Gas Operations Communications Specialist

Job Summary:

The Gas Operations Communications Specialist will be a key member of the Communications, Community Relations and Marketing team and requires a self-starting individual to lead cross-functional internal collaboration to maintain and enhance CenterPoint’s reputation and proactively tell the company’s positive impact on growth and economic development. The position requires engagement through in-person field activities with operations and customers, as well as the development and management of operational print, digital and in-person communications through various channels, including community outreach, web and media, and direct customer engagement. This individual may also act as a company spokesperson during emergency events, or as needed.

Essential Functions:

• Serves as a Corporate Communications representative, providing strategic guidance, identifying effective tactics and evaluating results.
• Serves on the emergency response communications team on a rotational basis and occasionally after-hours and weekends. May work extensive hours at CenterPoint Energy locations during a crisis response.
• Develops and manages the production of a wide variety of communication materials, including web copy, news releases, fact sheets, articles, presentations, speeches, videos, emails, intranet articles, brochures, posters, digital signage, etc.
• Develop and coordinate deployment of gas pipeline construction project communications, including web-based publishing and other electronic communications, i.e. email, text-to-subscribe applications. Update and revise web content as the scope of high-profile construction projects change or construction schedules are revised.
• Develops and implements strategic internal and external communication plans. Includes developing key messages, strategies, timing and specific channels, and incorporating analytics and measurement for results.
• Works closely with Gas Capital Delivery, Engineering, Operations, Local Government Relations and Customer Service teams, route and handle complex customer concerns, in a timely and thorough manner - on the phone or in person based on the nature of the concern.
• Initiates and maintains strong working relationships with Operations leadership, work sponsored project managers (PMs), community relations, and other departments at CenterPoint.
• Serves as Communications liaison for natural gas operations teams, attending internal construction meetings and site visits with management and develops potential site location project descriptions to gauge scope of ongoing construction projects.
• Implements best practices and improves processes and deliverables proactively.
• Assists the web content team with the planning, implementation and maintenance web content.
• Collaborates with graphic designers, marketing specialists and social media team to produce attractive and effective communication materials.
• Develop notification letters and emails for customers, city staff, public officials, neighborhood associations, business associations, local newspapers and media outlets and other external stakeholders as needed along project construction areas.
• Serves as regional support for company social media accounts.
• Schedule, coordinate and attend public open houses, community meetings and staff informational booths when needed in support of construction activity.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in communications, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field is required.

Experience:

• A minimum 5 years of communication experience.
• Can become or preferably is familiar with natural gas industry terminology.
• Expertise in executing communication strategies.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Gas Capital Delivery, Engineering, Operations and Marketing Communication partners throughout the organization.
• Experience in partnering with key stakeholders to prioritize and deliver on multiple or complex projects; with the ability to meet deadlines and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong ability to interact with diverse groups, develop robust networks, and build credibility within the organization to drive projects forward.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills to convey complex information effectively.
• Familiarity with web content management systems or a similar database content system.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to read, interprets, utilize and discuss technical documents and maps.
• Experience within a matrix organization.
• A communications generalist and utility player with broad experience and the ability to flex and adapt to team and organizational needs.
• A creative, highly motivated, detail-oriented self-starter.
• Able to work independently to accomplish goals and objectives.
• Able to perform with poise under tight deadlines and shifting priorities; can successfully navigate fast-paced situations.
• Flexibility and adaptability.
• Exceptional written and oral communications skills.
• Exceptional project and time management skills.