Sr Manager, Public Relations

AES Corporation; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

AES Indiana seeks a Senior Manager of Public Relations to lead external reputation and strategic communications in one of AES's most visible markets. This role serves as a senior strategic advisor to AES Indiana leadership and protects the company's reputation with media, regulators, customers, and employees.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in reputation management, crisis communications, and long-range planning, guiding executive leadership around clear narratives and risk mitigation

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or related field.
• 15+ years in public relations, strategic communications or corporate affairs.
• Experience leading reputation management and crisis communications in regulated environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication with executive audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead AES Indiana's public relations strategy to protect and enhance reputation.
• Advise leadership on reputational risk, messaging, and narrative development.
• Oversee crisis communications planning, testing, and execution.
• Manage media relations, spokesperson readiness, and external messaging.

Skills

Public relations

Crisis communications

Media relations

Strategic planning

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations

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.

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.
• Calm, decisive leader during crises.
• 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.

Accelerating the future of energy, together Our people are our energy and have transformed AES into the type of energy company that the world needs today and in the future.

Coming from all walks of life, our people share a passion for improving lives by advancing the energy sector through innovation, collaboration and action.

We are working in an industry that requires new thinking and ways of working together to create solutions that are both economically and environmentally viable, not just one or the other.

We are looking for passionate people to join us in our mission to accelerate the future of energy.