Senior Manager, Operations Communications - Xcel Energy

Are you looking for an exciting job where you can put your skills and talents to work at a company you can feel proud to be a part of? Do you want a workplace that will challenge you and offer you opportunities to learn and grow? Aposition at Xcel Energy could be just what youre looking for.

Position Summary

Inspire and lead impactful internal and external communications for Xcel Energys Operations business units, addressing operational, jurisdictional and regulatory issues, state and local government affairs, policy issues, and employee engagement. Manage a team, as part of the larger communications function, in working with business unit executive leadership in a primary support relationship. Anticipate issues and seek proactive opportunities to encourage employee and public understanding of company positions. Create and manage strategic communications and public relations plans to support companys business, brand and policy objectives. Consistently advance Xcel Energy messaging and positive brand reputation through effective communications planning. Partner with other communications leaders to ensure that best practices, experiences, and knowledge are captured and applied in all deliverables.

Essential Responsibilities

• This role will support the Operations business units (e.g. power generation, distribution, transmission, natural gas systems) with a particular focus on enterprise priority issue management, including wildfire preparedness, natural gas delivery, transportation and safety more.
• The primary focus is coordinating and aligning external communications activities, including with customers, regulatory agencies, emergency response organizations and other stakeholder.
• Position includes playing a role in emergency response and crisis communications, as well as some on-call and after-hours responsibilities.
• Desirable traits include knowledge of generation, transmission and field operations issues; familiarity with environmental issues as they relate to the utility industry; experience with employee engagement and change management; experience in an industrial, first responder/emergency response or military setting; experience maintaining and developing business systems and adoption of new technology (especially SharePoint and the Microsoft 365 platform).
• Manage a team of communication professionals, contractors and vendor-partners. Create performance metrics, track performance, and provide feedback to staff to ensure internal client satisfaction.
• Develop communications and public relations plans and strategies for internal and external audiences. Proactively anticipate and research issues related to areas such as state and local government affairs, regulatory filings, grassroots and political action activities, public affairs, and economic development. Provide strategic communications counsel and recommendations to jurisdictional leaders on potential and emerging issues facing the company.
• Track and monitor communication improvements/advancements throughout the industry. Bring best practices, including relevant new communications technologies, channels, and tools to Xcel Energy and ensure staff familiarity with them. Provide professional development opportunities to enhance employee skills and knowledge.
• Serve as a resource to staff and teams whose work is significantly relevant to the jurisdiction; works in close coordination with other communications professionals to create alignment of efforts. Understand and sponsor the Xcel Energy brand and ensure adherence to brand standards. Demonstrate behaviors based upon corporate values; assist staff to embrace values as well.
• May require after-hours support of crisis communications needs, including participation in the on-call rotation.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations or related field.
• Ten years of content and communication strategy development and execution, including 3 years in a leadership or managerial role.
• Experience in communications with demonstrated ability to deliver effective and strategic messages to audiences ranging from front line employees to senior executives.
• Proven leadership to conceptual thinking, creativity and innovation; ability to influence others.
• Passionate about collaboration and have experience working across marketing/communications channels.
• Ability to operate in a fast-moving environment and present/sell your work well.
• Experience managing external agencies and a department budget.
• Team player who enjoys collaborating with a high performing group.

As a leading combination electricity and natural gas energy company, Xcel Energy offers a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity and 1.9 million natural gas customers across eight Western and Midwestern states. At Xcel Energy, we strive to be the preferred and trusted provider of the energy our customers need. If youre ready to be a part of something big, we invite you to join our team.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Individuals with a disability who need an accommodation to apply please contact us at recruiting@xcelenergy.com.

Non-Bargaining

The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $105,600.00 to $150,000.00 per year

This position is eligible for the following benefits: Annual Incentive Program, Medical/Pharmacy Plan, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Care Reimbursement Account, Health Care Reimbursement Account, Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA), Transportation Reimbursement Account, Short-term disability (STD), Long-term disability (LTD), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Tuition reimbursement, Transit programs, Employee recognition program, Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays, Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO), Parental Leave

Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.

Deadline to Apply: 10/31/24

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ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT
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