Principal Communications Manager - North Carolina Nuclear

Duke Energy; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke Energy in Charlotte, NC is seeking a Principal Communications Manager to provide strategic internal and external communications counsel for regional nuclear leadership. You will guide stakeholder engagement, craft messaging for leaders, and oversee integrated project communications across sites.

Responsibilities include coordinating communications for speaking engagements, supporting regulatory and crisis communications, and aligning site communications with corporate priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in communications or a related field is required.
• Minimum of 10 years of related work experience.
• In lieu of degree, 14 years of related work experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic communications counsel to regional nuclear leaders, including the state senior vice president and site vice presidents at each nuclear plant in the assigned region, building and sustaining positive relationships through regular interactions.
• Work with leaders to develop internal site and regional communications opportunities to implement nuclear fleet strategy and annual priorities, prioritizing face-to-face communications.
• Position senior leaders to represent the company and engage effectively with employees and external stakeholders. Manage logistics, messaging and collateral for speaking engagements.
• Proactively consult with leaders on emergent internal and external issues, providing counsel and feedback.
• Provide communications support to all nuclear sites in the assigned region to maintain industry and regulatory requirements.
• Serve as the single point of contact for significant operational issues affecting assigned nuclear sites and coordinate alignment with internal teams.

Skills

Strategic communications

Executive counsel

Stakeholder engagement

Crisis communications

Speechwriting

Relationship management

Public relations leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or related

High School Diploma/GED with 14+ years related experience

Tools

Microsoft Office & SharePoint

Job description

Important Application Submission Information

Build an exciting, rewarding career with us - help us make a difference for millions of people every day. Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you'll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits.

Job Summary

The Principal Communications Manager provides strategic internal and external communications counsel, stakeholder engagement leadership and integrated project management expertise.

Responsibilites

Leadership and Strategic Support

Provide effective communications counsel to regional nuclear leaders, including the state senior vice president and site vice presidents at each nuclear plant in the assigned region, building and sustaining positive relationships through regular interactions.

• Work with leaders to develop internal site and regional communications opportunities to implement nuclear fleet strategy and annual priorities, prioritizing face-to face communications. Craft and send internal leader communications to reinforce strategic messaging.

• Position senior leaders to represent the company and engage effectively with employees and external stakeholders. Manage logistics, messaging and collateral for speaking engagements.

• Proactively consult with leaders on emergent internal and external issues, providing counsel and feedback. Participate in site and regional nuclear leadership meetings as appropriate.

Operational Support

Provide communications support to all nuclear sites in the assigned region to maintain industry and regulatory requirements. Seek broad perspectives to solving complex issues and operational challenges/problems.

• Serve as the single point of contact for significant operational issues affecting assigned nuclear sites. Work across Nuclear Communications and with site leaders to delegate an/or collaborate on a communications response.

• Coordinate with the corporate and internal nuclear communications managers to ensure alignment on internal communications strategies for operational and regulatory initiatives that support business outcomes.

Community and Reputation Support

Oversee implementation of nuclear strategic priorities related to advocacy and reputation management in the state. Provide direction and counsel to ensure the effectiveness of external communications to support the nuclear fleet's social privilege to operate.

• Serve as the primary point of contact in the assigned region for nuclear plant issues management.

• Coordinate with regional teammates to develop and execute communications strategies for major and strategic operational initiatives in alignment with state president priorities.

• Collaborate across Nuclear Communications and the broader Corporate Communications team to leverage earned, owned and shared media opportunities to enhance the reputation of assigned sites and the fleet.

• Develop and maintain relationships with state and county PIOs and other strategic community communications contacts to support nuclear issues management

Crisis Communications/Emergency Response

Support crisis communications and emergency response organization by responding to regional and Joint Information Center-activated events and drills as required.

• Participate in nuclear drills and emergency exercises in multiple roles, including a leadership role (e.g. PIO). Serve on nuclear duty rotation.

• Collaborate with the emergency planning communicator on crisis response planning.

Basic/Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or other related degree

• Minimum of 10 years of related work experience

• In Lieu of Degree, a High School Diploma/GED and a minumim of 14 years of related work experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in creating complex strategic communications plans designed to help leaders and clients achieve their business objectives.

• Executive communications support within a matrix organization.

• Experience in providing strategic counsel to executives and business unit leaders.

• Excellent relationship management skills and ability to manage/integrate with multiple stakeholders inside and outside of the company.

• Highly flexible, adaptable and detail oriented.

• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and prioritize tasks.

• Excellent collaboration skills.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills.

• Experience in electric utility industry or other highly regulated, high-profile industry.

• Experience in leading complex, high-profile communications projects.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and accurately using written and verbal communications.

• Expertise in developing and implementing high-risk communications plans.

• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills to work efficiently and effectively with clients, teammates, and management.

• Expertise in media relations, serving as a spokesperson on high-risk issues. This work includes strategy and message development and maintaining reporter relationships.

• Experience working with senior levels of management and providing executive counsel and coaching for media interviews, presentations/speeches.

• Experience representing the company externally with challenging audiences in challenging situations.

• Speechwriting experience.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office products, such as Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel, as well as SharePoint.

• Ability to participate in/lead crisis management response.

• Previous energy industry experience.

• Experience in providing communications counsel and advice to executives.

• Accredited in public relations (APR).

• Experience mentoring teammates and peers.

• Extensive crisis communications experience.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid Mobility Classification - Work will be performed from both remote and onsite locations after the onboarding period. However, hybrid employees must live within a reasonable commute to their designated Duke Energy facility, not greater than 50 miles one way. Employees are expected to report to their assigned Duke Energy facility as required and directed by their manager, on average 3 full workdays per regular workweek.

• Travel: 25% - some site visits may be required

Travel Requirements

15-25% Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable) Yes Represented/Union Position No Visa Sponsored Position No. This is not a Visa Sponsored Position. This role requires the ability to work lawfully in the U.S. without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future.

Please note that in order to be considered for this position, you must possess all of the basic/required qualifications.