Find & Apply For Communications / Public Relations Manager Jobs in Smyrna, Delaware

The Senior Manager of Government & Community Relations supports DEMEC's communications, government relations, and legislative advocacy efforts to strengthen engagement with members, policymakers, stakeholders, and the communities we serve. Reporting to the Director of Government & Community Relations, this position manages day-to-day communications and outreach while supporting legislative tracking, policy research, government affairs, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy initiatives at the federal, state, and local levels. The role develops clear and engaging content across digital, print, and public-facing platforms; monitors legislative and policy developments affecting DEMEC's member communities; and helps translate complex energy issues into effective communications for diverse audiences. This position is ideal for a collaborative professional who combines strong communication skills with an interest in public policy, community engagement, and the evolving energy industry. Essential Job Duties 1. Manage the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of DEMEC's internal and external communications program. 2. Develop, write, edit, and coordinate corporate communications, publications, annual reports, newsletters, speeches, press releases, presentations, educational materials, and organizational messaging. 3. Manage DEMEC's website, social media platforms, branding, digital content, photography, videography, and multimedia communications. 4. Develop communication strategies supporting organizational initiatives, legislative priorities, member programs, emergency communications, and public outreach. 5. Coordinate media relations, public information activities, and communication support for Board meetings, conferences, member events, and organizational initiatives. 6. Manage communication consultants, vendors, and creative service providers while maintaining quality, brand consistency, and fiscal responsibility. 7. Maintain knowledge of local, state, and federal energy and environmental policy initiatives and legislation. 8. Support legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts through research, policy analysis, legislative monitoring, and executive briefings. 9. Prepare legislative summaries, testimony, advocacy materials, policy communications, and corporate reports. 10. Develop and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, government agencies, member communities, industry organizations, and strategic partners. 11. Possess unquestionable personal code of ethics, integrity, and trust. 12. Represent DEMEC before governmental, industry, and community organizations as assigned. 13. Attend legislative sessions, regulatory proceedings, committee meetings, and industry events to monitor issues affecting DEMEC and its member communities. 14. Assist in establishing departmental goals, strategic initiatives, budgets, work plans, performance measures, and operation priorities. 15. Lead assigned cross-functional projects and coordinates organizational initiatives involving multiple departments and external stakeholders. 16. Assist with crisis communications planning, emergency public information, departmental procedures, workflow improvements, and executive support activities. 17. Prepare reports, presentations, Board materials, correspondence, and other corporate documentation. 18. Maintain professional knowledge of communications, government affairs, and Public Power industry best practices. 19. Develop and adhere to all team budgets. 20. Other projects/duties as assigned for the overall benefit of the Company. Minimum Education and/or Experience 1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with; Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Political Science, Public Administration, Government Affairs, Business Administration, or a closely related field is required. 2. Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications, government relations, public affairs, public policy, marketing, public administration, or a related field. Electric utility, municipal government, cooperative utility, or public power experience is strongly preferred. 3. Demonstrated experience developing corporate-level written communications including reports, presentations, policy briefings, legislative summaries, speeches, press releases, and strategic communications. 4. Demonstrated experience managing multiple complex projects simultaneously while successfully meeting deadlines in a fast-paced professional environment. 5. Experience building productive working relationships with elected officials, executive leadership, government agencies, community organizations, media representatives, consultants, and diverse stakeholder groups. 6. Demonstrated experience leading projects, coordinating cross-functional teams, supervising consultants, or progressively increasing leadership responsibilities is preferred. 7. Experience with digital communications platforms including website content management systems, social media management tools, photography, graphic design software, and multimedia communications is preferred. 8. Experience supporting legislative affairs, regulatory proceedings, advocacy initiatives, strategic planning, or organizational communications is highly desirable. Specific knowledge required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the position include: 1. Thorough knowledge of professional communications principles including internal and external communications, public relations, branding, media relations, digital communications, marketing, and stakeholder engagement. 2. Working knowledge of legislative processes, public policy development, government affairs, advocacy strategies, and regulatory environments affecting public power and municipal electric utilities. 3. Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, website content management systems, social media platforms, photography, videography, presentation software, and other communications technologies. 4. Knowledge of organizational branding principles, graphic design standards, publication development, and digital marketing best practices. 5. Knowledge of crisis communications principles, emergency public information procedures, and strategic communications planning. 6. Knowledge of public power, the electric utility industry, legislative affairs, and governmental operations is strongly preferred. 7. Commitment to continuous professional development while maintaining current knowledge of emerging communications technologies, legislative developments, and industry best practices. Specific skills required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the position include: 1. Exceptional written communication skills with demonstrated ability to prepare professional reports, executive correspondence, policy briefings, presentations, legislative summaries, speeches, publications, and media communications requiring minimal executive editing. 2. Outstanding verbal communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate with executive leadership, elected officials, Board members, member communities, consultants, media representatives, and the general public. 3. Excellent planning, organizational, prioritization, project management, and time management skills while successfully managing multiple competing priorities. 4. Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to evaluate complex information, identify organizational impacts, and develop practical recommendations. 5. Excellent research skills with the ability to gather, interpret, summarize, and communicate technical, legislative, regulatory, and policy information in a manner understandable to diverse audiences. 6. Strong graphic design, photography, presentation development, website management, and multimedia communications skills. 7. Excellent proofreading and editing skills with exceptional attention to detail and organizational consistency. 8. Strong customer service skills demonstrating professionalism, diplomacy, responsiveness, discretion, and sound judgment. 9. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality while exercising integrity, professionalism, and ethical decision-making. 10. Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities while maintaining a positive, solution-oriented, and collaborative approach. Specific abilities required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the position include: 1. Ability to advocate for DEMEC's officially adopted legislative positions while maintaining political neutrality and separating personal views from professional responsibilities. 2. Ability to independently manage complex communications, public affairs, legislative support, and organizational initiatives with minimal supervision. 3. Ability to represent DEMEC professionally before elected officials, regulatory agencies, member communities, media organizations, consultants, industry associations, and the public. 4. Ability to establish, develop, and maintain productive working relationships with executive leadership, employees, Board members, member communities, elected officials, government agencies, consultants, vendors, and external stakeholders. 5. Ability to prepare complex executive reports, strategic plans, legislative analyses, presentations, policy recommendations, budgets, and organizational communications. 6. Ability to effectively communicate technical, regulatory, legislative, and policy information to both technical and non-technical audiences. 7. Ability to simultaneously manage multiple high-profile assignments while consistently meeting deadlines and organizational expectations. 8. Ability to maintain professionalism, composure, and sound judgment during emergencies, crisis communications, legislative issues, and other high-pressure situations. 9. Ability to anticipate organizational needs, demonstrate initiative, and proactively identify opportunities to improve communications, government relations, member engagement, and operational effectiveness. 10. Ability to quickly learn, interpret, and apply DEMEC policies, procedures, strategic objectives, and Board direction while exercising independent professional judgment. 11. Ability to consistently demonstrate the highest standards of integrity, accountability, professionalism, ethical conduct, and stewardship while representing DEMEC internally and externally. 12. Ability to travel frequently throughout Delaware and occasionally outside the State to attend meetings, conferences, legislative sessions, training, member events, industry functions, and other organizational activities.

Pay:

$77,268.00 - $123,650.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance Employee assistance program Flexible spending account Health insurance Life insurance Paid parental leave Paid time off Parental leave Professional development assistance Retirement plan Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance

Education:

Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

of monitoring legislative & policy developments: 3 years (Preferred) written & verbal communication : 3 years (Preferred)

Work Location:

In person