Sr. Communication Program Manager

Closes: March 28, 2023

Starting Range: $69,991 - $118,610; full position breakdown below

This position leads the internal and external communication and outreach programs across multiple stakeholder groups. The incumbent will lead programs responsible for improving customer engagement and experience for utility and corporate programs, products and services, driving loyalty, and managing risk for the corporation across a multitude of channels. Helps drive the end-to-end vision, strategy, and positioning of the corporation consistent with corporate mission, vision, and values In addition, this position will actively participate as a strategic member of project and issues management teams to align communication strategy with business priorities and assist with decision-making to drive company goodwill and program success.

• Responsible for project management and coordination of preparation and production of communication mediums to ensure maximum impact across channels and audiences. Implement effective communication strategies for conveying relevant information to varied audiences. Determine needed resources and provide oversight for implementation, including budget development and management, ROI tracking, data and analytics.
• Responsible for vendor management, budget development and management, and understanding in-depth information across a variety of topics including strategy, market trends, technology, customer needs and expectations, as well as industry trends and topics. Maintains strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Advise on communications, earned media, and/or marketing strategy approach to one or more of Avista lines of business, including executive leadership, to develop and implement a high-impact communications programs that will support the accomplishment of business and corporate goals. Mitigate business and reputational risk on controversial topics that could have an adverse impact.
• Research and explore emerging innovative platforms and technologies. Proactively monitor communication trends while assessing market environment. Make strategic adjustments to plans as necessary to anticipate and prepare for future issues. Escalate decisions and unresolved issues as needed.
• Present employee/customer/media perspective to management and proactively anticipate need for communications. Manage confidential information.
• Review high volumes of information to prioritize and streamline important material that will be used to inform, engage and connect Avista employees, customers, and stakeholders to ultimately drive engagement per defined objectives.
• Manage external vendor and partner resources. Effectively integrate external information/material with internal resources to meet project objectives. Demonstrated understanding of policy and industry impacts.
• Serves as on-call representative for customer communication channels, media relations, and social media, escalating through appropriate legal, safety, operational, or officer level channels as necessary.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, or other related field is required.
• 4 years or related experience in a communications support role.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Demonstrated relationship building, collaboration and influencing skills while working with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to communicate complex topics effectively.
• Experience with compiling and crafting compelling communication materials and marketing content.
• Strong creative and strategic thinking complemented with a bias for action. Ability to suggest new ideas and solutions, solve problems creatively and develop new ideas and approaches to unusual or difficult situations.
• Highly accountable, driven to success in a fast-paced environment.
• Good judgment and interpersonal skills. Able effectively work with a variety of organizations, management levels, cultures and personalities in a professional and trusted way.
• Experience with delivering thorough and strategic communication programs with a customer focus. Keen understanding of corporate risk management.
• Self-starter who can identify, evaluate and execute effective communication programs for complex and sometimes controversial topics.

Preferred Qualifications

• 6 years of related experience in communication, and/or marketing program management
• An advanced degree (MBA, MA).
• Creative and innovative thinking skills. Ability to act as a thought leader on communication practices.
• Manage multiple communication programs of medium to high complexity from concept through final implementation.
• Manage schedules and hold others accountable to commitments. Ability to alert stakeholders in advance of challenges or delays.
• Demonstrated ability to interact personably and diplomatically with staff at all levels, including company executives and highly technical subject matter experts.
• Ability to influence others, giving advice that demonstrates understating of a team, business strategy and leadership style.
• Manage advanced writing assignments such as speeches, announcements and scripts for senior management.
• Ability to work with multiple senior executives as a coach and counsel to ensure communications are aligned and coordinated and support the culture and direction of the company and its strategies
• Ability to deal with ambiguity and create frameworks and plans to solve unstructured problems.
• Demonstrated industry and business acumen, as well as maturity and flexibility in a fast-paced, frequently changing environment. Advanced coping and resiliency skills.
• Requires high degree of demonstrated judgement, discretion and critical thinking.
• Provide work direction and leadership for junior program team members
• Foster a positive work environment where people can thrive, do their best work and feel appreciated and recognized.
• Responsible for all communications channels internally and externally, as well as developing and managing governance for communications.

Other combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Level I: Starting Range: $69,991-$90,639, Full Range: $69,991-$100,962

Level II: Starting Range: $79,680-$103,585, Full Range: $79,680 - $103,585

Level III: Starting Range: $90,542-$118,610, Full Range: $90,542-$132,645

To Apply

We encourage you to apply as many of our positions have step progressions to account for an incoming employee's various levels of knowledge, skills, and experience.

Complete an online application and attach your resume and cover letter to your profile. All documents must be attached to your application at the time of submitting your application for review. No documents can be attached after you click "Submit".

Benefits

At Avista, we believe our employees are essential. Through them we deliver value to our customers and the communities we serve. The physical, mental, and financial health and well-being of our employees and their families are important to us. We are committed to offering a comprehensive total rewards program comprised of an externally competitive, internally equitable compensation structure and a benefits package that allows us to retain and attract a diverse, engaged, and skilled workforce. Our benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage, retirement benefits, incentive plans, wellness resources, time-off programs and much more. In addition to our total rewards program, the Pacific Northwest offers abundant outdoor recreation, four distinct seasons, and all the amenities and activities an individual or family might be interested in. To learn more, please visit our benefits website at https://avistabenefits.com/.

Pre-employment screening requirements

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a drug test, background check and motor vehicle records review.

Avista's Commitment to Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action

Avista is a safe, inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds, and we are committed to Equal Opportunity Employment, Affirmative Action efforts, and Equity, Inclusion and Diversity. We strongly encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, protected veterans, and all others. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, sensory, mental or physical disability (unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification), Veteran status or any other classification protected by nondiscrimination laws.

Equity and diversity in our workplace is important to us. Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you require any special accommodations to participate fully in our recruitment process. Avista will make reasonable accommodation to assist a qualified person with a disability in the job application, interview process, and to perform the essential functions of the job whenever possible, where undue hardship would not be created for Avista. Please contact us at humanresources@avistacorp.com if you would like assistance.