External Communications Director

RWE

4d•$179,000 - $225,000•Onsite

About The Position

As External Communications Director, you will lead the strategy, development, and execution of high-impact external communications that advance RWE’s enterprise reputation, advocacy goals, and public positioning. This role shapes the company’s voice across major campaigns, media engagement, thought leadership, and public-facing content. While deeply attuned to policy and legislative trends that affect the energy sector, this role drives storytelling, manages enterprise-level issues and opportunities, and partners with senior leadership to proactively elevate the company’s brand, expertise, and industry leadership. The Director works cross-functionally—collaborating with Communications, Government Relations, Policy, Regulatory, and business teams—to ensure cohesive, strategic, and compelling messaging across all external platforms. This is a senior individual contributor role. The position does not have direct people-management responsibilities. Success in this role is achieved through strategic leadership, subject matter expertise, and influence across cross-functional teams, agency partners, and senior stakeholders.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Government Affairs, or a related field
Minimum 10 years of experience in external communications, public relations, or public affairs
Exceptional storytelling and communications skills, with the ability to influence and inspire across all levels
Deep understanding of business priorities and engagement needs
Proven ability to manage multiple activities and stakeholders, with exceptional project management capabilities
Experience working in fast-paced, global or matrixed organizations
Exceptional writing and editing skills, with high attention to detail
Strong collaborator with exceptional stakeholder management, influencing, and relationship-building skills
Background in the renewable energy or broader energy sector preferred
Experience succeeding in a senior individual contributor role that requires influencing stakeholders, driving strategy, and leading cross-functional initiatives without direct reports
Experience directing and overseeing external PR agencies and consulting partners
Experience driving time-sensitive, cross-functional project campaigns
Strong time management skills with ability to multi-task across projects
Exceptional relationship-building skills, organizational awareness, and ability to persuade others to accomplish project objectives
A collaborative mindset, strong project management skills, and a keen eye for detail

Nice To Haves

Background in the renewable energy or broader energy sector preferred

Responsibilities

Develop and execute proactive storytelling and media relations strategies, identifying opportunities to position RWE as a credible voice on energy and innovation while building strong relationships with national and policy-focused reporters
Monitor legislative, regulatory, and policy developments, synthesizing trends into actionable insights that inform messaging, content development, and external engagement
Partner with Government Relations, Policy, Legal, and Regulatory teams to ensure external communications align with advocacy goals and accurately convey RWE’s positions on key issues
Work with the Senior Director, External Communications to help position the industry in a positive light through coalition-building and broader industry PR campaigns
Partner on the development of high-quality external content, including press releases, speeches, op-eds, policy statements, executive messaging, digital campaigns, and external-facing materials
Drive executive and company thought-leadership strategy by identifying key themes, speaking opportunities, platforms, and content that enhance visibility and influence
Serve as a key communications advisor on issues and reputation management creating rapid-response messaging, scenario materials, and external statements around influential policy and legislative shifts at the federal and state level
Coordinate and execute advocacy-focused and public-facing campaigns using data insights to shape messaging, target audiences, and measure impact
Collaborate across functions to ensure message consistency and cohesive enterprise storytelling
Manage agency partners and external vendors supporting media relations, public affairs and campaign delivery
Drive collection of data, metrics and insights to evaluate and report on activities and strategic effectiveness
Work closely with industry associations to which we belong to leverage our memberships to drive priority point of view, maximize tools and resources, deepen industry relationships, and increase industry influence and brand awareness
Proven ability to lead complex initiatives through influence rather than direct authority