Communications & Marketing Supervisor

Flathead Electric Cooperative • Kalispell, MT

8d • $97,052 - $120,203 • Onsite

About The Position

Directly responsible for the development and oversight of the Cooperative’s brand and its external marketing and communications strategies including public relations, marketing, and member engagement activities to ensure they are consistent, engaging and effective. Provides support for internal communications efforts.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Job Related Experience: 5 to 10 years in communications, marketing, and public relations utilizing a combination of traditional and current digital media platforms. Prefer experience with utility, electrical, or energy programs.
• Supervision: Experience Supervising Required.
• Computer Skills: Proficient on computer, including Microsoft Office 365, and social media platforms. Experience with website design and maintenance preferred.
• Certificates & Licenses: None required.
• Able to work 40 hours per week with additional time as needed.
• Present a professional appearance at all times.
• Be a team player with effective verbal and written skills.
• Consistently meet deadlines, budgets and work on projects simultaneously.
• Be or become involved in professional, community and industry related activities.
• Able to travel occasionally out-of-area and/or overnight.
• Valid Montana Driver’s License and be insurable to drive FEC vehicles.
• Exhibit excellent member relations and customer service skills.
• Legible handwriting.
• Possess proven ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Be organized, accurate and exercise strong attention to detail.
• Must have critical thinking skills; be autonomous and self-driven; be able to work well independently and with others; and must exercise good judgment.
• Able to establish and maintain working relationships with a variety of individuals, some of whom have opposing points of view.
• Experience with public speaking.
• Ability to handle difficult situations.
• Ability to execute and administer a planned program of work in which it will achieve the expectations of the organization.
• Must have a good understanding of FEC's bylaws, policies, procedures, and rates.
• Must have a strong commitment to the cooperative principles.
• Ability to absorb and apply constructive criticism from team members and peers.

Nice To Haves

• Prefer experience with utility, electrical, or energy programs.
• Experience with website design and maintenance preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a strategic communications plan to advance the strategic directives of the Cooperative, broaden awareness of its programs and priorities, and increase the visibility of its programs across target member audiences.
• Regularly track, evaluate, and report on performance of communications and marketing investments. Utilize member data and key performance indicators to inform decisions and make adjustments as needed to maximize value and/or improve effectiveness of strategies and tools.
• Supervise and provide direction to communications and marketing staff.
• Oversee and assist with the creation of professional, modern, innovative communication strategies, campaigns and techniques to reach targeted Co-op audiences.
• Develop content for external communication and marketing materials such as press releases, presentations, articles, advertisements, websites, and digital media platforms.
• Ensure the effectiveness of the Cooperative's digital presence utilizing metrics to evaluate the impact of digital tools and evolve their use accordingly.
• Serve as chief editor for all external communication and marketing material, ensuring content is consistently updated, accurate, and free of errors. Present complex topics clearly and in an engaging manner to audiences with diverse perspectives and varying levels of understanding of FEC’s issues and objectives.
• Maintain regular communication with key staff members and review internal resources to stay informed about important updates, ensuring the effective dissemination of relevant Co-op information to appropriate audiences. Topics may include, but are not limited to, planned and unplanned power outages, programs and policies, rates, legislative matters, safety initiatives, events, and employee or trustee news.
• Manage FEC media relations, promote FEC stories to media, and secure and monitor placement of earned media in support of communication strategy and raising overall awareness of FEC.
• Manage outage communications, ensuring communications plans and tools are up to date and on call communications staff is prepared to communicate effectively during power outages.
• Manage FEC’s crisis communication plan, and remain prepared to serve as the primary point of contact for the media during a crisis.
• Manage and participate in member engagement and outreach initiatives (including FEC’s Annual Member Meeting and election process), and take a lead role in the evaluation and implementation of new programs to increase member engagement.
• Actively support the Roundup for Safety program, supervising the FEC employee liaison, assisting the Board of Directors with the management of the program and its functions as needed, and developing regular communication materials to support program success.
• Serve as or appoint the communications staff liaison for FEC’s Ambassador Committee, ensuring committee objectives are met, providing support to committee members, and communicating about committee activity to FEC employees and Trustees.
• Work closely with energy services and other internal teams to increase participation in FEC programs including energy efficiency, key member, grassroots advocacy, and other programs. Support regular communication and outreach efforts to current and prospective participants, keeping members informed, interested and engaged with their Cooperative.
• Be ready to assist with and participate in the legislative process by keeping up with industry initiatives that may impact FEC.
• Assist with the design and implementation of programs that build productive, professional relationships and advocacy with strategically important stakeholders, members and partners.
• Promote a positive image for FEC through participation in community activities, civic and/or charitable organizations, and events of local interest.
• Assist department manager in the budgeting process and manage sections of the budget related to promotions, events, and donations/sponsorships.
• On a rotating basis, serve “on call” to direct after-hours communications to members regarding major outages or abnormal system behaviors. Maintain the technical knowledge, skills and abilities to effectively and efficiently perform required on-call duties.
• When performing responsibilities, be efficient, timely, accurate, and confidential. Constantly review work assigned to establish proper priority to meet the individual deadlines of each task/project.
• Always assist members/vendors/employees and the general public in a courteous and professional manner ensuring their continued satisfaction with FEC. Work in harmony and show respect to all fellow employees in order to promote an effective and pleasant working environment.
• Maintain ongoing communication with supervisor regarding situations requiring immediate attention, problems/concerns, questions, etc.
• In pursuit of zero workplace incidents, promote and maintain a positive safety culture while adhering to all applicable policies outlined in the Safety Manual. Report all incidents and potential safety hazards in a timely manner to supervisor or Safety Coordinator.
• Become familiar with and keep current with FEC objectives and applicable policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management applying the same skill and enthusiasm as with regularly assigned responsibilities.

Benefits

• Flathead Electric provides competitive pay, exceptional benefits including a retirement plan, a matching 401K, and generous health/dental/vision/disability insurance.
• Flathead Electric provides on the job training and offers an education reimbursement program for those employees wishing to better their education to pursue opportunities at our Co-op.

What This Job Offers

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