Senior Communications Strategist

Jobtailor; La Crosse (WI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Dairyland Power Cooperative in Wisconsin is seeking a seasoned communications professional to develop and lead strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, and community outreach across large transmission initiatives.

You will craft compelling content for diverse audiences, coordinate with leadership and partner teams, manage crises, and measure impact through analytics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in public relations, marketing, communications or related field.
• Minimum of five years of experience in communications, external affairs, community engagement and/or government relations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the utility industry.
• Utility major project communications management experience preferred.
• Ability to manage high-stakes discussions and difficult stakeholder interactions in a high-conflict environment.
• Strong strategic planning, organizational and execution skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, digital/social media and interpersonal communication skills.
• Highly proficient writing and editing using proper grammar, advanced composition techniques, journalistic standards and AP style.
• Ability to learn and follow Dairyland policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic communications and stakeholder engagement plans for large transmission projects.
• Create written, visual and digital content for internal and external channels.
• Support internal business partners on communications strategy and provide executive and communications support.
• Serve as communications liaison for assigned business units and initiatives.
• Manage campaigns, communication workstreams and cross-functional initiatives.
• Plan and support community outreach, public engagement, education, advocacy activities, project-related meetings, open houses and public events.
• Draft project messaging, media statements, press releases, presentations and other communication materials for leadership review and approval.
• Respond to media or public inquiries within approved messaging, leadership direction and escalation protocols.

Skills

Strategic communications planning

Stakeholder engagement

Community outreach management

Writing and editing proficiency

Utility industry knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in public relations, marketing, communications or related field

Tools

Social media platforms

Presentation software

Content management systems

Video production tools

Job description

• Develop and execute strategic communications and stakeholder engagement plans for assigned large transmission projects, business initiatives and external-facing priorities
• Create written, visual and digital content for internal and external channels, including presentations, talking points, fact sheets, newsletters, web and social media content, video and other communication materials
• Support internal business partners on communications strategy and provide executive and communications support
• Serve as communications liaison for assigned business units and initiatives
• Manage campaigns, communication workstreams and cross-functional initiatives
• Plan and support community outreach, public engagement, education, advocacy activities, project-related meetings, open houses and public events
• Facilitate stakeholder discussions, de-escalate difficult interactions and elevate significant reputational, political, regulatory or business risks
• Draft project messaging, media statements, press releases, presentations and other communication materials for leadership review and approval
• Respond to media or public inquiries within approved messaging, leadership direction and escalation protocols
• Communicate with leadership, the board of directors, managers, project teams, member cooperatives, regional stakeholders and other audiences
• Track communication metrics, analyze stakeholder feedback and recommend improvements
• Support government affairs, communications, grants, regulatory affairs and other internal partners
• Support broader internal and external communications initiatives, major projects, emergency events and general communications activities
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in public relations, marketing, communications or related field
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in communications, external affairs, community engagement and/or government relations
• Comprehensive knowledge of the utility industry
• Utility (or related field) major project communications management experience preferred
• Ability to manage high-stakes discussions and difficult stakeholder interactions in a high-conflict environment
• Strong strategic planning, organizational and execution skills
• Excellent verbal, written, digital/social media and interpersonal communication skills
• Highly proficient writing and editing using proper grammar, advanced composition techniques, journalistic standards and AP style
• Ability to communicate utility- and cooperative-related issues to varied audiences
• Strong judgment, tact, discretion and courtesy in oral and written communications
• Ability to work with minimal supervision while managing shifting priorities, stressful situations and decisions under pressure
• Ability to collaborate across functions and business lines and influence co-workers who are not direct reports
• Solution-oriented, creative thinker with strong leadership attributes
• Proven safety-first leadership commitment
• Ability to learn and follow Dairyland policies and procedures
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, with reasonable accommodations available

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, and community outreach within the utility industry, with a strong focus on managing high-stakes discussions and creating impactful communication materials.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Strategic Communications Planning
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Community Outreach Management
• Writing and Editing Proficiency
• Utility Industry Knowledge

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Project Messaging Development
• Media Statement Drafting
• Digital Content Creation
• Communication Metrics Tracking
• Crisis Communication Management

Soft Skills

• Interpersonal Communication
• Conflict Resolution
• Creative Problem Solving
• Leadership Attributes
• Organizational Skills

Industry Keywords

• Utility Industry
• Government Relations
• Public Engagement
• Community Engagement
• External Affairs

Tools & Technologies

• Social Media Platforms
• Presentation Software
• Content Management Systems
• Video Production Tools