Communications Strategist (Hybrid - La Crosse, WI)

Dairyland Power Cooperative•La Crosse, WI

1d•$89,000 - $133,500•Hybrid

About The Position

The Communications Strategist is an autonomous individual contributor who works closely with the Senior Public Affairs & Communications Strategist to develop and refine strategic communications, messaging, materials, and stakeholder engagement plans. The role is a primary liaison among internal and external stakeholders, coordinating information gathering, schedules, documentation, reviews, and approvals so communications work advances effectively. It supports strategic development and delivery, serves as backup to the Senior Strategist as needed, and may represent Dairyland in internal and external settings involving high-profile or high-conflict issues. The position exercises sound judgment and meaningful independence within approved strategies, messaging, and escalation protocols; the Senior Strategist and leadership retain primary ownership of the most sensitive public-facing priorities. The position supports communications for major transmission projects, business initiatives, and other high-priority work. It turns project information, stakeholder insights, research, analytics, and approved business strategies into communication-ready materials for leadership and designated messengers. It also supports community outreach, public engagement, education, advocacy activities, project meetings, open houses, and public events, and tracks communications deliverables, approvals, stakeholder feedback, and results. The position is based in a hybrid work arrangement in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The hiring salary range is $89,000–$133,500; the actual offer may vary based on education, work experience, certifications, and other factors.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in public relations, marketing, communications, or a related field.
At least five years of experience in communications, external affairs, community engagement, and/or government relations.
Comprehensive knowledge of the utility industry.
Ability to independently organize and advance complex work, recognize when alignment or approval is required, and manage multiple stakeholders and deliverables without direct authority.
Strong strategic thinking, project coordination, organizational, and execution skills, including information synthesis, timeline and documentation management, review coordination, and delivery under competing deadlines.
Excellent verbal, written, digital/social media, and interpersonal communication skills; highly proficient writing and editing using proper grammar, advanced composition techniques, journalistic standards, and AP style.
Ability to communicate utility- and cooperative-related issues to varied audiences, including leadership, internal partners, member cooperatives, regional stakeholders, and the public.
Strong judgment, tact, discretion, and composure when supporting high-profile or high-conflict matters; ability to participate in business, legislative, community, and public forums within approved messaging and escalation protocols.
Goal-oriented, self-starting approach with strong follow-through, attention to detail, minimal-supervision capability, and ability to anticipate needs, resolve routine barriers, and manage shifting priorities under pressure.
Ability to build trust and collaborate closely with the Senior Public Affairs & Communications Strategist, leaders, and colleagues; influence stakeholders who are not direct reports; and maintain accountability for inputs, reviews, approvals, and deadlines.
Solution-oriented and creative thinking, with the ability to develop strategic ideas into communication-ready recommendations and materials while balancing independence with collaboration and escalation.
Proven safety-first leadership commitment and ability to learn and follow Dairyland policies and procedures.

Nice To Haves

Utility (or related field) major project communications management experience.

Responsibilities

Partner with the Senior Public Affairs & Communications Strategist to develop, refine, and coordinate strategic communications and stakeholder engagement plans, messages, programs, and campaigns.
Translate project information, stakeholder insights, research, analytics, and approved business strategies into clear, communication-ready materials.
Serve as the day-to-day communications liaison among project teams, subject-matter experts, leaders, external project partners, and other stakeholders.
Establish work plans and timelines; gather and validate information; consolidate feedback; coordinate reviews; route documents for approval; track decisions and action items; and follow up to meet deadlines and communication requirements.
Maintain communications documentation and materials, including messaging frameworks, briefings, presentations, talking points, fact sheets, newsletters, web and social media content, videos, and related materials.
Identify gaps, resolve routine barriers independently, and elevate material risks, conflicts, or decisions requiring Senior Strategist or leadership involvement.
Support community outreach, public engagement, education, advocacy, project meetings, open houses, and public events; prepare materials, coordinate logistics and stakeholder input, and participate in discussions using approved messaging.
Escalate matters presenting significant reputational, political, regulatory, or business risk.
Serve as backup to the Senior Public Affairs & Communications Strategist, providing continuity for priority communications, meetings, stakeholder updates, and time-sensitive issues within approved strategies and escalation protocols.
Coordinate with leadership, the board of directors, Dairyland Managers Association, member cooperatives, project partners, and other stakeholders to collect input, prepare updates, and support consistent understanding of approved plans.
Provide counsel on key matters in partnership with the Senior Public Affairs & Communications Strategist and in alignment with external project partners.
Build productive working relationships and influence across functions and organizations without direct authority.
Track workstreams, deliverables, approvals, stakeholder feedback, and results; evaluate communications effectiveness, recommend improvements, and support internal partners with messaging and documentation.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.