Sr Specialist, Communications

Spire Systems Inc.; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Spire Inc. seeks a seasoned Senior Specialist of Communications to manage and implement internal and external initiatives for employees and customers.

You must be an accomplished writer adept at multiple voices and channels, including digital, email, and print. In this role, you will build relationships with leaders, shape content strategy, lead high-visibility projects, craft the monthly customer newsletter reaching millions, and drive editorial calendars across channels aligned with Spire’s

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, Business or related field.
• 7+ years of writing and editing experience.
• Experience writing for a variety of audiences and channels.

Responsibilities

• Establish relationships with Spire leaders and employees across the company.
• Provide communications strategy and craft materials for emails, letters, web content, newsletters, and more.
• Lead high-visibility projects and serve as lead writer for key communications.
• Develop content for external channels, internal portals, email, and social media.
• Own editorial calendars and content planning across multiple channels.

Skills

AP style

Writing & editing

Public speaking

Content management systems

MS Office

Social media

Project management

SEO basics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Journalism/Communications/Business

Tools

Content Management Systems

Microsoft Office

Social platforms

Job description

Company Overview

We are committed to understanding the needs of the homes and businesses we serve. That's why we're always looking for driven, collaborative people to join our team. Because we believe that offering our customers the best service means bringing together the best people.

And we find the best by hiring those who share our values of safety, inclusion and integrity, and demonstrate the competencies that bring the Spire vision, mission and culture to life:

• Adaptability: We embrace change, continuously seeking opportunities for improvement while remaining open-minded and flexible in response to evolving conditions and customer, stakeholder and company needs.
• Collaboration: We achieve more together through a foundation of respect, embracing healthy conflict, actively seeking and providing actionable feedback and fostering an environment where everyone’s input is welcomed.
• Ownership: We see things through, demonstrate accountability, honor commitments, take responsibility for outcomes and demonstrate initiative.

Summary

This Senior Specialist position is responsible for managing, producing and implementing both internal and external communications initiatives created for Spire employees and customers. This role requires an accomplished writer who is adept at creating effective communications for a variety of audiences, in a variety of styles and voices, and for a variety of channels, including digital platforms.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Establish and nurture formal and informal relationships with Spire leaders and other employees across the company
• Provide communications strategy, working with business partners to meet their objectives. Craft a variety of materials and assets to support these efforts, including but not limited to emails and letters, booklets, web content, educational posts, feature stories, flyers, digital signage graphics, presentations and more
• Serve as communications team lead for high-visibility projects as assigned
• Create and deploy effective communications to inform, educate and engage Spire customers across multiple channels; responsibilities will include writing for traditional and digital channels — the external website, internal customer portal (“My Account”), email, text, and automated and on-hold phone system
• In partnership with the Manager of Digital strategy, serves as a primary strategist and content creator for Spire's social media platforms
• Optimize content for external channels, using knowledge of writing for the web and search engine optimization best practices
• Serve as lead writer for the company’s monthly customer newsletter, which is distributed to more than 1 million Spire customers throughout our major service areas; assist with content strategy to ensure engagement with content
• Develop content for the Spire intranet (inSpire), assisting with content planning and scheduling, coordinating with a team of writers and influencing platform strategy.
• Develop and manage editorial calendars across multiple communications channels, overseeing deadlines and priorities.
• Enterprise story ideas, proactively scouting for ideas discussions with employees and business partners. Gather background information and write compelling content ranging from features about employees and charity work to earnings information and business processes
• Support development and implementation of comprehensive communications strategy, providing counsel on changes and updates to the strategy
• Assist with the development, planning, promotion and implementation of engagement programs for all Spire employees, including employee outings and events, employee meetings and other events as needed.
• Support the production of videos, including identifying subject, crafting interview questions and coordinating logistics
• Craft all strategies, content and messaging in alignment with Spire’s mission and brand

Essential Characteristics

• Outstanding written communication skills, with experience and a strong proficiency in AP style
• Proven ability to write for a variety of audience segments, with vastly different communications needs and consumption preferences
• Results-driven, with experience making data-driven decisions and optimizations
• Demonstrated excellence in public speaking and leading large group calls
• Displays a natural curiosity to help inform communications efforts, with a strong ability to grasp new concepts, strategies and initiatives
• Deadline-oriented, with the ability to multi-task
• Creative, resourceful and adaptable
• Self-motivated, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Proficiency in using content management systems, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and social media
• Strong listening and problem-solving skills
• Strong ethics and integrity, dedication to a safe work environment, commitment to a diverse workforce
• Friendly, approachable demeanor, with a desire to meet new people

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Required Education (certifications, licenses)

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, Business or related field

Required knowledge, skill and abilities

• 7+ years of writing and editing experience
• Experience managing routine weekly content publication strongly preferred
• Strong written communications skills, with experience in a variety of communications areas, such as customer (direct to consumer) communications, employee communications, media relations, journalism, marketing, etc.
• Strong, demonstrated project management capabilities
• Proficient with creating and optimizing accessible content for consumer audiences, particularly for digital channels
• Basic knowledge of search engine optimization strategies and writing for the web best practices
• Demonstrated experience in building and nurturing positive, collaborative relationships

Physical demands, environment and schedule

• Work is performed in a shared office environment at Spire’s headquarters, collaborating with multiple business locations across the country
• Up to 15% travel required to other Spire offices and employee locations

Posting Requirements

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Spire Inc., and its subsidiaries are an