Sr External Communications Manager

Rückbauanlage Gundremmingen • Chicago, IL

2d • $138,000 - $188,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior External Communications Manager serves as a key leader within RWE America’s Corporate Communications team, responsible for shaping, elevating, and protecting the company’s external reputation across national, regional, and trade audiences. This role combines strategic counsel with hands‑on content development and media engagement, advancing the company’s corporate narrative and message architecture while identifying opportunities to strengthen RWE’s voice in the evolving energy landscape. The Senior Manager partners closely with executives, subject‑matter experts, and business units to ensure consistent, proactive, and credible external communications that support enterprise goals.

Requirements

• Relevant degree in Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations or Communications preferred
• Minimum 7 years of relevant corporate communications experience; experience working in the energy industry preferred
• Strong strategic communications skills with the ability to shape and steward a compelling corporate narrative
• Excellent writing and storytelling abilities, including experience crafting high‑impact external content for executives and media
• Proven media relations expertise and relationships, including managing national and trade reporters and navigating fast‑moving news cycles
• Skilled in crisis and issues management with sound judgment and the ability to respond quickly and accurately under pressure.
• Ability to translate complex business topics into clear, accessible messaging for diverse audiences
• Strong cross‑functional collaboration skills; able to partner effectively with leaders across Communications, Policy, GR, Legal, and business units
• High level of professional presence with the ability to counsel senior leaders and provide confident, actionable recommendations
• Excellent project management, prioritization, and organizational skills
• Ability to pivot quickly and work in an international, fast-paced, heavy deadline driven work environment
• Willingness to travel (up to 20%)
• This position is an office-based role with some travel and visits to other RWE offices and field locations
• Must be able to sit, walk, or stand for long durations of time
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Relevant degree in Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations or Communications preferred
• Minimum 7 years of relevant corporate communications experience; experience working in the energy industry preferred
• experience working in the energy industry preferred

Responsibilities

• Support development and refinement of narrative, message house, and core positioning, ensuring alignment across the business and in line with RWE's communication strategy
• Serve as strategic communications advisor to executives and cross‑functional leaders, providing counsel on messaging, reputational risks, external visibility, and media strategy
• Lead national, regional, and trade media relations—building and maintaining strong relationships with top‑tier reporters, editors, producers, and sector‑focused journalists
• Develop and implement proactive media relations strategies that elevate the corporate story, promote company milestones, and position RWE experts as credible industry voices
• Draft high‑quality external content including press releases, talking points, op‑eds, bylines, Q&A, media statements, executive remarks, and briefing materials
• Support crisis and issues‑management communications, including scenario planning, aligned messaging, and materials development
• Monitor emerging issues, sector developments, and competitive dynamics in the energy industry, translating insights into communications strategies and external messaging opportunities
• Support external communications planning for major corporate campaigns, announcements, partnerships, and strategic initiatives
• Proactively identify emerging risks, opportunities, and communication needs, ensuring leadership is prepared with timely and effective messaging
• Manage external agencies, PR firms, and other communication partners to ensure cohesive execution and alignment with RWE’s strategy, standards, and brand identity
• Prepare and coordinate media training, briefing materials, and coaching for executives and subject matter experts ahead of interviews, panels, and public engagements
• Track and report on media performance, sentiment, reach, and reputational indicators to guide continuous improvement of messaging, campaign planning, and visibility efforts

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Short-Term Disability
• Long-Term Disability
• 401(k) match
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• EAP
• Education Assistance
• Parental Leave
• Paid time off
• Holidays
• Eligible employees also participate in short-term incentives, in addition to salary.

What This Job Offers

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