Manager External Affairs at American Water in Sacramento, California

Job Description:

Requisition ID: 107984



Share Our Purpose. Be Yourself. Feel Valued.


People are the heart of our business. As an American Water employee, you will be offered a competitive salary and health benefits package, along with opportunities to develop, grow, and evolve your career. Our benefits packages focus on key areas such as health & wellness, emotional & well-being, and savings for current & future goals.


We are Beautifully Different. We strongly believe having diversity across our company makes us more successful and helps us provide essential services to our customers. We are stronger because we embrace different ideas, viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds. American Water is the best choice for your next role! Click here for more information on our inclusion, diversity, and equity journey.



About American Water

American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people across 14 regulated jurisdictions and 18 military installations. American Water's 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company's national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.


As one of the fastest growing utilities in the U.S., American Water expects to invest $40 to $42 billion in infrastructure repairs and replacement, system resiliency and regulated acquisitions over the next 10 years. The company has a long-standing history of executing its core operations, aligned with sustainable best practices, through its commitments to safety, affordability, customer service, protecting the environment, an inclusive workforce and strengthening communities.


American Water has been recognized on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for the fifth consecutive year, ranked 18th on Barron's 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies 2023 List, earned the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act designation and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense® Excellence Award, among additional state, local and national recognitions.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.




Primary Role


The primary role of this position is to provide senior-level communications counsel to the Northern California Director of Operations and the state senior management team and to develop, coordinate, implement and manage all communications activities to support providing safe, reliable, water and wastewater service at a fair price. The primary areas of responsibility include customer communications, media relations, community and stakeholder relations and local government relations activities to inform and meet the needs of customers and stakeholders. This is focused on providing communications and in the following areas:

• Water service and quality
• Rates and regulatory activity
• Infrastructure investment and construction Community relations
• Water conservation and efficiency

The External Affairs Manager is the critical communications resource maximizing the company's communications effectiveness, flexibility, and responsiveness within the communities we serve. This professional has a comprehensive depth of communications knowledge and experience with demonstrated expertise in implementing integrated, strategic communications programs.


The External Affairs Manager is an active and vital component of an integrated communications team operating through a matrix management model that is responsible for functional excellence reaching all audiences with a full array of internal and external communications messages, tactics, and activities. This role is responsible for identifying, developing, nurturing, and sustaining strong and enduring relationships with the media not only during unanticipated events but also to proactively to leverage media coverage.


This function ensures that American Water is aligned with key community groups and organizations and well regarded and respected as a leader in the community and within the water sector. The position leads and directs all communications activities to reflect American Water's commitment to its customers and the communities we serve. The position works closely with the northern California Director of Operations and the state senior management team and ensures that the company is effectively aligned and positioned to develop and sustain key relationships with community leaders, government, and regulatory authorities, as well as elected and appointed officials.




Key Accountabilities

• Directly supports the strategic communications needs of central California and the state senior management team. Leads statewide strategic communications initiatives. Assists in strategy development and the proactive development of communications materials/tactics that produce cost, time and resource efficiencies across the business as well as ensures consistent messaging for all audiences.
• Employs a keen awareness and knowledge of community resources and contacts; understands the attitudes and concerns of the community. Implements communication strategies, tactics, and activities to ensure ongoing, consistent, and targeted communications to support regulatory filings.
• Develops, manages, and directs comprehensive strategic communications plans and supporting materials for public communications including media relations, conference participation, community relations/events, local government relations and sponsorship/memberships. Interacts and provides communications counsel on communications-related issues, challenges, and opportunities. Develops effective crisis plans, crisis communications and serves as a spokesperson in a crisis situation.
• Effectively manages internal and external resources, such as public relations agencies and other communications consultants, and adheres to all budget management requirements.
• Monitors internal/external business developments, as well as identifying connections between business
• activities and industry trends, which may pose a threat or benefit to the company's reputation.
• Works closely with the Customer Communications Manager, the Digital Communications Manager, and other external affairs teammates to ensure that materials are anticipated, planned for, and developed on a timely basis to meet the needs of state operations. Provides communications support to business development activities, when needed.
• Expertise developing social media content. Works collaboratively to develop strategic communications plans and timelines.
• Works with state and corporate legal teams to ensure consistent and appropriate language is in all materials.
• Works in a seamless and integrated manner to ensure the effective strategic alignment and coordination of all communications, both internal and external, within each state and between each state and corporate.
• Interfaces with local elected officials and develops and sustains strong working relationships. Develops, executes, and measures the effectiveness of media relations strategies in support of the state's capital investment program. Predicts and anticipates the needs of the news media/reporters and is cognizant of meeting these needs. Plans and manages large press and community events.

Knowledge/Skills

• Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively.
• Excellent writing and editing skills.
• Digital media, including social media, website, and visual arts.
• Knowledge of regulated utilities and natural resources preferred.

Experience/Education

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, government relations, English, advertising, or related field preferred, or demonstrated experienced commensurate with the requirements of the position.
• Seven to ten years of experience in public relations, media relations, media reporting, marketing, and community relations in a fast-paced corporate and/or agency environment

Travel Requirements

• 20%

Competencies


Champions safety


Collaborates


Cultivates innovation


Customer obsessed


Drives Results


Nimble learning


Manager, External Affairs in Sacramento, CA

Posted Range:

$89,232.00 - $127,556.00 annually


The base salary range represents a good faith salary range for this position. This position is eligible for annual incentive pay and has the opportunity for continued salary growth. If you are hired at American Water your base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as market, geography, skills, education and/or experience. At American Water, we are committed to pay equity.

In addition to compensation, you will be offered a comprehensive benefits package including 401(k),Defined Contribution Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage, plus disability, paid time off, life insurance, voluntary benefits, health and wellness programs and much more!

American Water is also proud to offer employees learning opportunities and work experiences to grow professionally!



Join American Water...We Keep Life Flowing™



American Water is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants
based on his or her age, race, color, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, citizenship, or because they are an individual with a disability, protected veteran or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws.




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