External Communications Lead (Central/West GA)

External Communications Lead (Central/West Georgia)

There will be an "in-office presence expectation" four (4) days per week and/or as additionally required.

Please Note : You will be required to use your own vehicle while traveling & you WILL be reimbursed for mileage.

Please read the Fleet driving verbiage at the bottom of this Job Description carefully prior to applying.

* The individual must live within 60 miles of Macon, Georgia, and will be based at the company’s Macon operating headquarters or a local headquarters in the surrounding area.

** PLEASE READ CAREFULLY PRIOR TO APPLYING! ..... You will participate in an on-call media rotation and tracking 24 hours a day, seven days a week when scheduled and during emergencies/storms.

Georgia Power is seeking an experienced and dynamic External Communications Lead to join our team. This role works as part of the Corporate Affairs team, supporting internal and external communications activities primarily in Central and West Georgia.

The successful candidate will have a strong track record in external affairs/public relations/branding, a keen eye for storytelling, and the ability to foster and maintain robust relationships with local Georgia Power teams, media outlets and community organizations.

Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field.
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in journalism, community relations, media relations, public relations, or a similar role.
- Knowledge of key media markets and audiences in Central and West Georgia preferred.
- Proven experience in managing social media platforms and creating compelling content.
- Strong understanding of local advertising strategies and experience in campaign execution.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft clear and engaging messages, and provide communications counsel to company leaders or technical experts.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with media and other external stakeholders.
- Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
- Proficiency in using social media analytics tools and Microsoft Office Suite.

Key Responsibilities:

- Develop and implement comprehensive communications strategies to enhance Georgia Power’s visibility and reputation, specifically in Central Georgia (Macon area) and towards the Columbus area including Milledgeville, Eatonton, and Danville.
- Serve as a key communications contact for local Georgia Power teams in the development of strategy and engagement around local infrastructure projects (new generation facilities, transmission and distribution projects, etc.)
- Act as a liaison between the company and the community, attending events and networking opportunities to advance the interests of the company in service for customers.
- Collaborate with internal teams to ensure consistent messaging and alignment of communication strategies across all platforms.
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with local journalists, editors, and media influencers to facilitate fair and favorable coverage of Georgia Power. Participate in the company’s on-call media rotation, serve as the primary point of contact for media inquiries in select markets and proactively pitch stories to local, regional, and national media outlets. Manage local media engagements including interviews, media briefings, events and tours of company facilities.
- Working with the dedicated social media team, capture and curate engaging content that highlights Georgia Power’s initiatives, community involvement, and customer stories for various social media platforms.
- Collaborate with marketing teams to design and implement local brand campaigns that align with Georgia Power’s brand and business objectives, including identifying and engaging with local media and advertising partners to maximize reach and impact.
- Serve as a day-to-day media contact for assigned topics, regions, or business units, working closely with the media relations manager and senior communications leaders
- Respond to inbound media inquiries with accuracy, urgency, and sound judgment, including during storms, emergencies, or emerging issues
- Participate in an on-call media rotation and tracking 24 hours a day, seven days a week when scheduled and during emergencies/storms.

This position has been identified as a role that will require the use of a Georgia Power fleet vehicle. The following will be required if you are selected for this position and are new to a GPC fleet driving role:

- Must have at least one year of verifiable driving experience as a licensed driver (Must hold a valid driver’s license for the class vehicle to be operated. Driving permits are not typically considered a valid driver’s license).
- Must have no suspension of driving privileges within the 36 months prior to application for a driving -related violation, no conviction for DUI/DWI in the past 36 months prior to application, no convictions of major traffic violations (hit and run, reckless driving, etc.) within the 12 months prior to application, or any pending charges for a major traffic violation at the time of application.
- Must consent to a continuous monitoring of your Motor Vehicle Record