Director, Operations Communications

Are you looking for an exciting job where you can put your skills and talents to work at a company you can feel proud to be a part of? Do you want a workplace that will challenge you and offer you opportunities to learn and grow?  A  position at Xcel Energy could be just what you’re looking for.

Position Summary
Serves as strategic leader of internal and external communications for Xcel Energy’s core Operations business units with a focus on enterprise priority issues (with a particular focus on Nuclear, Wildfire and Gas Operations). The role addresses operational, jurisdictional, and regulatory issues, state and local government affairs, policy issues, and employee engagement. This leader anticipates issues and seeks proactive opportunities to encourage employee and public understanding of company positions. Creates and manages strategic communications and public relations plans to support company’s business, brand and policy objectives. Consistently advances Xcel Energy messaging and positive brand reputation through effective communications planning.  Partners with other communications leaders to ensure that best practices, experiences, and knowledge are captured and applied in all deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Nuclear Support: strategic support to the nuclear business unit with a heavy focus on internal communications, issues management and coordination of a variety of external stakeholder engagements. Position includes playing a role in the nuclear emergency response organization and crisis communications, as well as some on-call and afterhours responsibilities. 

• Operations Support: Provide strategic direction and oversee support of the Operations business unit (e.g. power generation, distribution, transmission, natural gas systems) with a focus on enterprise priority issue management, including the company’s wildfire and natural gas operations. Coordinate and aligning external communications activities, including with customers, regulatory agencies, emergency response organizations and other stakeholders. Coordinates the enterprise approach to on-call responsibilities and operational event communications response readiness and implementation.   

• Leadership: Strategically lead a team of leaders, communication professionals, contractors and vendor-partners. Create performance metrics, track performance, and provide feedback to staff to ensure internal client satisfaction. Provide professional development opportunities to enhance employee skills and knowledge. Serve as a resource to staff and teams whose work is significantly relevant to the jurisdiction; works in close coordination with other communications professionals to create alignment of efforts. Understand and sponsor the Xcel Energy brand and ensure adherence to brand standards. Demonstrate behaviors based upon corporate values; assist staff to embrace values.

• Strategy & Planning: Develop communications and public relations plans and strategies for internal and external audiences relevant to both day-to-day company operations as well as an increasing rate of infrastructure modernization and construction projects. Proactively anticipate and research issues related to areas such as state and local government affairs, regulatory filings, grassroots and political action activities, public affairs, and economic development. Provide strategic communications counsel and recommendations to jurisdictional leaders on potential and emerging issues facing the company.

• Industry Expertise: Track and monitor communication improvements/advancements throughout the industry. Bring best practices, including relevant new communications technologies, channels, and tools to Xcel Energy and ensure staff familiarity with them. 

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or related field. 

• 10+ years of content and communication strategy development and execution, including 5 years in a leadership or managerial role. 

• Experience in communications with demonstrated ability to deliver effective and strategic messages to audiences ranging from front line employees to senior executives. 

• Proven leadership to conceptual thinking, creativity, and innovation; ability to influence others. 

• Passionate about collaboration and have experience working across marketing/communications channels. 

• Ability to operate in a fast-moving environment and present/sell your work well. 

• Experience managing external agencies and a department budget. 

• Team player who enjoys collaborating with a high performing group.

• Availability to support on-call and after hours needs during emergency response and crisis situations.

• Utility operations expertise helpful but not required. Should have the ability and desire to gain utility operations knowledge, including Nuclear.

As a leading combination electricity and natural gas energy company, Xcel Energy offers a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity and 1.9 million natural gas customers across eight Western and Midwestern states. At Xcel Energy, we strive to be the preferred and trusted provider of the energy our customers need. If you’re ready to be a part of something big, we invite you to join our team.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Individuals with a disability who need an accommodation to apply please contact us at recruiting@xcelenergy.com.

Non-Bargaining

The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $122,000.00 to $173,933.33 per year

This position is eligible for the following benefits: Annual Incentive Program, Medical/Pharmacy Plan, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Care Reimbursement Account, Health Care Reimbursement Account, Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA), Transportation Reimbursement Account, Short-term disability (STD), Long-term disability (LTD), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Tuition reimbursement, Transit programs, Employee recognition program, Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays, Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO), Parental Leave

Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.

Deadline to Apply: 01/09/25

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ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT
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