Summary

The Communications Insights/Strategy Consultant Senior drives strategic communications insights by transforming complex data, emerging trends, and external intelligence into clear, actionable recommendations that support executive decision-making and organizational planning. Strengthens the External Communications function through market intelligence, stakeholder analysis, media monitoring, and AI-driven insights, helping position the team as a trusted advisor and strategic partner across the organization.

Leads the evolution of communications measurement by shifting from activity-based reporting to outcome-focused performance metrics. Monitors and evaluates APS's presence across artificial intelligence (AI) platforms and large language models (LLMs), providing recommendations that enhance corporate reputation, stakeholder engagement, and the effectiveness of external communication strategies.

Minimum Requirements

• A four-year Bachelors degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, Data Analytics or other job-related field from an accredited college or university plus ten (10) years of progressive experience in external communications, public relations, media analytics and insights, either working at a corporation or Public Relations agency.
• Applied use of AI tools, large language models (LLMs) and emerging technologies for communications insights, sentiment analysis or narrative monitoring.
  Preferred Special Skills, Knowledge or Qualifications:
• Experience designing or evolving communications measurement strategies aligned to business outcomes and assessing reputational risk, media narratives or stakeholder sentiment across digital platforms and AI-driven information ecosystems.
• Strong storytelling executive communication skills including experience translating complex data and presenting clear insights and recommendations to colleagues and senior leaders.
• Advanced degree in Communications, Business or Data Analytics.

Major Accountabilities

1) Leads the development and ongoing advancement of communications capabilities by synthesizing complex data, audience intelligence and external risks into clear, actionable insights. Monitors and analyzes market trends, stakeholder sentiment, media narratives and emerging external factors to inform communication strategies and executive decision-making.

2) Designs and implements communications measurement frameworks that define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) aligned to business and reputation outcomes including message effectiveness, narrative influence and stakeholder perception--rather than volume-based outputs. Establishes standards for consistent measurement and reporting, enabling the translation of communications activities into demonstrated business impact.

3) Advances the use of AI, analytics platforms and emerging technologies to strengthen insights generation, monitoring and predictive analysis. Evaluates and integrates new tools that enhance the organizations ability to identify trends, assess narrative dynamics and understand APS's viability and presence across AI-driven platforms and large language models.

4) Partners with communications colleagues and external vendors to identify and assess reputational risks, narrative vulnerabilities and external opportunities that may influence organizational positioning. Leads the development of proactive strategies and action plans to address risks and strengthen stakeholder trust and the effectiveness of mitigation and reputation-building efforts.

5) Works cross-functionally within External Communications and with key business partners to integrate insights into planning and decision-making. Provides data-driven insight and counsel to communications leaders and stakeholders to inform messaging, positioning and stakeholder engagement strategies. Manages relationships with select external vendors to deliver high-quality insights and analytics support.

6) Strengthens organizational capability in data-driven and AI-enabled communications by driving adoption of tools, evolving workflows and supporting training across the communications function, enabling more consistent and effective use of insights, measurement and emerging technologies.

Hybrid: Employees in hybrid roles work both in their home offices (virtually) and alongside their colleagues (in person).

In order for employees to build strong relationships and to promote meaningful in-person interactions, hybrid employees are expected to work about 40% of their time in-person at an APS or other (non-home office) location.

• Employees are expected to reside in Arizona (or New Mexico for Four Corners-based employees).
• Working from a home office requires adequate technology and an appropriate ergonomic set up.
• Role types are subject to change based on business need.