Job Information
Consumers Energy External Communications Cnslt (Media Relations) in GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan
Join the diverse and dynamic team that powers Michigan's largest energy provider and one of the nation's largest gas and electric combination utilities. Consumers Energy services 6.8 million of Michigan's 10 million residents - caring for our friends and neighbors in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. We embrace a cleaner and leaner utility vision focused on eliminating energy waste and adding renewable energy from sources such as wind and solar.
Location:
The successful candidate will be expected to work in a hybrid status of reporting to the Grand Rapids Service Center every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday with home office flexibility on Wednesday and Friday.
We are looking for: External Communications Consultant (Media Relations)
This individual will serve as the company’s primary face and voice in the West Michigan media market. You are responsible for developing effective relationships with print, radio and TV reporters for the company, Michigan’s largest energy provider. This position will be filled by a candidate with a broad range of communications skillsets, including world-class written and verbal communications skills for on the record communications planning and project management, technical and creative writing, and Public Relations. This position will also be the main point of contact with reporters in the region, in particular the counties of Grand Traverse, Kalamazoo, Kent, Muskegon and Ottawa. This individual takes on a variety of Public Relations roles to ensure the company is recognized as a leader in the region.
The person will prepare statements, news releases, talking points, memos, and advisories, and must be comfortable working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. The person will also work with senior management to coach, prepare and advise them on Media Relations best practices.
The External Communications Consultant communicates with various external audiences through multiple communication channels, ensuring programs are implemented and materials meet company standards and guidelines that align with our company’s brand, philanthropic goals, and strategic interests. They will be relationship builders and strategic communicators with the ability to create alliances that continuously builds on the company’s external reputation.
Exceptional writing and editing skills in AP Style with a keen eye for detail.
Strong strategic thinking and the ability to develop and execute communication plans.
Technically Savvy. Highly proficient using industry standard tools and applications.
Consulting and strategic relationship building skills
Strong project management skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and adapt to the needs of different organizations
We encourage you to apply if you have:
Bachelor’s degree in marketing, advertising, public affairs, community affairs, communications, journalism, media/digital media, or related field with two (2) or more years of applicable experience
[OR] Associate’s degree in marketing, advertising, public affairs, community affairs, communications, journalism, media/digital media, or related field with six (6) or more years of applicable experience
[OR] High School Diploma with ten (10) or more years of applicable experience
Experience in in external communication, public relations, or a related field.
Professional writing experience.
Experience building and maintaining various stakeholder relationships.
In this role, you will:
Be a proactive storyteller in the region –developing positive, proactive story opportunities in your region for public consumption to achieve specific strategic and operational outcomes.
Be part of the company’s media after hours on-call rotation serving as a spokesperson for Consumers Energy when the company is experiencing outages, large storms, natural gas emergencies and other company-related events.
Strong presentation, verbal and written communications skills, be able to handle several issues at one time and accurately and clearly speak to those issues on behalf of the company.
Prepare and distribute news releases, briefing memos, marketing materials, photographs, fact sheets, etc. to media representatives and other interested parties.
Be able to build, maintain and enhance relationships with key reporters in your region.
Monitor and draw insights from data, and communicate your results on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.
Collaborate with leaders and teams from different business areas to develop comprehensive external communication strategies tailored to their specific goals and needs. Identify opportunities for synergy and alignment across the organization to maintain a cohesive brand image.
Responsible for overseeing the execution of a variety of communication materials, developing a communications plan (i.e., key messages, timeline, stakeholders, audience, channels, and visual assets) and managing the various components of the plan to ensure desired outcomes are achieved and goals are met.
Produce high-quality communications content to convey key messages effectively in your respective channel. General writer/editor for area of responsibility. Provides editing & reviews of messages for clients, including external communications. Develop and maintain relationships with key contacts.
Creates visual assets to include in messages for applicable audiences (including but not limited to infographics, icons, 1-pagers, podcasts, videos, posters, presentations, etc.) in order to simplify complex information and drive understanding.
Ensure consistent application of corporate brand standards across all communications channels.
Measure the effectiveness of external communication efforts, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven recommendations.
Assists in the development of crisis communication plans and provide support during high-impact events.
Other non-essential duties as assigned or may be necessary.
Why should you join our team?
At Consumers Energy, we offer more than just a place to work. We foster a culture that supports career development, growth, and stability, and we take pride in offering our co-workers excellent benefits and compensation packages. We are deliberately creating an inclusive culture that makes our diverse team of co-workers feel valued, supported, and empowered every day. We're a company made up of thousands of people, all with different stories to share and work to do, but we stand united in our company purpose: world class performance delivering hometown service.
What we offer:
Competitive compensation packages
Medical, Dental and Vision
401k with company match
Paid parental leave
Up to 13 paid Holidays
Paid time off
Educational Assistance Program
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:
We, at CMS Energy, value Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. It is part of our DNA. We treat our employees with respect, we treat each other fairly and we value the opinions of others. We are passionate about building and nurturing an environment where everyone feels included. We don’t discriminate. We seek to learn about each other and better understand our unique differences. Our uniqueness makes us authentic. We create safe spaces where everyone can be who they truly are. We invite difficult conversations and uncomfortable topics. We value diverse perspectives; this is what makes us great together. We harbor an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to share their backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. Our Employee Resource Groups, Women’s Advisory Panel (WAP), Women’s Engineering Network (WEN), Minority Advisory Panel (MAP), Pride Alliance of Consumers Energy (PACE), GENERGY, capable, Interfaith and Veterans Advisory Panel (VAP) are key enablers to living the values of our company culture: Caring, Empowered, Deliberate, Agility, and Ownership.
All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.