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

Hiring Salary Range: $155,800 - $233,700

Compensation is determined by a combination of factors, including but not limited to education, work experience, and certifications. The actual offer may vary, reflecting the candidate's unique blend of experience, educational background, and skill level

PURPOSE: Provides enterprise-level strategic leadership for public affairs and communications for Dairyland's pipeline project and other assigned high-profile initiatives. As a senior individual contributor, this role independently develops, owns and leads communications strategy; serves as the principal project media relations representative; advises the Director, CEO and other executive leaders on media strategy, reputational risk and significant stakeholder issues; and directs coordinated issue response in high-profile and high-conflict settings. The position operates with substantial autonomy within established approval and escalation protocols, remains accountable for communications outcomes and keeps project management and executive leadership timely informed of material developments, risks and decisions.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Develops, owns and leads the public affairs, communications and stakeholder engagement strategy for the pipeline project and other assigned high-profile initiatives. Establishes strategic priorities, key messages, engagement plans, issue narratives and campaign approaches based on project objectives, regulatory and permitting considerations, stakeholder insights, research, analytics and approved business strategy, and remains accountable for communications outcomes.
• Serves as the principal project media relations representative and lead public-facing spokesperson for assigned initiatives. Represents Dairyland in sensitive interviews, public meetings, open houses, challenging stakeholder forums and other high-profile or high-conflict settings; maintains message discipline; responds to difficult questions; and leads coordinated issue response within approved messaging and established escalation protocols.
• 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. Anticipates emerging concerns and opposition, assesses potential enterprise and project impact, and provides clear recommendations to protect Dairyland's reputation, public trust and project viability.
• Exercises independent authority to make day-to-day communications decisions, adjust tactics, coordinate responses, approve routine project communications within established strategy and messaging, and elevate matters with material legal, regulatory, reputational, financial or enterprise implications for Director, executive or Legal review. Operates autonomously while promptly keeping project management and executive leadership informed of significant developments, risks, decisions and outcomes.
• Leads communication planning and execution for public engagement, education, advocacy, community outreach, project-related meetings, open houses and public events. Determines the appropriate communications approach in rapidly evolving or contentious situations, facilitates stakeholder discussions, de-escalates challenging interactions and directs issue response when stakeholder concerns, misinformation, media attention or public opposition present significant reputational, political, regulatory or business risk.
• Directs cross-functional communications work and partners with external project partner communications and project management teams, as well as the internal project management team, to align on and execute the established strategic direction, ensuring consistent messaging and timely execution across government affairs, regulatory affairs, real estate, grants, permitting/routing, technical teams, member services and other internal and external partners. Selects, directs and evaluates external communications and public affairs consultants; manages assigned budgets and resources where applicable; and holds contributors accountable for deliverables and results without direct supervisory responsibility.
• 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 while retaining strategic ownership and decision accountability for assigned project communications.
• Measures results and evaluates the effectiveness of communication and stakeholder engagement strategies, tactics and materials. Tracks communication metrics, monitors stakeholder feedback and recommends adjustments to strengthen outreach, message awareness, stakeholder understanding, relationship-building and project support.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, journalism, marketing, public affairs, political science, business or related field with minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public affairs, external affairs, stakeholder engagement, community relations and/or government relations. Must have 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; major project communications management experience preferred.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Strong strategic public affairs and communications judgment, including the ability to assess project, political, regulatory, reputational and stakeholder issues and translate them into clear communication strategies and actionable plans.
• Demonstrated ability to lead communications for high-visibility, complex or controversial projects, including public outreach, education, engagement, issue management and message discipline across multiple audiences.
• Ability to serve as a credible, composed and professional public-facing representative in interviews, public meetings, stakeholder conversations and challenging external forums while operating within approved messaging, leadership direction and escalation protocols.
• 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; remain composed, listen actively, communicate clearly, de-escalate conflict and protect Dairyland Power Cooperative's relationships, reputation and project objectives.
• 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, including leadership, internal partners, member cooperatives, regional stakeholders, media contacts and the public.
• 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, with ability to quickly learn and follow Dairyland policies and procedures.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand/sit; walk; use hands/fingers to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

BENEFITS:

We are committed to providing our greatest asset, our People, with as many perks and benefits as possible. Some benefits of working with us include:

• 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
• So much more!