Media And Communications Manager

High Country Search Group; Denver (CO); Presencial; USD 120.000 - 180.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

High Country Search Group in Denver seeks a senior communications professional to strengthen the organization's public profile through proactive media relations and strategic storytelling. You will craft messaging around operations, infrastructure projects, and industry impact, while serving as a primary advisor on executive communications.

The role emphasizes issues management, government affairs support, and community engagement, translating complex energy topics into clear, credible content

Formación

• Bachelor's degree in Communications or related field.
• 5–8+ years in media relations or corporate communications with external audiences.
• Proven ability to develop proactive media strategies and secure coverage.
• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to translate technical energy/regulatory topics for diverse audiences.
• Strong interpersonal and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced organization.

Responsabilidades

• Develop and execute proactive media relations strategies to boost reputation and visibility.
• Build relationships with journalists and media outlets across levels.
• Identify and pitch stories around operations, investments, and industry contributions.
• Coordinate media inquiries and interviews with internal stakeholders.
• Elevate the organization's visibility through earned media and executive engagement.
• Monitor media coverage and industry developments to spot risks and opportunities.
• Plan media events, facility visits, and external engagement opportunities.
• Translate complex energy topics into clear, credible messaging.
• Ensure consistency of messaging across internal and external audiences.
• Collaborate with marketing to align storytelling across channels.
• Support government affairs and regulatory engagement as needed.

Conocimientos

Media relations

Strategic storytelling

Executive communications

Crisis communications

Stakeholder relations

Educación

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Public Affairs, Political Science, Public Policy, Business, or related field

Descripción del empleo

This individual will play a central role in strengthening the organization's public profile, developing compelling narratives around its operations and business initiatives, and building trusted relationships with journalists, policymakers, community stakeholders, and industry partners.

The position places significant emphasis on proactive media relations, strategic storytelling, executive communications, and issues management, while also supporting government affairs, regulatory engagement, and community relations. The ideal candidate is an exceptional communicator and relationship builder who can translate complex energy and operational topics into clear, credible messaging.

Key Responsibilities

Media Relations & Reputation Management

• Develop and execute proactive media relations strategies that strengthen the organization's reputation, increase visibility, and establish its credibility within the energy industry.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local, regional, national, and industry-specific journalists, editors, and media outlets.
• Identify, develop, and pitch compelling stories highlighting company operations, employees, business initiatives, infrastructure investments, and industry contributions.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for media inquiries, coordinating responses, interviews, and information requests with appropriate internal stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to elevate the organization's visibility through earned media, thought leadership, industry commentary, and executive engagement.
• Monitor media coverage, industry developments, and emerging issues to identify reputational opportunities and potential risks.
• Coordinate media interviews, facility visits, press events, and other external engagement opportunities.

Strategic Communications & Content Development

• Develop and execute external communications initiatives that support business objectives and reinforce the organization's reputation across its operating regions.
• Serve as a primary writer and content developer for press releases, media statements, executive talking points, briefing materials, presentations, articles, and other corporate communications.
• Translate complex energy, regulatory, operational, and technical information into clear, accessible, and compelling content for diverse audiences.
• Partner with internal teams to identify newsworthy developments and proactively develop communications opportunities around company milestones, infrastructure projects, operational achievements, and community initiatives.
• Support executive communications through speeches, presentations, media briefing documents, talking points, and other leadership messaging.
• Ensure consistent messaging across internal and external audiences, aligning communications with broader brand, reputation, and business priorities.
• Collaborate with marketing and communications colleagues to support integrated storytelling across traditional media, digital platforms, and other external channels.

Issues Management & Crisis Communications

• Support the development and execution of communications strategies for sensitive operational, regulatory, environmental, and reputational matters.
• Develop holding statements, media responses, FAQs, talking points, and other materials to support timely and effective issues management.
• Work closely with operations, legal, regulatory, and executive leadership to coordinate communications during operational incidents or emerging issues.
• Anticipate potential reputational risks and recommend proactive communications strategies to address stakeholder concerns.
• Support crisis communications planning, preparedness, and response protocols to ensure consistent and credible messaging.
• Prepare executives and company spokespersons for media interviews, public statements, and sensitive external engagements.

Government & Industry Relations

• Monitor and analyze legislative, regulatory, and political developments affecting company operations, power generation, infrastructure development, and energy markets.
• Support advocacy strategies aligned with business priorities and long‑term growth objectives.
• Build and maintain relationships with local elected officials, regulators, industry associations, and policy influencers.
• Support advocacy efforts related to generation assets, transmission projects, environmental compliance, and energy policy initiatives.
• Develop briefing materials, position statements, presentations, and other communications supporting legislative and regulatory engagement.
• Represent the organization, as appropriate, at public meetings, hearings, and industry forums.
• Monitor emerging industry trends and identify opportunities to position the organization as an informed and engaged industry leader.

Stakeholder & Community Engagement

• Develop and maintain relationships with community leaders, business organizations, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, nonprofits, landowners, and other regional stakeholders.
• Support public engagement and communications surrounding generation projects, plant operations, siting, permitting, infrastructure development, and operational changes.
• Partner with community relations and operations teams to strengthen the organization's presence and credibility in the communities where it operates.
• Develop messaging and engagement materials to address stakeholder questions, community concerns, and project‑related developments.
• Coordinate with community relations on strategic community investments, sponsorships, and partnerships that reinforce the organization's reputation as a responsible community partner.
• Identify emerging stakeholder concerns and support proactive engagement and issue resolution strategies.
• Represent the organization at community meetings, public forums, chamber events, industry associations, and stakeholder gatherings as needed.

Internal Collaboration & Strategic Counsel

• Partner closely with communications leadership to establish priorities, identify opportunities, and execute integrated communications and public affairs strategies.
• Collaborate with regulatory, energy markets, asset management, legal, operations, environmental, and executive teams to align communications and public affairs initiatives with corporate priorities.
• Provide strategic counsel to internal stakeholders regarding media engagement, public messaging, reputational considerations, and political or stakeholder sensitivities.
• Support project development teams during permitting, public consultation, and stakeholder engagement phases.
• Prepare executives for media interviews, public meetings, community events, legislative meetings, and stakeholder engagements.
• Manage multiple communications and public affairs initiatives simultaneously, balancing proactive storytelling with timely responses to emerging business needs.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Public Affairs, Political Science, Public Policy, Business, or a related field.
• 5–8+ years of experience in media relations, corporate communications, public relations, public affairs, government relations, or a related discipline, with demonstrated strength in external communications.
• Proven ability to develop and execute proactive media relations strategies, secure media coverage, and build trusted relationships with journalists.
• Exceptional writing, editing, storytelling, and verbal communication skills, with experience developing press releases, media statements, executive communications, presentations, and other external‑facing materials.
• Experience managing media inquiries, preparing spokespersons, and supporting communications around sensitive or complex business issues.
• Strong understanding of media dynamics, news cycles, and effective communications strategies for external audiences.
• Ability to translate complex technical, operational, or regulatory topics into clear and accessible communications.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to build relationships with executives, journalists, community stakeholders, and cross‑functional teams.
• Sound judgment, political and business acumen, and the ability to navigate complex or sensitive issues.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the energy, utility, power generation, infrastructure, industrial, or other highly regulated sectors.
• Established relationships with local, regional, or national media.
• Experience supporting communications for infrastructure projects, operational facilities, or other complex business initiatives.
• Familiarity with energy policy, legislative processes, permitting, environmental review, and regulatory proceedings.
• Experience supporting government relations, public policy, regulatory affairs, or industry advocacy initiatives.
• Experience managing crisis communications, community opposition, or reputational issues.
• Experience supporting senior executives with media preparation, public appearances, and strategic messaging.
• Familiarity with infrastructure development, including conventional and renewable power generation, energy storage, pipelines, or electric transmission.