Vice President, External Communications
American Water

Job Info

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Requisition ID: 107336

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 $30 to $34 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

Works with executive leadership in developing and leading the implementation of an integrated strategic communications program for American Water consistent with overall company strategy and desired positioning in the US water industry and in the marketplace. Develops and oversees communications programs, procedures, strategies and practices to ensure functional excellence in the areas of corporate communication, digital media, advocacy communication, media relations, community relations, and corporate social responsibility throughout all American Water states and at the corporate level.

Key Accountabilities

Communication:

• Lead a cost sensitive, effective, pro-active communications program to translate the business strategy and goals into effective communication strategies which are sensitive to multiple stakeholder needs. Raise awareness and collaborate with senior management and operational management to obtain buy-in to a broad communication strategy to help deliver business goals. Develop proactive external communication processes consistent with overall corporate strategy. Monitor and encourage the application of agreed communication policies and frameworks across the company. (25%)

Communication:

• Elevate all aspects of American Water and water industry (working with Agency); develop new content with proactive messaging on issues, case studies, digital, proactive and defense pieces; drive/align state strategy on industry/company thought leadership; drive/support referendums/campaigns; create content and communications strategy in support of reg/leg policy efforts Lead and develop a network of communication representatives across the company. Appoint, manage and evaluate relevant external agency support as required, and to support the appointment of relevant external agencies across the business. (50%)

Other/Projects:

• Oversee and coordinate research related to customer service and customer satisfaction measures as key components of the company's performance metrics. Represent the organization and make presentations before internal and external committees, boards, commissions and/or other governmental agencies concerning programs, requirements and policies. Oversee and provide internal consulting and support services to state communications personnel on various projects. (15%)

Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy:

• Promote the understanding of and establish focused activities for corporate citizenship, community investment, and corporate accountability. (20%)
• Provide and promote knowledge sharing, lessons learned, trends, collaboration and investment for the achievement of national recognition volunteer program, including establishing a corporate foundation and for building a vision for the function that generates commitment to these organization by membership and participation in industry organizations, Undertake appropriate policy level roles on key industry-wide bodies. Track and evaluate individual and functional results against goals and performance issues; provide ongoing coaching and development that builds the company's communications and external affairs capability. (5%)

Industry Relationships:

• As requested by executive management, serve as the champion of the benefits of private involvement in water in US markets and represent the associations, meetings and conferences/conventions eg: AWWA, etc. implement changes/corrective actions that effectively address

Knowledge/Skills

• Knowledge in designing, implementing and managing integrated strategic communications programs.
• Knowledge of regulated environments required, regulated utility business a plus.
• Experience in managing external suppliers.

Experience/Education

• Bachelor's Degree required
• 12 - 15 years comprehensive corporate Communications and External Affairs

Travel Requirements

• 25 -50 %

Work Environment

• Standard office environment
• Hybrid work schedule (at least 3 days in office per week)

Competencies

Decision Quality

Develops Talent

Drives Engagement

Plans, Aligns, & Directs

Prioritizes & Role Models Safety

Self-Awareness

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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