Job Purpose

The position leads a wide range of services and support for the Strategic Communications function in NYC, specifically the company's service area in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island, in close coordination with the company's Long Island Office. National Grid's NY External Communications is responsible for advancing and protecting the company's reputation across New York and beyond. This team communicates National Grid's story as a leader in safe, reliable energy and a company that is committed to affordable service and community support. The individual in this position will develop and manage external communications strategies, plans, policies, and projects under the direction of the Director of Strategic Communications, that advance and protect National Grid's reputation. Responsibilities include managing media relations; helping to lead crisis/emergency communications (including On Call after hours rotation); collaboration with social media, brand/marketing, customer communications, and NYC Regional Director teams; staffing executive speaking engagements; and identifying, creating and delivering key messaging to external audiences through a variety of traditional and digital communications channels.

Key Accountabilities
• Develop and implement strategic and tactical communications plans and events to support local, regional and national company business strategy.
• Represent the company as a media spokesperson regionally on a wide range of issues and subjects.
• Direct and active participation in all aspects of emergency communications planning and response.
• Support relevant communications efforts/needs, including media training for subject matter experts leaders of the New York business as required.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with key media outlets and internal stakeholders across our various business functions, to provide timely information about the company's operations and programs and directly pitch and place stories in NYC media market.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with communications teams at key NYC agencies, organizations, and nonprofits.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve end-to-end processes and procedures to streamline and improve the delivery of all communications to target audiences.
• Build strong narratives and communications that resonate with stakeholders, thought leaders, influencers, policymakers, investors, customers, communities, media and others.
• Drive awareness of initiatives, programs and events designed to improve brand affinity and perception of National Grid.
• Staff NY President and other key leadership at press events, including emergency scenes, press conferences, and more.
• Maintain records and measure value of key communications activities. Ensure alignment to function's objectives.

Qualifications
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in communications environment with direct experience in communications, public relations/public affairs outreach, writing, journalism and or editing
• Bachelor's Degree required in communications, journalism or related field, or comparable experience preferred
• Extensive knowledge of New York Metro area news media and government, with existing key relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to write clearly and concisely for both internal and external audiences, including (but not limited to) news releases, media advisories, fact sheets, white papers, executive speeches, presentations, blogs, social media, etc. Writing samples must be provided.
• Excellent track record of delivery and performance - a self-starter. Confident, independent individual with the ability to work to tight deadline.
• Periodic travel required, primarily to other NYC and Long Island company locations, with occasional travel to National Grid's upstate N.Y. and New England offices.

More Information

Salary

$140k - $170k a year in Brooklyn, NY

National Grid will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. You must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.

National Grid utilizes an assessment that evaluates the job qualifications/characteristics using AI or statistically based scoring. For more information, please view NYC Local Law 144.

This position has a career path which provides for advancement opportunities within and across bands as you develop and evolve in the position; gaining experience, expertise and acquiring and applying technical skills. Candidates will be assessed and provided offers against the minimum qualifications of this role and their individual experience.