Advanced Communications Representative
Akron, OH, US, 44308
FirstEnergy at a Glance
We are a forward-thinking electric utility powered by a diverse team of employees committed to making customers’ lives brighter, the environment better and our communities stronger.
FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of more than 3,500 megawatts.
About the Opportunity
This is an open position with the FirstEnergy Service Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. [SC00]
The Advanced, Employee Communications Representative, is responsible for leading communications strategies and developing plans that support business goals, anticipate challenges, explore innovative solutions and deliver measurable results.
The ideal candidate will be a strong writer who understands the company’s core values and business goals, and has the ability to make key decisions and advise company leadership on communications strategies that positively impact those goals. This person supports key Operations initiatives by developing comprehensive communications plans and producing informative and engaging high-quality content for one or more of our internal communications channels. They make significant contributions and work collaboratively with peers to leverage content externally, as appropriate.
This position is preferably based at the Akron General Office however, could be located anywhere in the FirstEnergy service territory (OH, WV, PA, MD and NJ). The position can primarily be worked remotely/mobile. The ability to work remotely within the United States may be available based on business need. This option is not available in the states of California, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, New York, Oregon or Washington at this time.
Responsibilities include:
- Working independently or as part of a team to develop clear, consistent, and ongoing communications for business units to help increase employee engagement and understanding
- Providing strategic input to business unit leaders regarding employee communications, including messaging and selection of appropriate communications channels
- Developing and measuring engagement strategies to improve front-line communication effectiveness
- Fostering productive working relationships with business units and subject matter experts
- Proactively identifying issues before they occur and focus on finding an effective solution
- Writing, editing and helping to coordinate internal content, working with other team members to facilitate development and distribution of content to all relevant channels
- Providing, on occasion, after hours and weekend support for major events, including significant outages, storms and other crisis situations
Qualifications include:
- Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations or related discipline is required
- Minimum 7 years professional work experience required. Relevant work experience will include high-level communication skills and proven media relations experience.
- Energy industry experience helpful
- Ability to take technical information and make it understandable for a broader audience
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, Office 365, SharePoint)
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills with a demonstrated competency in writing clear, persuasive, informative and compelling copy
- Ability to engage with and influence senior executives and leadership teams
- Expert written and verbal communication skills and ability to guide development of compelling content and storytelling
- Experience working with tight deadlines, ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize work
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
- Ability to develop effective working relationships with employees at all levels within the organization
- Willingness to travel to other FirstEnergy locations, as needed, during crisis situations
Benefits, Compensation & Workforce Diversity
At FirstEnergy, employees are key to our success. We depend on their talents to meet the challenges of our changing business environment. We are committed to rewarding individual and team efforts through our total rewards philosophy which includes competitive pay plus incentive compensation, a company-sponsored pension plan, 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution, a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs, as well as skills development training with tuition reimbursement. Please visit our website at www.firstenergycorp.com to learn more about all of our employee rewards programs. FirstEnergy proudly supports workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. No recruiters or agencies without a previously signed contract. Unable to sponsor or transfer H-1B visas at this time.
Safety
Safety is a core value for FirstEnergy and is essential to all of our business activities. We ensure employees have the tools, information, and processes to perform their duties in a manner that assures safety for themselves, their co-workers, our customers and the public. Our goals are to provide a safe work environment, to maintain an accident-free, injury-free workplace, and to promote and maintain public safety. To meet these goals, we dedicate ourselves to achieving world-class safety standards.
Position Classification
Exempt
FirstEnergy Human Resources Team
Nearest Major Market: Akron
Nearest Secondary Market: Cleveland
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