Lead Program Manager, US Communications Program Management

National Grid is hiring a Lead Strategic Communications Specialist in our Brooklyn, NY office.

Every day we deliver safe and secure energy to homes, communities, and businesses. We are there when people need us the most. We bring energy to power possibilities, connecting people, homes, and businesses to the energy they need. The demand for energy continues to grow, and our expertise and track record puts us in an unparalleled position to shape the future of our industry.

To be successful we must anticipate the needs of our customers, reducing the cost of energy delivery today and pioneering the flexible energy systems of tomorrow. This requires us to deliver on our promises and always look for new opportunities to grow, both ourselves and our business.

We deliver high quality learning experiences that meet clients' technical, regulatory and safety learning needs through a blended learning approach and support the design and development of learning solutions.

The position leads a wide range of services and support for the Strategic Communications function in NYC, specifically the company's service area in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island, in close coordination with the company's Long Island Office. National Grid's NY External Communications is responsible for advancing and protecting the company's reputation across New York and beyond. This team communicates National Grid's story as a leader in safe, reliable energy and a company that is committed to affordable service and community support. The individual in this position will develop and manage external communications strategies, plans, policies, and projects under the direction of the Director of Strategic Communications, that advance and protect National Grid's reputation. Responsibilities include managing media relations; helping to lead crisis/emergency communications (including On Call after hours rotation); collaboration with social media, brand/marketing, customer communications, and NYC Regional Director teams; staffing executive speaking engagements; and identifying, creating and delivering key messaging to external audiences through a variety of traditional and digital communications channels.

* Develop and implement strategic and tactical communications plans and events to support local, regional and national company business strategy.

* Represent the company as a media spokesperson regionally on a wide range of issues and subjects.
* Direct and active participation in all aspects of emergency communications planning and response.
* Support relevant communications efforts/needs, including media training for subject matter experts leaders of the New York business as required.
* Develop and maintain effective relationships with key media outlets and internal stakeholders across our various business functions, to provide timely information about the company's operations and programs and directly pitch and place stories in NYC media market.

* Develop and maintain effective relationships with communications teams at key NYC agencies, organizations, and nonprofits.

* Develop, implement, and continuously improve end-to-end processes and procedures to streamline and improve the delivery of all communications to target audiences.
* Build strong narratives and communications that resonate with stakeholders, thought leaders, influencers, policymakers, investors, customers, communities, media and others.
* Drive awareness of initiatives, programs and events designed to improve brand affinity and perception of National Grid.
* Staff NY President and other key leadership at press events, including emergency scenes, press conferences, and more.
* Maintain records and measure value of key communications activities. Ensure alignment to function's objectives.

* Minimum of 5 years of experience in communications environment with direct experience in communications, public relations/public affairs outreach, writing, journalism and or editing
* Bachelor's Degree required in communications, journalism or related field, or comparable experience preferred
* Extensive knowledge of New York Metro area news media and government, with existing key relationships.
* Demonstrated ability to write clearly and concisely for both internal and external audiences, including (but not limited to) news releases, media advisories, fact sheets, white papers, executive speeches, presentations, blogs, social media, etc. Writing samples must be provided.
* Excellent track record of delivery and performance - a self-starter. Confident, independent individual with the ability to work to tight deadline.
* Periodic travel required, primarily to other NYC and Long Island company locations, with occasional travel to National Grid's upstate N.Y. and New England offices.