Communication Representative - OH Communications

FirstEnergy • Akron, OH

2d

About The Position

The State Communications Representative is an individual contributor with FirstEnergy Service Co. who delivers internal, external, and customer communications supporting business objectives at the state level. The representative partners closely with the Head of State Communications and works with corporate and state teams—including Operations, External Affairs, Regulatory, Customer Accounts & Local Engagement, Safety, and Corporate Communications—to provide employees, customers, and stakeholders with consistent, accurate, and compelling information.

The role provides strategic communications advice, develops high-quality written content, and speaks publicly on key issues. It calls for a self-directed, collaborative communicator who can anticipate pitfalls, develop solutions, translate complex topics into clear messaging, and meet tight deadlines. The representative uses an understanding of media trends and video, digital, and social channels to support communications across multiple audiences.

The position supports employee communications, media relations, customer and community communications, digital and multimedia content, regulatory and stakeholder communications, and operational messaging. It includes serving as a media spokesperson, supporting after-hours media on-call and outage or emergency communications, and attending community or public meetings as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field.
• 3–7 years of communications experience spanning employee or internal communications, media relations, digital content, or customer engagement.
• Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to tailor content to diverse audiences.
• Experience with emerging communications technologies, including AI-driven content tools, digital communication platforms, and evolving multimedia formats.
• Strategic storytelling skills and the ability to craft relatable business narratives.
• Ability to translate complex subjects into clear messaging.
• Ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines.
• Familiarity with social media platforms, CMS tools, and multimedia.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust across functions.
• Willingness to support after-hours and emergency communications.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute internal communications that inform, engage, and align state employees with strategic business priorities.
• Draft employee-focused content for employee portal articles, leadership updates, safety campaigns, transformation initiatives, and operational activities.
• Translate complex or technical concepts into accessible internal content.
• Support executive communications, including presentations, talking points, town hall content, and internal videos.
• Coordinate timely internal messaging with HR, Operations, Safety, and Corporate Communications partners.
• Draft news releases, media statements, talking points, and external briefings.
• Identify and support pitching story opportunities that strengthen FirstEnergy’s reputation.
• Build and maintain relationships with local reporters and news outlets.
• Serve as a media spokesperson, deliver key messages, and maintain a positive public image.
• Monitor issues and support responses related to outages, community events, and emerging topics.
• Participate in an after-hours media on-call rotation and outage or emergency communications.
• Produce customer-focused content for programs such as energy efficiency, smart meters, safety, and operational updates.
• Create clear customer and stakeholder messaging about complex topics.
• Support community engagement with materials for events, public meetings, and sponsorship initiatives.
• Ensure communications align with FirstEnergy’s brand and service commitments.
• Create digital content for websites, social media, video scripts, and visual displays tailored to state audiences.
• Use emerging communications technologies, including AI-enabled tools, digital platforms, and new multimedia formats, to improve content creation, distribution, and audience engagement.
• Conduct social and media listening to identify insights that inform messaging.
• Support content calendars for internal, external, and customer communications.
• Assist with developing videos, graphics, and other multimedia assets.
• Support communications related to regulatory filings, public open houses, legislative engagement, and stakeholder issues.
• Collaborate across departments to maintain aligned messaging and with Corporate Communications colleagues to ensure consistency.
• Attend community or public meetings as needed.
• Promote a positive, inclusive, high-performing team culture.

Benefits

• Competitive pay plus incentive compensation
• Company-sponsored pension plan
• 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution
• Choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs
• Skills development training with tuition reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level