Manager, Corporate Communications

NYSERDA; City of Albany (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

NYSERDA is seeking a Manager of Corporate Communications to lead a strategic, proactive program that raises public awareness of the Authority’s goals and accomplishments in New York’s energy transition.

The role requires directing executive remarks, media relations, internal communications, and cross‑department coordination. The manager will prioritize multiple projects, guide program teams, and partner with social media to deliver consistent NYSERDA messaging.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years’ related experience in corporate/government communications or public relations.
• Experience in clean energy, building decarbonization, environmental justice, or finance sectors encouraged.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills with the ability to communicate clearly to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead program communications and acts as a key contact for Authority programs.
• Draft press releases, talking points, briefings, and other public relations materials.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders and media outlets.
• Provide guidance to program teams on public relations efforts to support NYSERDA positions and initiatives.
• Collaborate with social media teams to execute NYSERDA messaging across platforms.
• Coordinate with senior leaders on sensitive issues and media responses.
• Collaborate across departments to ensure accurate, clear, and consistent messaging.
• Build networks within NYSERDA and other agencies.
• Perform other responsibilities with respect, fairness, consistency, and inclusion.

Skills

Public relations

Media relations

Executive remarks

Story telling / press releases

Social media

Stakeholder relations

Project management

News writing

Communication strategy

On-call availability

MS Office / SharePoint

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Tools

Microsoft O365 Suite

Job description

As a leader in advancing New York’s energy transition, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is a credible, objective and trusted partner in energy planning and in deploying new innovative technologies to build an affordable, abundant, reliable, and clean energy system. NYSERDA works with stakeholders statewide, including residents, business owners, developers, community leaders, local government officials, universities, utilities, investors, entrepreneurs, and more, to develop, invest, and foster conditions that:

• Attract the private sector capital investment needed to expand New York’s clean energy economy.
• Advance solutions for using clean energy at a large-scale in New York.
• Enable New York’s communities and residents to benefit equitably in the clean energy transition.

Job Overview

The Manager, Corporate Communications in the Corporate Communications, Marketing, Events Management and Social Media business unit participates in developing and implementing a comprehensive, strategic, and proactive corporate communications program that will build public awareness of NYSERDA’s objectives and accomplishments.

The Corporate Communications Manager serves to assist in integrating and coordinating program activities, events, and announcements for internal and external audiences. The Manager uses a broad range of skills, with experience in executive remarks, public and media relations, and internal communications, must be a motivated self-starter with strong project management skills, adaptable to working independently or as part of a team, and is able to prioritize multiple projects while working in a fast-paced environment. The Manager fosters strong collaborations and maintains an awareness and understanding of complex issues affecting NYSERDA, New York State, and the energy industry.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as a lead contact for specific Authority programs as assigned; work directly with program staff to ascertain newsworthy announcements and potential media events to build awareness of the Authority’s mission and New York State energy-related priorities.
• Develop an in-depth understanding of a variety of program areas and draft press releases, talking points, conference and event briefing materials, and other documents to support public and media relations efforts.
• Develop and maintain close working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, as well as media outlets, in development of newsworthy announcements.
• Work with management to provide recommendations and guidance to program teams on public relations efforts in support of NYSERDA positions and initiatives with the goal of achieving positive feedback among external and internal constituencies.
• Work closely with social media colleagues to develop and execute NYSERDA messaging across social media platforms.
• Work closely with Assistant Director of Communications in the development of news releases, responses to inquiries and other media-related communications; work with the Sr. Vice President of Corporate Communications, Marketing, Events and Social Media, the Sr. Director of Corporate Communications, the Assistant Director of Communications, and the Director of Government Affairs as needed for sensitive and significant issues.
• Work jointly with other departments ensuring that all items meet the highest professional standards of accuracy, clarity, and style. Liaise with internal departments including marketing, web, and social media to ensure consistency of message.
• Build networks within NYSERDA, and other energy and environment agencies.
• Perform other responsibilities as necessary.
• Perform all job responsibilities with respect, fairness, consistency, and inclusion.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years’ related experience directly working in a corporate or government communications or public relations department; communications experience in the clean energy and building decarbonization, environmental justice, or finance sectors.
• Excellent work ethic, resolute integrity, detail oriented with a commitment to delivering a high-quality and accurate work product, with a track record of putting the success of the team first.
• Ability to assess potential effects of NYSERDA decisions on public attitudes, effectively apprise Assistant Director of Communications, Sr. Director of Communications and Sr. Vice President of Corporate Communications, Marketing, Events Management and Social Media of such factors and help inform decision making for public response.
• Ability to work effectively with members of the news media, executives in NYSERDA, and colleagues in other state agencies and industry stakeholders and organizations.
• Excellent journalistic, presentation and interpersonal skills that resonate with a variety of audiences; ability to communicate persuasively, concisely, and unambiguously in speech and in writing.
• The ability to express complex technical and organizational concepts in terms understandable to the news media and public, track record of creative and proactive approaches for pitching news stories.
• Strong project management skills: ability to work well under pressure and a respect for internal and external deadlines; manage multiple diverse activities simultaneously, deliver on commitments and varying deadlines, and operate/make decisions with speed, accuracy, and strong judgment.
• Must be available to be on call during off-hours (nights and weekends)
• Proficient with Microsoft O365 Suite (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, MS Teams) and comfortable learning and leveraging software applications and databases.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree and 3 years' experience in the clean energy and building decarbonization, environmental justice, or finance sectors

Travel Requirements

10-15% in support of media events and executive speaking engagements.

employment opportunities for people with disabilities and EEO