Sr Manager, Public Relations

The AES Corporation; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The AES Corporation, a leading power company, is seeking a Senior Manager, Public Relations for AES Indiana to shape external reputation across media, regulators, customers and employees. You will guide crisis communications, reputation management, and long-range strategic planning in a regulated market.

You will partner with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to craft narratives, prepare messaging, and oversee media relations during major initiatives, ensuring clear, credible

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or related field.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in public relations or corporate affairs.
• Proven experience leading reputation management and crisis communications.
• Strong strategic planning skills and ability to translate regulatory issues into clear narratives.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication, executive-level storytelling.
• Experience in utilities or regulated industries preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead AES Indiana’s public relations strategy and reputation management across external audiences.
• Act as senior advisor on reputational risk and narrative development with AES Indiana leadership.
• Lead crisis communications and develop/testing plans for high-pressure events.
• Oversee media relations, spokesperson readiness, and external messaging.
• Develop integrated strategic communications plans with cross-functional teams.

Skills

Reputation management

Crisis communications

Media relations

Strategic communications

Executive messaging

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Are you ready to be part of a company that's not just talking about the future, but actively shaping it? Join The AES Corporation, the largest US-based global power company with a team of 8,300 employees across 12 countries.

AES has been ranked #1 by BloombergNEF in renewable energy sales to corporations in the US and Americas for five consecutive years, providing electricity for millions of people worldwide.

We are proud to foster a strong workplace culture, earning prominent positions in Great Place to Work rankings across the markets where we operate. AES was also named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the 13th consecutive year in 2026, highlighting our dedication to integrity, transparency, and responsible business practices.

Our spirit of innovation continues to earn industry recognition. AES is the only seven-time winner of the Edison Electric Institute’s Edison Awards in the twenty-first century, a distinction honoring global leadership in advancing the electric power industry.

If you're ready to be part of a company that's not just adapting to change, but driving it, AES is the place for you. We're not just building a more sustainable future, we're powering it.

Position Overview

The Senior Manager, Public Relations for AES Indiana is responsible for leading the company’s external reputation and public-facing communications in one of AES’s most visible and complex utility markets. This role serves as a senior strategic advisor to AES Indiana leadership and plays a critical role in protecting and strengthening AES Indiana’s reputation with key audiences, including media, community leaders, regulators, customers, and employees.

This position requires deep expertise in reputation management, crisis communications, and long-range strategic communications planning, as well as strong judgment in high-pressure situations. The ideal candidate brings a proven track record of leading communications during moments of intense scrutiny, aligning executive leadership around clear narratives, and anticipating reputational risk in a regulated, politically sensitive environment.

Key Responsibilities

Public Relations & Reputation Management

• Lead AES Indiana’s public relations strategy, ensuring consistent, transparent, and credible messaging that builds trust and protects the company’s reputation across all external audiences.
• Serve as the primary senior lead for reputation management initiatives, identifying emerging issues, assessing risk, and recommending proactive mitigation strategies.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the Senior Director of Corporate Affairs & Impact and AES Indiana executive leadership on reputational risk, public positioning, and narrative development.

Crisis Communications

• Lead communications strategy and execution during crises, including customer impact events, safety incidents, severe weather, regulatory scrutiny, or reputational threats.
• Develop, maintain, and regularly test crisis communications plans, protocols, and scenarios in collaboration with internal partners.
• Ensure rapid, coordinated response across communications channels during crisis events, with a focus on accuracy, empathy, and clarity for customers and stakeholders.

Media Relations & External Engagement

• Oversee AES Indiana’s media relations strategy, including proactive pitch development, reactive media response, spokesperson preparation, and message discipline.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with local, regional, and industry media, ensuring AES Indiana is viewed as a credible and trusted source.
• Lead the development of executive messaging, talking points, statements, and op-eds in support of business priorities, regulatory activities, and community engagement.

Strategic Communications Planning

• Develop integrated public relations and communications plans aligned to AES Indiana’s business priorities, regulatory environment, and community impact goals.
• Partner cross-functionally with Customer Communications, Stakeholder Relations, Government Affairs, Regulatory, Legal, and Operations teams to ensure message alignment and risk awareness.
• Anticipate communications challenges related to major initiatives—including grid modernization, large customer growth, rate-related issues, and energy transition milestones and ensure readiness ahead of key moments.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field required; advanced degree a plus.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in public relations, strategic communications, or corporate affairs, with demonstrated leadership in complex or regulated environments.
• Proven experience leading reputation management and crisis communications efforts, including high-profile or high-intensity situations.
• Strong strategic planning skills, with the ability to translate complex business and regulatory issues into clear, compelling narratives.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience writing for executive leadership and external audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and composure under pressure.
• Experience in utilities, energy, infrastructure, government, or similarly regulated industries strongly preferred.

Competencies for Success

• Strategic thinker with strong situational awareness and risk assessment capabilities
• Trusted advisor mindset with executive presence
• Collaborative partner who works effectively across functions
• High standards, attention to detail, and commitment to accuracy and credibility

AES is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed to building strength and delivering long-term sustainability through diversity and inclusion. Respecting all backgrounds, differences and perspectives enables us to improve the lives of our people, customers, suppliers, contractors, and the communities in which we live and work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or expression, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. E-Verify Notice: AES will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.