Communications Program Manager

Non-Union Position
Communications Staff; Portland, Oregon (US-OR)

Hybrid schedule available for Oregon & Washington residents.
Regular FT, Exempt
Posting # 5564

NOTE:

Employees based at our Headquarters are required to work on-site a minimum of two days per week. Specific in-office days may vary by team and business needs. This hybrid schedule supports collaboration, connection, and engagement while also offering flexibility for remote work.

The Role:

The Communications Program Manager leads communication strategies for major projects, guiding stakeholder engagement, community outreach and issue management from planning through delivery. This role partners across teams to assess risks, develop messaging and outreach plans, and ensure activities align with company values, regulatory requirements and project goals while building trust with customers and communities.

Day to Day:

• Partner with project teams and internal groups such as Regulatory Affairs, Legal, Engineering and Community Relations to align communications with project goals.
• Conduct situational analyses early in the project lifecycle to identify risks, concerns and engagement needs.
• Develop and execute messaging, outreach and participation plans for customers, communities and stakeholders.
• Create communications materials such as fact sheets, presentations, talking points, FAQs and outreach updates.
• Manage media relations, including responding to inquiries and supporting proactive outreach tied to projects or initiatives.
• Oversee external contractors, budgets and community investment activities that support engagement efforts.
• Track feedback, monitor issues and adjust communication strategies to meet regulatory requirements and project needs.

Come on your first day with:

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, English, Public Relations, Communications or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of 8+ years of experience in corporate communications environment or public relations agency.
• Proven experience with corporate reputation management and stakeholder engagement.
• Proven ability to work on a highly collaborative, client-service oriented team, and coordinate responsibilities openly with others within the organization.
• Experience in issues management, media relations, crisis communications required.
• Proven ability to gain trust quickly and to maintain confidentiality and credibility within the company and when dealing with the media.
• Experience in the energy sector and public policymaking a plus.
• Proven experience working with digital mediums and online community engagement.
• Requires excellent writing and presentation skills.
• Experience in planning and implementing communications plans and projects; track record of meeting deadlines; ability to juggle multiple topics and projects at once; and increasing responsibility.
• Must be self-directed, team focused and results oriented.
• Experience in the Incident Command System, or willingness to be trained/certified.
• Requires PowerPoint skills, as well as other digital platforms and project management tools.

What we offer:

Health & Wellness -

• Rich health insurance benefits with competitive employer contribution
• Free access to an online wellness resources platform

Work Life Balance -

• Up to 23 Vacation Days
• 80 Hours of Sick Time
• 10 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays
• Flexible work arrangements
• 3 weeks paid parental leave
• Be part of a workplace where your voice matters. Engage with our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council, and a variety of Employee Resource Groups that support community and growth.
• 1500 sq foot exercise facility and secure bike room

Financial -

• Meaningful annual incentive bonus opportunity in addition to base salary
• Competitive 401K company contribution and match
• 15% discount on NW Natural stock through Employee Stock Purchase Program
• Up to $5250 a year in tuition reimbursement
• Wellness incentive program

Discounts -

• 20% off natural gas service
• Up to 30% discount at NW Natural Appliance Center
• TriMet Pass for all HQ employees
• Generous discounts with Verizon & AT&T Wireless

Base salary range: $98,450.00 - $140,300.00 per year, depending on qualifications

Annual Target Incentive: Grade 21, 9.5% target
Targets are calculated using eligible earnings during plan year participation. Payout, if earned, is based on company and individual performance for each plan year and may range from 0% - 200% of target. Targets are subject to change in subsequent plan years. Must be employed by September 30 in order to receive any prorated payout.

Application Process: To be considered for this position, submit a complete electronic application including cover letter and resume via our website.

https://www.nwnatural.com/about-us/the-company/careers

Deadline:7/7/26