Communications & External Affairs*St. Louis or Kansas City - with regular travel across our markets as needed
What You'll DoMarket Execution & Crisis Response- Translate complex legislative and regulatory issues into compelling narratives that advance strategic objectives. Tailor communication strategies based on local political, regulatory, and community dynamics, ensuring messaging is properly localized while staying aligned to overall strategy
- Guide retained agencies, consultants and internal resources to coordinate messaging across owned, earned, and digital channels in key markets
- Mobilize and direct external consultants and internal resources to execute rapid-response communication plans when navigating political developments, regulatory hurdles, or localized community pushback
- Serve as the internal coordinator between Strategic Initiatives, Development, and Government Affairs with outside consultants executing external communications for high-profile real estate development projects
Strategic Direction & Implementation- Set the strategic vision and messaging strategy that supports market-specific objectives by guiding internal team members and work of external consultants, ensuring their output advances company priorities
- Establish clear KPIs, review deliverables, and hold outside firms accountable for quality, consistency, and impact
- Manage scopes of work, contracts, and budgets across multiple consultant relationships
- Direct development of speeches, op-eds, policy memos, grass-roots communication and presentations that position the company as a responsible industry leader and partner
Consultant Identification & Selection- Source, evaluate, and onboard outside strategic communications, public affairs, and PR consultants and agencies suited to the regulatory and political dynamics of each market
- Represent the company in relationships with retained firms, setting expectations from day one on quality, responsiveness, and fit with our culture
Who You Are- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Communications, Public Affairs, Political Science, or a related field
- 10-15+ years of experience in strategic communications, public affairs, or corporate communications, ideally with substantial experience directing outside agencies or consultants
- Demonstrated experience identifying, vetting, and managing a portfolio of external communications consultants or agencies across multiple markets or regions
- Experience in real estate development, energy/utility sectors, or highly regulated industries is strongly preferred
- Skilled in developing scopes of work, negotiating contracts, and managing consultant budgets and performance metrics
- Demonstrated ability to bring clarity to ambiguous political or regulatory situations and translate them into clear direction for outside partners
- High level of political savvy, maturity, and experience directing communications in crisis scenarios
- Exceptional judgment and editorial eye, with a track record of developing and reviewing a wide variety of public affairs, executive communication and grass-roots communications materials
- Ability to influence and manage relationships with a wide network of external partners, as well as internal stakeholders in a matrixed organization
- Ability to travel as required to support consultant oversight and business needs across our markets
