigns and enterprise-wide initiatives
• Collaborate with digital and social teams to amplify messaging
• Work with Digital Advocacy team in monitoring traditional, digital, and social media conversations to identify emerging issues, assess reputational risk, and provide actionable insights to leadership
• Partner with Internal and Digital Advocacy teams to optimize content for web, social, intranet and multimedia channels to maximize reach and engagement

QUALIFICATIONS (Education & Experience)

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or related field required
• 7–10+ years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, or media relations required
• Ideal candidate will have 2 years of management experience.
• Experience working with Cision, PR Newswire, Meltwater or related platform required
• Ideal candidate will have supervisory experience and experience managing high-profile issues, crisis communications, and executive-level messaging
• Experience in regulated industries (e.g., energy, utilities, infrastructure) preferred
• Social media experience is a plus

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills with a focus on clarity and precision
• Ability to translate complex information into concise, audience-focused messaging
• Strategic thinking with strong executive presence
• Strong judgment and ability to operate effectively in high-pressure environments
• Effective stakeholder management and ability to influence without authority
• High attention to detail and message discipline
• Agility and responsiveness in rapidly evolving situations

About Southern Company

Southern Company (NYSE: SO ) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy solutions provider with national capabilities, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience and sustainability, we are taking action to meet customers' and communities' needs while advancing our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture has been recognized by a variety of organizations, earning the company awards and recognitions that reflect Our Values and dedication to service. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com .

Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s). A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here https://seo.nlx.org/southernco/pdf/SOCO-Benefits.pdf . Additional and specific details about total compensation and benefits will also be provided during the hiring process.

Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Job Identification: 21097

Job Category: Communications & External Affairs

Job Schedule: Full time

Company: Southern Company Services