Crisis Communications Specialist

Southern Company•Birmingham, AL

10d

About The Position

The Crisis Communications Specialist supports the development and execution of communication strategies that protect and enhance the company's reputation during crises, emergencies, and other high-profile issues, with an emphasis on Operations, including generation and transmission. As a member of the Operations Communications and system crisis communications teams, the specialist helps develop timely, accurate, and consistent communications for employees, customers, media, regulators, community leaders, and other stakeholders. The role also supports broader corporate communications efforts as assigned. The specialist applies strong writing and strategic thinking skills in a fast-paced environment, using sound judgment, attention to detail, and cross-functional collaboration to translate complex operational information into clear, audience-focused communications. The role requires crisis communications or emergency management communications experience and the ability to work outside normal business hours during emergencies and crisis events.

Requirements

Degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
Three or more years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, media relations, emergency management communications, or a related discipline.
Experience in crisis communications or emergency management communications.
Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
Experience managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately.
Demonstrated critical thinking, sound judgment, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work outside normal business hours during emergencies and crisis events.
Technology savvy, with Microsoft 365 applications or similar applications.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting utility, energy, infrastructure, government, or other highly regulated industries.
Experience with media monitoring, social listening, and reputation management tools.
Familiarity with digital communications platforms, web content management, and social media strategy.
Understanding of electric operations, including generation, transmission, and distribution.

Responsibilities

Support crisis communications planning, preparedness, and response activities.
Assist with activating and executing crisis communications plans during incidents and emergencies.
Develop and update media statements, talking points, FAQs, stakeholder communications, and other crisis-related materials.
Coordinate with operational, legal, regulatory, security, and executive leadership teams to help ensure communications are accurate and aligned.
Monitor evolving situations and recommend messaging, timing, and communication channels.
Help identify and address misinformation, rumors, and emerging reputation risks.
Support after-action reviews and incorporate lessons learned into future planning and preparedness efforts.
Research, write, edit, and proofread communications for internal and external audiences.
Develop communication strategies and plans addressing reputation-sensitive issues and business priorities.
Produce executive messages, employee communications, presentations, media materials, website content, and social media content.
Ensure content is clear, concise, audience-focused, and aligned with company and AP style standards.
Support media relations during crisis and non-crisis situations.
Help prepare company spokespersons and executives for media interviews and stakeholder engagements.
Coordinate communications with system communications partners and other stakeholders as needed.
Track media coverage and stakeholder sentiment and provide timely reports and insights to leadership.
Support the development and deployment of digital communications during incidents.
Create and update website content, email communications, and social media messaging.
Monitor digital channels for emerging issues, customer concerns, and misinformation.
Track communication performance metrics and recommend improvements.
Support Operations and corporate communications deliverables and contribute to communications strategy as assigned.
Participate in the design of tabletop exercises and take part in training, incident simulations, and exercises to continuously improve crisis communications capabilities.
Participate in and support lessons-learned reviews.
Develop and contribute to communications readiness assessments.
Contribute to department reporting and administration, tracking, and reporting.