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Sr External Communications Manager (Chicago, IL, US, 60654) @ RWE

Chicago, IL, US, 60654OnsiteFull-time
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<p><br><strong>RWE Americas, LLC</strong><br><strong>To start as soon as possible, full time, permanent</strong><br><br><strong>Functional area:</strong> Communications<br><strong>Remuneration: </strong>Exempt</p> <p> </p><p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">The <strong>Senior External Communications Manager </strong>serves as a key leader within RWE America’s Corporate Communications team, responsible for shaping, elevating, and protecting the company’s external reputation across national, regional, and trade audiences. This role combines strategic counsel with hands‑on content development and media engagement, advancing the company’s corporate narrative and message architecture while identifying opportunities to strengthen RWE’s voice in the evolving energy landscape. The Senior Manager partners closely with executives, subject‑matter experts, and business units to ensure consistent, proactive, and credible external communications that support enterprise goals.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><strong>Role Responsibilities: </strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Support development and refinement of narrative, message house, and core positioning, ensuring alignment across the business and in line with RWE&apos;s communication strategy</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Serve as strategic communications advisor to executives and cross‑functional leaders, providing counsel on messaging, reputational risks, external visibility, and media strategy</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Lead national, regional, and trade media relations—building and maintaining strong relationships with top‑tier reporters, editors, producers, and sector‑focused journalists</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Develop and implement proactive media relations strategies that elevate the corporate story, promote company milestones, and position RWE experts as credible industry voices</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Draft high‑quality external content including press releases, talking points, op‑eds, bylines, Q&amp;A, media statements, executive remarks, and briefing materials</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Support crisis and issues‑management communications, including scenario planning, aligned messaging, and materials development</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Monitor emerging issues, sector developments, and competitive dynamics in the energy industry, translating insights into communications strategies and external messaging opportunities</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Support external communications planning for major corporate campaigns, announcements, partnerships, and strategic initiatives</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Proactively identify emerging risks, opportunities, and communication needs, ensuring leadership is prepared with timely and effective messaging</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Manage external agencies, PR firms, and other communication partners to ensure cohesive execution and alignment with RWE’s strategy, standards, and brand identity</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Prepare and coordinate media training, briefing materials, and coaching for executives and subject matter experts ahead of interviews, panels, and public engagements</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Track and report on media performance, sentiment, reach, and reputational indicators to guide continuous improvement of messaging, campaign planning, and visibility efforts</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><strong>Job Requirements and Experiences:</strong> </span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Relevant degree in Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations or Communications preferred</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Minimum 7 years of relevant corporate communications experience; experience working in the energy industry preferred</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Strong strategic communications skills with the ability to shape and steward a compelling corporate narrative</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Excellent writing and storytelling abilities, including experience crafting high‑impact external content for executives and media</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Proven media relations expertise and relationships, including managing national and trade reporters and navigating fast‑moving news cycles</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Skilled in crisis and issues management with sound judgment and the ability to respond quickly and accurately under pressure.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Ability to translate complex business topics into clear, accessible messaging for diverse audiences</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Strong cross‑functional collaboration skills; able to partner effectively with leaders across Communications, Policy, GR, Legal, and business units</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">High level of professional presence with the ability to counsel senior leaders and provide confident, actionable recommendations</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Excellent project management, prioritization, and organizational skills</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Ability to pivot quickly and work in an international, fast-paced, heavy deadline driven work environment</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Willingness to travel (up to 20%)</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">This position is an office-based role with some travel and visits to other RWE offices and field locations</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Must be able to sit, walk, or stand for long durations of time</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><em>Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. RWE Americas is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time.</em> </span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p><p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><strong>Pay range: </strong>The annual base salary range for this position in <span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Illinois &amp; Washington D.C. is<strong> </strong>$138,000- $188,000</span>. The listed salary range represents our good faith estimate for this position and represents the range for new hire salaries across all U.S locations. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. RWE considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s education &amp; work experience, training &amp; certifications, and key skills as well as market and business considerations at the time of the offer.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><strong>Benefits offered:</strong> Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays. Eligible employees also participate in short-term incentives, in addition to salary.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Apply with just a few clicks: ad code 92078. Any questions? Contact HR: <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">We look forward to meeting you. Of course, you can find us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Xing, too.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">RWE Americas, a subsidiary of RWE, is a US-based energy company that is helping to meet the growing demand for energy across the United States. Backed by RWE’s 125-year global legacy of managing diverse power assets, RWE Americas operates approximately 13 GW of power projects across 27 states. With a talented workforce of 2,000 employees, RWE Americas develops, constructs and operates wind, solar and battery storage projects that safely deliver affordable, reliable electricity to our customers. Committed to responsible development, RWE Americas invests in local and rural communities, creating jobs and partnering with stakeholders to support and strengthen the places where we live and work. Learn more about how RWE Americas is generating impact at <a href="https://americas.rwe.com/">americas.rwe.com.</a></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">At RWE Americas, we foster a culture defined by our Essential Behaviors – Have Courage, Create Impact and Actively Collaborate. We encourage bold thinking and continuous learning, and we value ownership, resilience and inclusion in everything we do. When you join us, you become part of a team that supports your development, respects your contributions and celebrates shared success. This is a place where you can grow your career and make a meaningful difference.</span></p>

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