Director, Project & Operations Communications

RWE•Austin, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director, Project and Operations Communications is responsible for leading the strategic direction, execution, and continuous improvement of all communications that support RWE America’s development, permitting, construction, and operational activities nationally. This role oversees a team of regional communications managers as part of a regionally-matrixed Corporate Affairs team and serves as a senior advisor to regional leadership. The role will also have a portfolio overseeing regional communications for the East Region, where they will lead and execute integrated communications strategies that support business priorities, and protect and grow the social license to operate. As a senior member of the Communications leadership team, the Director works in close collaboration with Stakeholder Engagement, Government Affairs, Development, Operations, and executive leadership to safeguard and strengthen RWE’s reputation, advance business priorities, and enable successful project outcomes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Government Affairs, or a related field
A minimum of 10 years of experience in external communications, public relations, or public affairs, with regional experience preferred
Significant experience in energy, infrastructure, or similarly complex regulated industries
Demonstrated experience managing and growing a team
Proven track record advising executives and navigating high-stakes reputational issues
Proven ability to manage large portfolios and multiple stakeholders, with exceptional project management capabilities
Visionary strategic communicator with strong executive presence
Deep expertise in issues management
Exceptional writing, messaging, and public positioning capabilities
Skilled at influencing senior leaders and cross-functional partners
Strong command of digital strategy, analytics, and modern tools
Experience managing multiple local and diverse firms
Experience driving time-sensitive, cross-functional project campaigns
A collaborative leader with strong stakeholder and relationship-building skills
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. RWE Americas is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time.

Responsibilities

Create and oversee the execution of a comprehensive, multi‑year regional communications strategy that supports the full lifecycle of energy projects
Serve as strategic communications advisor to executive leadership, especially regional development and operations leadership, counseling on reputational risks, emerging issues, and communications challenges affecting projects or regional operations
Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 3 regional communications leaders responsible for project‑level communications across the country
Establish regional communications priorities, performance metrics, and governance structures to ensure message discipline and communications excellence across all projects that align with national and corporate objectives
Foster a culture of proactive planning, transparent communication, accountability, and continuous improvement within the team
Ensure regional communications strategies align with corporate communications, public affairs, and policy priorities by translating national messaging frameworks into regionally relevant plans and maintaining consistent messaging across all project touchpoints
Lead high-level issues management, risk mitigation, rapid response, and crisis communications planning across regions, and ensure coordinated cross-functional alignment
Oversee regional media relations and serve as spokesperson when needed for major announcements; prepare executives for public engagements and approve external statements, briefing documents, and press materials
Lead visibility campaigns that strengthen RWE’s presence, credibility, and overall reputation in the East region
Work closely with Stakeholder Engagement, Government Affairs, and Development leadership to ensure message discipline and aligned strategies across all external touchpoints
Oversee creation of high-quality community-facing materials, including stakeholder updates, digital content, project collateral, and presentations
Direct regionally tailored digital strategies, including social media, online engagement, and analytics-driven optimizations
Oversees measurement frameworks for communications performance, ensuring analytics, sentiment tracking, and digital insights inform regional and national strategy