About the position
Xcel Energy is seeking a results-oriented Sr. Communications Consultant or Communications Consultant to join our team. This position focuses on client relationship management and communications planning, serving as the primary Corporate Communications representative to business unit or jurisdictional leaders. The successful candidate will be accountable for thoroughly understanding the client's business and developing and implementing internal and external communications and public relations plans and solutions within the framework of approved strategies. This role requires ensuring client understanding and agreement with proposed tactics, schedules, and costs, while being alert to events, projects, and initiatives that may present opportunities or threats to client goals, recommending appropriate communications actions as necessary. The position is designed to offer a hybrid work arrangement, allowing remote work on Mondays and Fridays, with in-office work required on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The successful candidate will be responsible for proactively seeking and mining opportunities that align with the client's goals, representing Corporate Communications within the client's organization. They will develop plans based on client goals and communications strategies, ensuring that schedules and costs align with client timelines and budgets, while also reporting results and offering actions for improvement. Additionally, the consultant will coordinate the implementation of communications tactics, leading teams of writers, designers, vendors, and others involved in project work for the client. They will serve as a communications and information resource to colleagues and clients, understanding and sponsoring the Xcel Energy brand, ensuring adherence to brand standards, and demonstrating behaviors based on corporate values. The role may require after-hours and/or weekend support for crisis communications needs, including participation in the on-call rotation.
Responsibilities
- Serve as a primary client liaison, proactively seeking opportunities that align with client goals.
- Represent Corporate Communications within the client's organization.
- Develop plans based on client goals and communications strategies, ensuring alignment with timelines and budgets.
- Report results and offer actions to improve communications effectiveness.
- Coordinate implementation of communications tactics, leading teams of writers, designers, and vendors.
- Serve as a communications and information resource to colleagues and clients.
- Understand and sponsor the Xcel Energy brand, ensuring adherence to brand standards.
- Demonstrate behaviors based on corporate values.
- Participate in after-hours and/or weekend support for crisis communications needs.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, marketing, or public relations.
- For Sr. Communications Consultant: Ten years' experience in communications, preferably in a corporate or agency or journalism setting, with at least five years' experience as an account executive or in a direct client service role or in a newsroom.
- For Communications Consultant: Five to seven years' experience in positions requiring significant, direct interaction with clients, designers, and production vendors.
- Demonstrated success in creating and implementing communications plans.
- Ability to prioritize, manage, and work on multiple projects.
- Solid copywriting and editing expertise.
- Proven ability to write clearly, concisely, quickly, and accurately, incorporating key messages and calls to action.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience in a corporate or agency setting preferred.
- Familiarity with crisis communications.
Benefits
- Annual Incentive Program
- Medical/Pharmacy Plan
- Dental
- Vision
- Life Insurance
- Dependent Care Reimbursement Account
- Health Care Reimbursement Account
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Limited-Purpose FSA
- Transportation Reimbursement Account
- Short-term disability (STD)
- Long-term disability (LTD)
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Fitness Center Reimbursement
- Tuition reimbursement
- Transit programs
- Employee recognition program
- Pension
- 401(k) plan
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Holidays
- Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO)
- Parental Leave
