Sr Communications Specialist

NiSource; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 67,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Communications Specialist/Lead to enhance its strategic communication efforts. This role involves crafting effective internal and external communication strategies, managing corporate social responsibility initiatives, and collaborating with senior leaders. The ideal candidate will possess strong written and verbal communication skills, a passion for storytelling, and the ability to work in a dynamic environment. Join a team that values inclusion and actively contributes to a positive workplace culture while driving impactful communication strategies.

Qualifications

• 4-6 years of experience in communications or journalism.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential.
• Must be detail-oriented and organized.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute integrated communications plans.
• Collaborate with departments to achieve communication goals.
• Track and report on communication effectiveness.

Skills

Written Communication

Verbal Communication

Project Management

Interpersonal Skills

Graphic Design Software

Microsoft Office Suite

AP Style Knowledge

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Communications

Experience in Corporate Environment

Tools

Content Management Systems

Graphic Design Software

Job description

Job Summary
The Communications Specialist/Lead job family leverages strong written, verbal, and visual communications skills to strategically manage and flawlessly execute effective communications plans and tactics supporting NiSource's business strategy across seven operating companies. They also understand customer and stakeholder needs and develop and execute on communications strategies across all internal and external channels. The Communications Specialist/Lead job family works collaboratively with NiSource senior leaders and communications teams across the company, while providing 24/7 crisis communications and issues management support.

Senior Communications Specialists will work within a specific function within the communications department:

Corporate Social Responsibility
Supports our national giving, grantmaking, employee engagement, corporate philanthropy, stakeholder engagement, community development and public affairs alignment. Support the NiSource Charitable Foundation and Enterprise Communications by providing dynamic and effective leadership relating to the company's efforts around purposeful philanthropic giving. Ensures that philanthropic activities support business objectives are aligned with the company's vision, mission, values, and aspirational commitments. An ideal candidate will be able to support NiSource's thinking on corporate giving and purpose through collaboration with internal and external partners. Additionally, this position will be responsible for developing, tracking, and maintaining all metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of programs.

Internal Communications
Supports our internal communications strategy and program, including writing and editing employee materials, supporting dissemination of employee communications, developing employee talking points for leaders, assisting with all employee town halls, and recording executive videos for dissemination to employees. An ideal candidate will be able to support NiSource's thinking and approach to internal communications, and to ensure that NiSource's internal communications reflect the company's Mission, Vision, Values, and aspirational commitments.

External Communications
Supports our external communications strategy and program, including writing and editing external materials, including news releases, executive speeches, media talking points, web content and assisting with social media content. This role will also support the dissemination of external communications across all channels. In addition, an ideal candidate will be able to align NiSource's external communications with the company's Mission, Vision, Values, and aspirational commitments. The role will also be responsible for tracking effectiveness of external communications and writing/editing reports on reach.

Essential Functions

• Works collaboratively across departments to resolve issues, drive projects to closure and achieve desired results.
• Supports and executes the development of integrated communications plans, strategies and tactics using all available communications channels.
• Cultivates and manages strong, collaborative relationships to support development and execution of enterprise-wide efforts and local communications strategies.
• Provides strategic communications counsel to senior leaders and state communication teams.
• Leads strategies to drive and enhance delivery of messages across all internal and external channels to customers, employees, and other audiences; partner with communicators across the company to drive consistent and efficient messaging and branding.
• Identifies continuous improvement opportunities to streamline processes and procedures to support individual, department, and NiSource-wide goals.
• Cultivates expertise in storytelling and branding, employing multimedia techniques across multiple channels.
• Executes on a comprehensive editorial calendar by creating materials and driving digital content management and graphic development (e.g., brochures, videos, other publications) to support internal and external communications, and review materials for internal meetings.
• Accountable for the development and oversight of work that supports a detailed communications channel strategy and associated governance models, using data and best practices to inform strategy.
• Identifies audience needs, recommend strategies, and develop communications plans and tactics to support business needs.
• Uses and identifies appropriate measurement tools and metrics to support effective communications.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned

Required Qualifications for Position

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, or another related field
• 4-6 years Minimum three to five years of communications, journalism (or related) experience in a professional/corporate environment, with emphasis on strong written and verbal communications skills
• Demonstrated ability to assess needs and deliver on communications activities.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communications skills as well as skills in project management planning and execution.
• Must be a self-starter who is extremely organized and detail-oriented, enjoys technology, and can work in a team environment.
• Knowledge of software to create graphics, spreadsheets, word-processing files, databases, and PDF files to support and enhance effective communications.
• Strong proficiency in all Microsoft Office applications
• Solid understanding of AP Style

Preferred Additional Qualifications for Position

• 7-9 years Five to seven years of communications experience
• Experience with content management system

The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the position.

Work Authorization

Authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.

Workplace Connection
Value inclusion within your day to day responsibilities by respecting others perspectives/convictions, engaging others opinions, creating a safe environment where people, ideas, and opinions are valued within your Team/Customers and external partners.

Respect the unique lived experiences within your Team/Customers and external work partners by valuing different world views, challenges, and cultures that represents all walks of life and all backgrounds.

Treat others with respect and consideration. Actively participate in creating and contributing to a positive work environment.

Equal Employment Opportunity
NiSource is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in each of its companies to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, veteran status, disability, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, childbirth or related medical conditions), genetic information, citizenship status, or any protected group status as defined by law. Each employee is expected to abide by this principle.

By applying, you may be considered for other job opportunities.

Safety Statement
Promote a safe work environment by actively participating in all aspects of our employee safety program. Report any unsafe conditions and take actions to prevent personal injuries. Support our interdependent safety culture by ensuring the safety of your co-workers. Stay focused on the task at hand and promote productivity through good work habits.

Salary Range*:

$67,900.00 - $101,900.00

*The salary offered to a candidate is based on several factors including but not limited to the candidate’s skills, job-related knowledge, and relevant experience, as well as internal pay equity.

Posting Start Date:

2025-05-01

Posting End Date (if applicable):

2025-05-15Please note that the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.