Senior State Communications & Media Specialist

FirstEnergy; Holmdel Township (NJ); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

FirstEnergy seeks a State Communications Representative to craft clear messages for internal, external and customer audiences. You will partner with the Head of Communications and cross‑functional teams to align on strategic priorities and ensure timely, accurate communications at the state level.

You will tell compelling stories through written content and public speaking, manage digital and multimedia content, and monitor media trends to support outages, engagement and regulatory activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations or related field.
• 3–7 years of communications experience spanning employee/internal communications, media relations, digital content or customer engagement.
• Strong writing and editing skills with ability to tailor content to diverse audiences.
• Experience with emerging communications technologies, including AI‑driven content tools, digital platforms and evolving multimedia formats.
• Strategic storyteller skilled at crafting relatable business narratives.
• Ability to translate complex subjects into clear messaging.
• Ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines.
• Familiarity with social media platforms, CMS tools and multimedia.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to build trust across functions.
• Willingness to support after‑hours and emergency communications.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute internal communications that inform, engage and align state employees with strategic business priorities.
• Draft employee‑focused messaging for employee portal articles, leadership updates, safety campaigns, transformation initiatives and operational activities.
• Translate complex or technical concepts into accessible internal content that supports understanding and builds employee confidence.
• Support executive communications including presentations, talking points, town hall content and internal videos.
• Coordinate with HR, Operations, Safety and Corporate Communications partners to ensure timely internal messaging.
• Serve as PIO during events.
• Serve as media spokesperson, delivering key messages and maintaining a positive public image.
• Participate in after hours media on call rotation and outage/emergency communications.
• Draft news releases, media statements, talking points and external briefings.
• Identify and support pitching of story opportunities that strengthen FirstEnergy’s reputation.
• Build and maintain relationships with local reporters and news outlets.
• Monitor issues and support responses related to outages, community events and emerging topics.
• Produce customer‑focused content supporting programs such as energy efficiency, smart meters, safety and operational updates.
• Break down complex topics into clear messaging for customers and stakeholders.
• Support community engagement through materials for events, public meetings and sponsorship initiatives.
• Ensure consistency with FirstEnergy’s brand and service commitments.
• Create digital content for web, social media, video scripts and visual displays tailored to state audiences.
• Leverage emerging communications technologies – including AI‑enabled tools, digital platforms and new multimedia formats – to enhance content creation, distribution and audience engagement.
• Conduct social and media listening to identify insights that inform messaging.
• Support management of content calendars for internal, external and customer communications.
• Assist with development of videos, graphics and other multimedia assets.
• Support communications related to regulatory filings, public open houses, legislative engagement and stakeholder issues.
• Collaborate across departments to maintain alignment in messaging.
• Attend community or public meetings as needed.
• Collaborate with Corporate Communications colleagues to ensure consistency.
• Promote a positive, inclusive, high‑ performing team culture.

Skills

Strong writing

Media relations

Strategic storytelling

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Digital content

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications/Journalism/Marketing/Public Relations or related field

Tools

CMS tools

AI‑driven content tools

Social media platforms

Multimedia tools

Job description

FirstEnergy seeks a State Communications Representative to craft clear messages for internal, external and customer audiences. You will partner with the Head of Communications and cross‑functional teams to align on strategic priorities and ensure timely, accurate communications at the state level.

You will tell compelling stories through written content and public speaking, manage digital and multimedia content, and monitor media trends to support outages, engagement and regulatory activities.