Dir Communications

Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy knows job number one is to keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship, e.g., H-1B, TN, etc. Please do not apply if you will need immigration sponsorship for a work visa now or in the future, including sponsorship for H-1B, TN, etc., now or in the future. We are unable to hire individuals with CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT for this position as the position is not eligible for participation in the H-1B lottery program and is not eligible for current or future immigration sponsorship for a work visa.

Location: This is a hybrid (virtual/onsite) position with required onsite days on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday assigned to One Energy Plaza located in Jackson, MI.  The selected candidate must be within a commutable distance or willing to relocate (relocation package is available for those that qualify). 

GENERAL SUMMARY OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
The Director of Communications will oversee a broad and diverse range of business and marketing communications related to external public relations, media relations, issues management, and crisis response, with the goal of driving positive consumer reputation results.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Other non-essential duties as assigned or as necessary.
• Develop, implement, and adhere to the communications budget. Develop, compose, distribute, and implement policies to enhance the efficiency of the Communications Department and further support the development and maintenance of a positive corporate brand.
• Track and monitor the effectiveness of communications efforts to ensure continual process improvement.
• Confer with subject matter experts in various internal departments and external stakeholders to determine appropriate internal and external communications for each situation. Formulate positions and strategies pertaining to the execution of communications.
• Drive brand consistency across various elements, including messaging, tone, creative assets, and storytelling.
• Assist senior leaders in developing presentations, speeches, and other important corporate messages. Provide recommendations regarding graphics, clarity, distribution, and press releases to the Finance and Accounting Departments for preparation of the corporation's annual report.
• Partner with the People & Culture team to ensure consistency between internal and external communications, fostering greater employee engagement and passion for the brand.
• Deliver engaging, unique, and purposeful content in various formats across multiple channels. Develop and manage a communications and social media calendar and ensure timely execution.
• Serve as a communications advisor to senior leadership, ensuring leaders and their teams advance the company's narrative and reputation. Act as a strategic partner to the leadership team on communications strategies and recommendations for best practices.
• Develop a crisis response communications preparedness plan. Manage critical business issues, mitigate risks, and provide guidance to protect the brand.
• Develop a proactive communications strategy that builds and maintains a positive corporate brand, driving key narratives among the media and other key audiences.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Leadership acumen.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Strong organizational skills with a high attention to detail.
• Ability to write in a journalistic style customary for corporate and external publications.
• Ability to provide sound media relations advice to senior leadership.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with corporate management, employees, media representatives, and the broader community.
• Ability to coordinate the efforts of various teams to present a cohesive and consistent message.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field, with ten (10) or more years of experience in public relations, including supervisory and comprehensive marketing experience (Required).

OR Associate degree with twelve (12) or more years of experience in public relations, including supervisory and comprehensive marketing experience (Required).

OR High school diploma/GED with fourteen (14) or more years of experience in public relations, including supervisory and comprehensive marketing experience (Required).

Why should you join our team?

At Consumers Energy, we offer more than just a place to work. We foster a culture that supports career development, growth, and stability, and we take pride in offering our co-workers excellent benefits and compensation packages. We are deliberately creating an inclusive culture that makes our diverse team of co-workers feel valued, supported, and empowered every day. We're a company made up of thousands of people, all with different stories to share and work to do, but we stand united in our company purpose: world class performance delivering hometown service.

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation packages
• Medical, Dental and Vision
• 401k with company match
• Paid parental leave
• Up to 13 paid Holidays
• Paid time off
• Educational Assistance Program

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

We, at CMS Energy, value Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. It is part of our DNA. We treat our employees with respect, we treat each other fairly and we value the opinions of others. We are passionate about building and nurturing an environment where everyone feels included. We don’t discriminate. We seek to learn about each other and better understand our unique differences. Our uniqueness makes us authentic. We create safe spaces where everyone can be who they truly are. We invite difficult conversations and uncomfortable topics. We value diverse perspectives; this is what makes us great together. We harbor an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to share their backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. Our Employee Resource Groups, Women in Energy (WE), Minority Advisory Panel (MAP), Pride Alliance of Consumers Energy (PACE), GENERGY (Different Generations), capable (Different Abilities), Interfaith, People Planet Partners, and Veterans Advisory Panel (VAP) are key enablers to living the values of our company culture: Caring, Empowered, Deliberate, Agility, and Ownership.

All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.