Sr External Communications Manager

RWE

$138K — $188K *
Energy & Utilities
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Relevant degree in Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations or Communications preferred
  • Minimum 7 years of corporate communications experience, preferably in the energy sector
  • Strong strategic communication skills for shaping corporate narratives
  • Excellent writing and storytelling abilities for high-impact external content
  • Proven media relations expertise with national and trade reporters
  • Skilled in crisis management and quick response under pressure
  • Ability to simplify complex business topics for diverse audiences

Responsibilities

  • Support development of corporate messaging and narrative alignment
  • Serve as communications advisor to executives and cross-functional leaders
  • Lead media relations and build relationships with top-tier journalists
  • Develop strategies to elevate corporate stories and milestones
  • Draft external content, including press releases and executive remarks
  • Manage crisis communications and aligned messaging efforts
  • Monitor industry issues and translate insights into communication strategies
  • Support planning for major campaigns and strategic initiatives
  • Identify emerging risks and communication needs for leadership
  • Manage PR firms and external partners for cohesive execution
  • Prepare media training and materials for executives
  • Track media performance and sentiment to inform strategies

Benefits

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
  • Life Insurance and Short-Term/Long-Term Disability
  • 401(k) match and Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Education Assistance and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Parental Leave and Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Holidays and eligibility for short-term incentives
Full Job Description
RWE Americas, LLC
To start as soon as possible, full time, permanent

Functional area: Communications
Remuneration: Exempt

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.

Role 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


Job Requirements and Experiences:
  • 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.

Pay range: The annual base salary range for this position in Illinois & Washington D.C. is$138,000- $188,000. The listed salary range represents our good faith estimate for this position and represents the range for new hire salaries across all U.S locations. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. RWE considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's education & work experience, training & certifications, and key skills as well as market and business considerations at the time of the offer.

Benefits offered: 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, and Holidays. Eligible employees also participate in short-term incentives, in addition to salary.

Apply with just a few clicks: ad code 92078. Any questions? Contact HR: [email protected]

We look forward to meeting you. Of course, you can find us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Xing, too.

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