Public Affairs Manager

NiSource • Warsaw, IN

1d • $96,600 - $144,900

About The Position

The Public Affairs Manager serves as NiSource's key community and media contact. This person engages in and manages an external and internal environment to support NiSource so that the company can realize its financial and non-financial business objectives in a consistent and seamless manner across the organization. The assigned territory includes Saint Joseph, Elkhart, LaGrange, Steuben, Marshall, Kosciusko, Noble, DeKalb, and Whitley counties.

Requirements

• 5+ years of public relations, communications, or related experience
• Identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships
• Developing and using collaborative relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of goals
• Taking prompt action to accomplish objectives; taking action to achieve goals beyond what is required; being proactive
• Obtaining information and identifying key issues and relationships relevant to long-range goals or vision; developing alternatives based on logical assumptions, facts, available resources, constraints, and organizational values
• Clearly conveying information and ideas in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand the message
• Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes and adjusting effectively to new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures
• Identifying and understanding issues, problems, and opportunities; comparing data from different sources, drawing conclusions, and developing appropriate solutions
• Actively participating as a member of a team to move the team toward the completion of goals
• Encouraging innovative approaches to addressing problems and opportunities; facilitating the implementation and acceptance of change
• Strong written, verbal, and social media communication skills
• Ability to deal with ambiguity and effectively manage multiple projects at one time
• Ability to establish credibility and support organizational priorities
• Ability to manage during an emergency situation
• Media relations
• Event planning
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States and must not require employer sponsorship now or in the future.
• Employees are expected to follow safety requirements, report hazards, and help maintain a safe environment for themselves and their coworkers.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Public Affairs or other related concentration
• Internal and/or external communications experience
• Utility or other regulated industry experience

Responsibilities

• Works with state leadership team to develop and implement a strategic, integrated public affairs and communications strategy.
• Generates positive media coverage on issues and initiatives, and through involvement/support of community activities.
• Employee engagement/communications support.
• Provides communications counsel across all organizational levels.
• Represents company, as appropriate, as a good corporate citizen through development of solid relationships with key stakeholders.
• Identify the need for develop and implement communication plans to address external and internal audiences, including strategies, timelines and vehicles.
• In concert with Operations management, develop and maintain positive relationships with key media and executive management to not only support operations, but to leverage their support in dealing with issues and incidents that may negatively impact the company.
• Coordinate and help to position the company as one that promotes safety, customer service and reliability.
• Coordination of media campaigns on issues as required; coordination of notification of actions to public and elected officials.
• Provides strategic external and internal communications support and counsel: facilitate effective relationships with key media; identify opportunities to favorably position market leaders; strategic support to effectively engage local advertising, sponsorships; crisis communications planning and execution.
• Bring best practice expertise regarding meeting planning and management, public speaking, coaching.
• Be knowledgeable and aware of all media outlets within your service territory, as well as issues within the company that may attract media attention.
• Generates positive media coverage on company initiatives, industry news, and other company activities.
• Represents NiSource on community boards.
• Implements local charitable giving programs.
• Plans and executes special events in support of community and NiSource initiatives.

Benefits

• As a public utility, NiSource provides essential services to customers 24/7. Emergency needs can arise at various times throughout the year, including during storm season. Employees may be required to support emergency response efforts, which could include working outside normal hours or assisting with tasks outside of typical responsibilities.

What This Job Offers

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