Associate, Strategic Communications

Pattern Energy Group•Chicago, IL

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

Pattern Energy is a leading renewable energy company that develops, constructs, owns, and operates high-quality wind and solar generation, transmission, and energy storage facilities. Our mission is to transition the world to renewable energy through the sustainable development and responsible operation of facilities with respect for the environment, communities, and cultures where we have a presence. Our approach begins and ends with establishing trust, accountability, and transparency. Our company values of creative spirit, pride of ownership, follow-through, and a team-first attitude drive us to pursue our mission every day. Our culture supports our values by fostering innovative and critical thinking and a deep belief in living up to our promises. Headquartered in the United States, Pattern has a global portfolio of more than 30 power facilities and transmission assets, serving various customers that provide low-cost clean energy to millions of consumers. The Strategic Communications Associate grows Pattern's communications capacity to meet the needs of a growing development and operating portfolio, producing project-specific communications strategy, materials, messaging, and digital presence across priority U.S. regions. The work directly supports Pattern's business objectives by positioning priority projects and the Pattern brand favorably in key regions, informing narratives and engaging stakeholders within an increasingly complex digital information landscape. The Associate contributes to communications strategy and is responsible for executing it, delivering strong drafts, sharp content, and a modern digital presence. This work balances proactive efforts that build goodwill with reactive efforts that protect reputation and Pattern's license to operate when issues arise. The Associate also builds and formalizes the tools and processes that let the function scale alongside the portfolio. Delivering this work requires close partnership with project teams, subject matter experts, and external agencies.

Requirements

Three to five of experience in strategic communications, public affairs, content development, or a closely related field.
Experience creating and managing content for digital channels, such as websites and social media.
Experience working on complex projects with multiple stakeholders, shifting priorities, and tight deadlines.
Proven cross-functional collaborator, able to work with subject matter experts and external agency partners to translate technical information into clear, public-facing communications.
Experience working with diverse audiences and simplifying technical concepts for general audiences.
Hands-on experience applying AI tools to communications work.
Strong writing and editing skills across formats, from messaging documents to press materials to stakeholder communications
In-depth understanding of the media and information landscape, including how information moves across traditional and digital channels and how quickly misinformation can spread, and the ability to apply that understanding to protect accurate information.
Sound judgment on sensitive issues and the discretion to handle them appropriately.
Experience working with diverse audiences and simplifying technical concepts for general audiences.

Nice To Haves

Experience in energy, infrastructure, or another regulated industry.
A mix of agency and in-house experience.
Experience working with local and regional press.
Familiarity with political advocacy, land use, and permitting or siting challenges in energy development.
Familiarity with website content management systems and/or social media management and analytics tools.

Responsibilities

Draft and execute project-level communications strategies across development, construction, and operations, tied to business milestones and project outcomes.
Provide strategic communications counsel to project leads and field teams, staying close to project developments and regulatory milestones to inform planning.
Maintain a broad view of priorities across Pattern's priority U.S. regions, flagging priorities, risks, and opportunities as they emerge.
Position Pattern's projects and priority regions, and the broader Pattern brand in those regions, for today's digital information environment: how information is created, shared, and consumed online.
Support regional social media efforts for assigned projects, keeping content and tone in direct alignment with corporate strategy and brand guidelines.
Manage and maintain Pattern's digital presence for assigned projects, including project websites and web content.
Track and report on digital content and channel performance, building simple, repeatable reporting processes across projects.
Draft messaging frameworks that align Pattern teams and partners around clear, consistent information, including messaging pillars, Q&A, and supporting language for assigned projects.
Produce project materials that translate strategy into clear, audience-specific communications, including fact sheets, press releases, open house content, and newsletters.
Adapt approved corporate and project messaging for new audiences, channels, and moments as they arise.
Manage media relations for assigned projects, ensuring timely and accurate information reaches local and regional outlets in Pattern's priority regions.
Lead communications responses to specific project issues, protecting project timelines and reputation with sound judgment and speed.
Track industry trends and coverage affecting assigned projects, using insights to sharpen strategy and bring new perspectives to the team.
Build and maintain repeatable processes for content creation, review, and approval as the portfolio and the function grow.
Identify efficiencies that let the strategic communications function scale alongside Pattern's growing portfolio.