Strategic External Communications Manager

Mississippi Power Co; Atlanta, Northern (GA, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Company seeks an External Communications Manager to lead media relations, craft proactive messaging, and guide executive communications across priority initiatives. The role provides leadership to two direct reports and collaborates with Legal, Regulatory, and Operations teams.

You will develop strategic storytelling, manage issue and crisis communication plans, and measure impact with media analytics and sentiment data while ensuring brand alignment.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or related field.
• 7–10+ years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, or media relations.
• 2 years of management experience.
• Experience working with Cision, PR Newswire, Meltwater or related platform.
• 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 primary contact for media inquiries and manage relationships.
• Develop and execute media strategies to proactively position the company and its leadership.
• Draft external statements and coordinate messages across channels.
• Lead development and execution of communications plans for issues, crises, and high-profile business developments.
• Collaborate with internal teams to align campaigns and digital channels.

Skills

Media relations

Strategic thinking

Writing & storytelling

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor3s degree

Tools

Cision

PR Newswire

Meltwater

Job description

Southern Company seeks an External Communications Manager to lead media relations, craft proactive messaging, and guide executive communications across priority initiatives. The role provides leadership to two direct reports and collaborates with Legal, Regulatory, and Operations teams.

You will develop strategic storytelling, manage issue and crisis communication plans, and measure impact with media analytics and sentiment data while ensuring brand alignment.