Job Summary
The VP, Chief Communications Officer holds a strategic leadership role within AEP, orchestrating the company’s internal and external messaging to shape public perception, maintain a brand positive image and drive employee value proposition. This position drives the narrative across various platforms, ensuring consistency in communications and fostering strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders. By overseeing the development and implementation of communications and marketing strategies, the VP, Chief Communications Officer ensures that the organization’s mission, vision, and values are effectively conveyed to both internal and external audiences. This role requires a blend of creativity and analytical skills to manage the dynamic landscape of corporate communications, public relations, brand management and digital media, supporting the organization’s goals and objectives. This position serves as the Communications & Marketing leader through both direct and indirect reporting relationships. The VP, Chief Communications Officer will work in a highly matrixed environment with a direct staff of 40+ full-time Communications & Marketing employees and will manage a several million-dollar budget.
Job Description
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Provide strategic counsel to the CEO and executive team on communications matters.
Provide strategic direction and leadership to the Communications & Marketing team, ensuring alignment with the organization's goals and objectives.
Develop and implement comprehensive communication strategies that enhance the company’s reputation and stakeholder relationships.
Collaborate with executive leadership, Operating Company communications teams and other key internal partners (including safety, customer, external affairs and HR) to align communications efforts with the company’s goals.
Inspire, motivate, and mentor the Communications & Marketing function, encouraging professional growth and fostering a culture of trust, collaboration and innovation.
Lead by example, promoting ethical conduct, integrity, and transparency in all communications efforts.
Manage crisis communication plans, preparing for potential issues and responding swiftly to mitigate any negative impact on the organization’s reputation.
Develop and deliver executive communications programs, including speeches, presentations, talking points, social media presence and employee engagement.
Oversee the creation of all forms of media and content, ensuring consistency in messaging across all platforms.
Drive the digital communications strategy, including the AEP’s websites, social media presence, and digital marketing efforts to engage with AEP’s customers, communities, and key stakeholders.
Coordinate internal communications, ensuring that employees are informed and engaged with the company’s mission, values, and initiatives.
Manage AEP’s brand across all platforms, ensuring brand consistency. Lead branding initiatives to enhance visibility and reputation in partnership with Operating Companies.
Develop and execute innovative marketing strategies to drive program awareness, customer engagement, and over customer satisfaction in partnership with Operating Companies.
Lead public relations efforts, building and maintaining positive relationships with media outlets, influencers, and other external stakeholders.
Drive company branding to external stakeholders.
Collaborate with the government affairs and regulatory teams to align communications with regulatory and legislative strategy and advocate for the company’s positions.
Navigate the complexities of a multifaceted regulated utility, understanding the unique challenges of the regulatory environment to deliver successful communication outcomes.
Foster a sense of purpose, teamwork, and employee engagement through effective internal communications, ensuring compliance with regulatory guidelines.
Partner effectively with key internal and external stakeholders.
Responsible for the communications and marketing budget, allocating resources efficiently to support various initiatives and measuring the return on investment of communications and marketing activities.
Guide the professional development of the Communications & Marketing function, including mentoring and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and innovation within the function.
Develop and implement strategies to cultivate a positive and inclusive organizational culture, considering the specific needs and constraints of the industry.
Partner across AEP system to ensure consistency and relevancy of message.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Business, or a related field.
Experience:
Minimum of 20 years' experience in communications, public relations field preferably in the energy sector or regulated industry.
Proven track record of at least 10 years in leadership roles.
Experience in translating complex information into clear and concise messaging, while adhering to regulatory requirements.
Exceptional leadership and management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate diverse teams within a complex organization or regulated setting.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including regulators, media outlets and industry influencers.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a keen eye for detail and the ability to adapt communication style for different audiences and regulatory requirements.
Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to navigate and lead communications during times of change, crisis or regulatory challenges.
#LI-HYBRID
Compensation Data
Compensation Grade:
SP20-014
Compensation Range:
$247,581.00-321,855.50 USD
Hear about it first! Get job alerts by email. Log in to your Candidate Home Account today! If you don't have an account, you can create one.
It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all aspects of the employer‐employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we must record certain information to be made part of an Affirmative Action Plan. Applicants for employment may also be invited to participate in the Affirmative Action Program by self-identifying their Race or Ethnic Identity.