Strategic External Communications Lead

Southern Company; Atlanta, Northern (GA, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual incentive awards

Comprehensive benefits

Total rewards strategy

Job summary

Southern Company is seeking an External Communications Manager to develop and execute strategic external communications that strengthen stakeholder trust and support key business priorities. This role leads media relations and elevates storytelling around strategic initiatives, with responsibility for guiding two direct reports to ensure alignment with communications priorities.

The position requires extensive experience in corporate communications, crisis messaging, and executive-level

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or related field.
• 7–10+ years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, or media relations.
• Ideal candidate will have 2 years of management experience.
• Experience working with Cision, PR Newswire, Meltwater or related platforms.
• Ideal candidate will have supervisory experience and experience managing high-profile issues, crisis communications, and executive-level messaging.
• Experience in regulated industries (e.g., energy, utilities, infrastructure) preferred.
• Social media experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary point of contact for media inquiries; manage relationships with local, regional, and national outlets.
• Develop and execute media strategies to proactively position the company and its leadership.
• Prepare executives and subject matter experts for media engagement, including briefings and key messages.
• Monitor media coverage and sentiment; provide insights and recommendations to leadership.
• Manage media distribution platforms and tools, including press release dissemination, media list management, performance reporting, and journalist engagement tracking.

Skills

Writing and storytelling

Strategic thinking

Executive presence

Stakeholder management

Attention to detail

Agility

Influence without authority

Cision/PR tools experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications/public relations/journalism

Tools

Cision

PR Newswire

Meltwater

Job description

Southern Company is seeking an External Communications Manager to develop and execute strategic external communications that strengthen stakeholder trust and support key business priorities. This role leads media relations and elevates storytelling around strategic initiatives, with responsibility for guiding two direct reports to ensure alignment with communications priorities.

The position requires extensive experience in corporate communications, crisis messaging, and executive-level