Media Relations Strategist

Arizona Public Service - APS; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Arizona Public Service (APS) is seeking a Media Relations Strategist to drive earned media strategies and counsel senior leaders. This in-house role emphasizes translating complex technical information into clear messages and coordinating media opportunities across local, national, trade, and Spanish-language outlets.

The position is full-time in External Communications, requiring strong writing, editing, and public relations expertise, with a focus on strategic planning and crisis

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Advertising, Marketing, Public Relations, English or related field.
• 5 years writing/editing experience or equivalent.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; software applications incl. word processing and desktop publishing; solid project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a company spokesperson and trusted advisor to senior leaders and internal partners.
• Assess risks and provide solutions.
• Develop and execute strategic plans.
• Write news releases, statements, and key messages.
• Pitch stories; coach SMEs for media engagement; respond to media inquiries.
• Provide interviews, including on-camera appearances.
• Participate in crisis response efforts and exercises.
• Liaise with community partners and PIOs.
• Participate in a 24/7 on-call media duty rotation.

Skills

Writing and editing

Verbal communication

Media relations

Crisis communications

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Advertising, Marketing, Public Relations, English, Communications or related field

Tools

Word processing

Desktop publishing

Job description

Arizona Public Service generates reliable, affordable and clean energy for 2.7 million Arizonans. As the state’s largest and longest-serving energy provider, our more than 6,000 dedicated employees power our vision of creating a sustainable energy future for Arizona.

Summary

The Media Relations Strategist is a key member of the APS Media Relations Team, driving the organization’s communications objectives through effective earned media strategies and fostering relationships with local, national, trade, and Spanish-language journalists. The consultant is a persuasive communicator adept at translating complex technical information into clear messages, providing strategic counsel, contributing to discussions and decision-making, coordinating media opportunities and supporting crisis communications. The consultant thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced and cross-functional environment, takes initiative, and demonstrates strong teamwork and a proactive approach. This is an in-house, full-time opportunity in External Communications.

Minimum Requirements

Communications Consultant

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Advertising, Marketing, Public Relations, English, Communications or related field
• And five (5) years related writing/editing experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills, software application skills including word processing and desktop publishing, and solid project management skills.

Communications Consultant Senior

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Advertising, Marketing, Public Relations, English or related field and (8) eight years related communications experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities Include

• Serving as a company spokesperson and trusted advisor to senior leaders and internal partners
• Assessing risks and providing solutions
• Developing and executing strategic plans
• Writing news releases, statements, and key messages
• Pitching stories, coaching subject matter experts for media engagement, responding to media inquiries
• Providing interviews, including on-camera appearances
• Participating in crisis response efforts and exercises
• Liaising with community partners and PIOs
• Participating in a 24/7 on-call media duty rotation

Major Accountabilities

• Advise senior leaders and internal teams on earned media strategies. Utilize critical thinking to craft messaging and make sound recommendations about company positioning to advance business objectives.
• Develop and implement media relations plans, including proactive story pitching, media outreach, and response strategies for local, national, trade, and Spanish-language outlets.
• Serve as an official company spokesperson, delivering clear, accurate and impactful messages for media engagements. Prepare company leaders and subject matter experts for media interviews.
• Participate in crisis communications, drafting statements, managing media inquiries during incidents and supporting after-action reviews. Participate in a 24/7 on-call media duty rotation, demonstrating responsiveness and reliability.
• Write, edit, and distribute media materials such as news releases, key messages and talking points, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Build and maintain relationships with journalists, community partners and public information officers (PIOs).
• Ensure all media relations activities meet quality standards, communication plans and confidentiality requirements.
• Efficiently manage resources, collaborating with internal teams, vendors and external agencies to deliver timely, effective support within budget.
• Stay current on industry trends, media landscapes, and issues affecting the energy sector to inform strategic recommendations and outreach.

Export Compliance / EEO Statement

This position may require access to and/or use of information subject to control under the Department of Energy's Part 810 Regulations (10 CFR Part 810), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730 through 774), or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter M Part 120) (collectively, 'U.S. Export Control Laws'). Therefore, some positions may require applicants to be a U.S. person, which is defined as a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), a Political Asylee, or a Refugee under the U.S. Export Control Laws. All applicants will be required to confirm their U.S. person or non-US person status. All information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws, and will be used in full compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors. For positions at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Stations (PVNGS) all openings will require applicants to be a U.S. person.

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates ('Pinnacle West') maintain a continuing policy of nondiscrimination in employment. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This policy of nondiscrimination shall include, but not be limited to, recruiting, hiring, promoting, compensating, reassigning, demoting, transferring, laying off, recalling, terminating employment, and training for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, disability, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other classification or characteristic protected by law.

For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to EEO is the Law poster. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of every person hired to work in the United States, refer to E-Verify poster. View the employee rights and responsibilities under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Arizona Public Service is a smoke free workplace.

Hybrid

Employees in hybrid roles work both in their home offices (virtually) and alongside their colleagues (in person). In order for employees to build strong relationships and to promote meaningful in-person interactions, hybrid employees are expected to work about 40% of their time in-person at an APS or other (non-home office) location.

• Employees are expected to reside in Arizona (or New Mexico for Four Corners-based employees).
• Working from a home office requires adequate technology and an appropriate ergonomic set up.
• Role types are subject to change based on business need.