Manager of Communications
OUC - The Reliable One, an industry leader and the second largest municipal utility in Florida committed to serving the community and the environment, is presently seeking a Manager of Communications to join the Marketing & New Products division.
We are looking for a strategic and creative thinker with excellent storytelling and technical writing skills. In this role you will develop, implement, and manage an effective communications program for internal audiences, including: customer education and outreach, employee communications, crisis communications, and other stakeholder communications. You will be responsible for overseeing the creation, execution, and evaluation of multiple annual strategic communications for Commission-related initiatives, and special projects to ensure that timelines and deadlines are met.
OUC’s mission is to provide exceptional value to our customers and community by delivering sustainable and reliable services and solutions. Click here to learn more about what we do.
The ideal candidate will have:
- Bachelor’s in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, English or a related area of study from an accredited college or university (required).
- Minimum of seven (7) years of experience with journalism, corporate communications and/or public relations developing and editing content via multiple modalities and engaging audiences across multiple channels (print and digital) (required).
- Experience creating and leveraging analytics to track and enhance audience or stakeholder engagement;
- Experience developing and executing communication strategies to strengthen the employer brand (required);
- Minimum three (3) years’ experience leading a team (preferably a communications team) (required);
- Project management and/or other experience in leading efforts and setting direction for projects (preferred)
- Bilingual in Spanish (preferred)
OUC offers a very competitive compensation and benefits package. Our Total Rewards package includes, to cite a few:
- Competitive compensation
- Low cost medical, dental benefits, and paid life insurance premiums with no probationary period
- Retirement benefits include a cash balance account with employer matching along with a health reimbursement account
- Paid vacation, holidays, and sick time
- Educational and professional assistance programs;
- Paid memberships in professional associations;
- Paid conference and training opportunities
- Free downtown parking
- Hybrid work schedule
Click here to view our Benefits Summary.
Salary Range: $112,268.72 - $140,334.46 per year commensurate with experience
Location: Reliable Plaza - 100 W. Anderson Street, Orlando, FL 32801
Please see below a complete Job description for this position.
Job Purpose:
Develops, implements, and manages an effective program of integrated communication for internal and external audiences including, but not limited to: customer education and outreach, employee communication, crisis communication, and other stakeholder communication. Oversees creation, execution, and evaluation of multiple annual strategic communications for Commission-related initiatives, by providing leadership, guidance, management, coaching and coordination. Provides direction to other business units on special projects ensuring that timelines are adhered to and deadlines are met. Provides guidance in accomplishing strategic and operational objectives. Ensures messaging is consistent and engaging through excellent writing skills.
Primary Functions:
Create strategic communication and project plans for various internal and external communication efforts including crisis communication plans;
Manage content development for internal and external communications including employee communications (newsletter, OUC360/360TV, employee alerts), customer communications (blog, newsletters, correspondence), company publications and websites;
Consult with stakeholders to help in identifying communications needs, understanding audiences, identifying communication implications, and determining a targeted/tailored message;
Partner with stakeholders to create content plans for organizational initiatives across departments; help identify, connect, and communicate consistent, strategic messaging across varied initiatives;
Identify opportunities and take action to build strategic relationships between business units, teams and departments to achieve business goals;
Manage executive communications, including development of speeches, talking points and script writing;
Create metrics to track and report on communication efforts including sentiment,
engagement and ROI when applicable; analyze results, make recommendations, and
deliver presentations as needed;
Monitor issues that may impact company and its reputation and make recommendations to
management and other business units on communication strategies;
Identify newsworthy opportunities and leverage OUC content to develop proactive stories in
collaboration with other business units; Ensure consistency and quality of communications
through standardized review process and other methodologies; establish and reinforce
organization’s editorial standards;
Identify, develop, refine, and execute strategies to build new audiences and work with
internal stakeholders to maximize creative opportunities in social media, digital channels,
and email campaigns to maintain and build new audiences;
Write and edit compelling byline articles that establish thought leadership and company
points-of-view; Produce end-to-end corporate communications materials including website
copy, blogs, case studies, news releases, pitch memos, and interview questions;
Distill complex technical information into understandable and engaging content for a variety
of audiences;
Develop and manage editorial calendar in collaboration with other business units and
subject matter experts across organization;
Collaborate on content distribution strategy with Content & Digital Channel Integration
Manager and other stakeholders including management of efficient content creation
processes;
Manage and lead staff, including network writers and external vendors, to provide direction
of day-to-day activities, including, but not limited to, employee coaching, development, and
performance evaluation;
Set strategies and goals for business unit that directly connect to OUC's corporate
strategies; Evaluate and align talent to current and future business needs; mitigate talent
risks; maintain effective work team; foster culture of respect and continuous learning;
Manage selection and promotion procedures including reviewing applicants and interviewing
potential new employees to effectively recommend candidates for open positions within the
business unit;
Participate in developing and administering department budgets, which include overseeing
budget/cost functions; additional responsibilities include creating purchase orders, work
orders and paying invoices;
Serve as the primary source of support for the OUC’s Public Information Officer during
emergency activations to create content and messaging and serve on crisis communication
teams;
Support media and public relations by acting as OUC spokesperson when needed and
participate in on-call rotation;
Manage relationships with out-of-house vendors, community partners, and not-for-profit
agencies; support corporate events as needed;
Manage industry relations activities. Develop and implement strategies to increase industry
awareness of OUC advancements. Provide presentations at industry events and meetings
as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Technical Requirements:
Working knowledge of all, but not limited to, the following:
o Associated Press (AP) writing style
o Editorial processes
o Traditional and emerging communication channels and strategies;
o Written and visual storytelling;
o Related industry, organizational and departmental policies, practices, and
procedures; legal guidelines, ordinances, and laws;
Familiarity with all, but not limited to, the following:
o News story research and reporting;
o Content development for a variety of channels, including print, digital radio,
television, and video;
o Ways that media, journalists, bloggers, and other influencers work;
Ability to:
o Influence others through strong communication skills, both verbal and written; able to
proofread and edit copy;
o Handle sensitive or confidential information;
o Connect the dots and deliver company communications via multiple channels and
platforms;
o Understand and communicate complex topics;
o Develop strategic and effective communication plans;
o Work on multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven
environment;
o Identify, track, and analyze communications related metrics;
o Exhibit good judgment; and work well under pressure;
o Research and stay current with media and news topics;
o Lead, coach, develop, and evaluate a team and assigned employees;
o Make arithmetic computations using whole numbers, fractions and decimals, rates,
ratios, and percentages;
o Use Microsoft Office Suite (Power Point, Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.) and standard
office equipment (telephone, computer, copier, etc.);
Impeccable copywriting/editing skills with a thorough understanding of layout and publishing;
Willingness to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects and
deadlines simultaneously.
Education/ Certification/Years of Experience Requirements:
Bachelor’s in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, English or related area of
study from an accredited college or university (required).
Minimum of seven (7) years of experience with journalism, corporate communications and/or
public relations developing and editing content via multiple modalities and engaging
audiences across multiple channels (print and digital) (required).
Experience with creating and leveraging analytics to track and enhance audience or
stakeholder engagement; Experience developing and executing communication strategies
to strengthen the employer brand (required);
Minimum three (3) years’ experience leading a team (preferably a communications team)
(required);
Project management and/or other experience in leading efforts and setting direction for projects (preferred)
Working Conditions:
This job is absent of disagreeable working conditions. This job requires occasional travel
between various locations within the OUC service territory. This job may require working in
outdoor weather conditions.
Physical Requirements:
This job requires constant speaking, hearing and reading. This job requires constant writing and
typing. This job involves very frequent sitting and repetitive motions. This job may require
occasional standing, walking and lifting of up to twenty (20) lbs. This job may involve occasional
bending/stooping, pushing/pulling and reaching over head. Additionally, this job may require
occasional driving of a company vehicle.
OUC–The Reliable One is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed through responsible management policies to recruit, hire, promote, train, transfer, compensate, and administer all other personnel actions without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information and any other factor prohibited under applicable federal, state, and local civil rights laws, rules, and regulations.
EOE M/F/Vets/Disabled