Sr. Public Affairs & Communications Strategist (Hybrid - La Crosse, WI)

Dairyland Power Cooperative • La Crosse, WI

3d • $155,800 - $233,700 • Hybrid

About The Position

Dairyland is seeking a Sr. Public Affairs & Communications Strategist to provide enterprise-level strategic leadership for public affairs and communications for Dairyland’s pipeline project and other assigned high-profile initiatives. This senior individual contributor role involves independently developing and leading communications strategy, serving as the principal project media relations representative, advising executive leaders on media strategy and reputational risk, and directing coordinated issue response in high-profile and high-conflict settings. The position operates with substantial autonomy, is accountable for communications outcomes, and requires keeping project management and executive leadership informed of material developments and risks.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, journalism, marketing, public affairs, political science, business or related field.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public affairs, external affairs, stakeholder engagement, community relations and/or government relations.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic communications plans for large, complex or high-visibility initiatives, preferably including utility, infrastructure, energy, regulatory, permitting or major capital project work.
• Experience serving as a visible organizational representative in interviews, public meetings, stakeholder forums or other external-facing environments required.
• Utility industry knowledge required.
• Strong strategic public affairs and communications judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead communications for high-visibility, complex or controversial projects.
• Ability to serve as a credible, composed and professional public-facing representative.
• Excellent verbal, written, digital/social media and interpersonal communication skills, including highly proficient writing and editing using proper grammar, advanced composition techniques, journalistic standards and AP style.
• Ability to manage high-stakes discussions and difficult stakeholder interactions in a high-conflict environment.
• Strong organizational and execution skills necessary to manage complex communication workstreams, outreach plans, campaigns, external events, competing deadlines and cross-functional priorities with limited supervision.
• Ability to influence and coordinate work with a teamwork mindset across project management, leadership, technical teams, regulatory partners, government affairs, member cooperatives, external consultants and other stakeholders who may not report directly to the position.
• Ability to communicate utility- and cooperative-related issues and challenges to varied audiences.
• Goal-oriented self-starter with initiative, attention to detail and ability to work effectively with minimal supervision while managing shifting priorities, stressful situations and decisions under pressure.
• Proven safety-first leadership commitment to foster a culture of safety and excellence.
• Ability to quickly learn and follow Dairyland policies and procedures.

Nice To Haves

• Major project communications management experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develops, owns and leads the public affairs, communications and stakeholder engagement strategy for the pipeline project and other assigned high-profile initiatives, establishing strategic priorities, key messages, engagement plans, issue narratives and campaign approaches.
• Serves as the principal project media relations representative and lead public-facing spokesperson for assigned initiatives, representing Dairyland in sensitive interviews, public meetings, and other high-profile or high-conflict settings.
• Serves as a direct strategic advisor to the Director, CEO and other executive leaders on media strategy, reputational risk, stakeholder dynamics and significant public affairs issues.
• Exercises independent authority to make day-to-day communications decisions, adjust tactics, coordinate responses, approve routine project communications, and elevate matters with material implications for review.
• Leads communication planning and execution for public engagement, education, advocacy, community outreach, project-related meetings, open houses and public events, determining appropriate approaches in rapidly evolving or contentious situations.
• Directs cross-functional communications work and partners with external project partner communications and project management teams to align on and execute the established strategic direction.
• Selects, directs and evaluates external communications and public affairs consultants; manages assigned budgets and resources.
• Provides timely executive briefings, strategic updates, risk assessments and decision recommendations to project management, the Director, the CEO and other executive leaders.
• Maintains a dotted-line coordination relationship with the Communications Strategist to support information flow, execution and message consistency.
• Measures results and evaluates the effectiveness of communication and stakeholder engagement strategies, tactics and materials, tracking metrics and recommending adjustments.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health & disability benefits (medical, dental, vision, short & long-term disability)
• Life insurance
• Generous 401(k) and Pension Plans
• Paid Time Off
• Robust Wellness Program
• New Flexible Work Program
• Tuition Reimbursement

What This Job Offers

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