Communications Specialist

Job Title: Communications Specialist

Work Place Flexibility: Onsite 

Legal Entity: Entergy Services, Inc.-ESI (OLD) 

*This position will be filled as a Communications Specialist II or Senior based on the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate.*

Job Summary/Purpose

The communications specialist will work collaboratively within the Corporate Affairs and Communications department and with key internal business partners in the development and implementation of long-term, annual and campaign-specific communications programs that support the company's vision, mission, brand and strategic endeavors.

Job Duties/Responsibilities

• Counsels executive leaders and other employees on communication and media best practices, reputation management, and strategic PR planning and execution.
• Contributes to and executes a communications strategy designed to inform internal and external stakeholders and improve engagement. Monitors and shares industry news about the corporation and its competitors and identifies emerging issues.
• Works at the direction of the manager of corporate media and web communications and other department leaders to support ongoing company initiatives and special projects. Primary focus will be communications support for the company's  external affairs function, which includes federal regulatory affairs, federal governmental affairs, sustainability and environmental affairs and federal infrastructure programs.  
• Assists in the development of executive strategic communications plans including external media opportunities, social media strategies, and executive speaking engagements, etc. 
• Shares responsibilities for content creation and management of communications, articles, speeches, key messages, background documents, etc. for all relevant audiences.
• Collaborates in the tracking and monitoring of media metrics to help evaluate the effectiveness of external communications programs and communications, helps shape the company's executive communications strategy and supports storm and crisis communications efforts as needed.

Minimum Requirements

Minimum education required of the position

• Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, English or related field (advanced degree a plus).

Minimum experience required of the position

• Communications Specialist II: 3-5+ years of experience

• Sr. Communications Specialist: 5-7+ years of experience

• Desired: 4 years of experience in professional communications and/or federal policy setting (experience working with executive leaders preferred).

Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required of the position

• Strong writing, editing and communications planning skills (AP style knowledge needed).
• Demonstrated experience working with national media, including proactive outreach
• Strong media relations skills, including demonstrated ability to develop and maintain relationships with top-tier media
• Experience and knowledge of utility sector and federal policymaking

Any certificates, licenses, etc. required for the position

None

Other Attributes

Functional Knowledge 

• Positive communicator, creative thinker with strong writing skills.
• Knowledge of communication best practices and how they support organizational change.

Business Expertise

• Strong consulting skills, with a keen eye on industry trends and communications strategy.
• Executive presence.
• Demonstrated record of achieving superior national media relations results (proactive outreach)

Leadership

• Team-focused collaborator, with high degree of emotional intelligence.
• Ability to quickly establish confidence and credibility with senior leaders and others across the organization

Problem Solving

• Demonstrated ability to simplify and translate complex concepts, including financial, regulatory and policymaking processes, into easily understood language and compelling stories
• Ability to manage pressure, meet deadlines and monitor and evaluate results

Impact

• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to quality and detail.

Interpersonal Skills

• Collaborative style and strong work ethic
• Able to build relationships with key people in the field and across the organization.

Primary Location: Louisiana-New Orleans Louisiana : New Orleans 
Job Function: Professional
FLSA Status: Professional 
Relocation Option: Level II
Union description/code: NON BARGAINING UNIT 
Number of Openings: 1
Req ID: 117957
Travel Percentage:Up to 25%

An Equal Opportunity Employer, Minority/Female/Disability/Vets. Please click here to navigate to EEO page, or see statements below.

EEO Statement: The Entergy System of Companies provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. The Entergy System of Companies complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. 

The Entergy System of Companies expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of the Entergy System of Company employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.

Accessibility: Entergy provides reasonable accommodations for online applicants. Requests for a reasonable accommodation may be made orally or in writing by an applicant, employee, or third party on his or her behalf. If you are an individual with a disability and you are in need of an accommodation for the recruiting process please click here and provide your name, contact number, the accommodation requested and the requisition number that you are requesting the accommodation for. Employee Services will contact you regarding your request.

Additional Responsibilities: As a provider of essential services, Entergy expects its employees to be available to work additional hours, to work in alternate locations, and/or to perform additional duties in connection with storms, outages, emergencies, or other situations as deemed necessary by the company. Exempt employees may not be paid overtime associated with such duties.

 Equal Opportunity

The non-confidential portions of the affirmative action program for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans shall be available for inspection upon request by any employee or applicant for employment.  Please contact HRCompliance@entergy.com to schedule a time to review the affirmative action plan during regular office hours.

EEI Testing:

One way that Entergy has found to identify and assess the abilities and skills needed for certain jobs is through pre-employment testing. If this position does require an EEI test, the type of test will be located under the qualifications section of the job posting. If you are invited to a test session, we strongly recommend you review and complete the practice test as well as review the testing brochure for your respective test.  The test brochure will give you critical information on the test such as time allocated and Pre-employment Testing:  of questions.  Also, keep in mind that the actual test is timed; you should practice timing yourself while doing the practice tests. The practice test information and test brochures can be located by going to the EEI website, http://www.eei.org/practicetests, numberLogon ID:  entergy, password:  practice test (2 words). Travel expenses incurred in connection with EEI testing are non-reimbursable.

In addition to EEI testing there is also Fit-for-Duty testing which will identify and assess the abilities and skills needed for certain jobs. If this position does require Fit-for-Duty testing, the type of test will be located under the qualifications section of the job posting.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
As a provider of essential services, Entergy expects its employees to be available to work additional hours, to work in alternate locations, and/or to perform additional duties in connection with storms, outages, emergencies, or other situations as deemed necessary by the company. Exempt employees may not be paid overtime associated with such duties.