Community Relations and Communications Manager in West Nyack, New York

Company Description

About Veolia North America

A subsidiary of Veolia Group, Veolia North America (VNA) offers a full spectrum of water, waste and energy management services, including water, and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. VNA helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education, and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Mass., Veolia North America has approximately 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across the continent. Please visit our website www.veolianorthamerica.com.

Job Description

Pay Rate: $125000 to a maximum of $135000 Per Year.

BENEFITS

Veolia’s comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off policies, as well as health, dental and vision insurance. In addition, employees are also entitled to participate in an employer sponsored 401(k) plan, to save for retirement. Pay and benefits for employees represented by a union are outlined in their collective bargaining agreement.

Position Purpose:

The Veolia North America Communications Department is responsible for helping shape and execute communications strategy for the company, advance key priorities and strategy to broad and diverse audiences, and connect these priorities to national, state and local conversations. The department also manages the daily operation of the Veolia’s central communications channels, including the website and social media accounts, guides the company’s media engagement, and provides strategic communications counsel.

The Manager, Communications and Community Relations is responsible for the consistent articulation of the Veolia mission through comprehensive internal and external communication and stakeholder programs for local utility operations in New York. Works under the direction of the Vice President, Utility Communications and closely with the local General Manager and operations managers to deliver communications that align with and support both company and local goals. He/she is intimately familiar with water and/or wastewater operations and the industry, customer communications, employee engagement, media relations, community relations and stakeholder management.

The Manager, Communications and Community Relations helps develop and implement strategic, comprehensive and professional communications and community programs that educate customers, community groups, employees and other stakeholders about the Veolia brand and company objectives.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities:

• Develops and implements Customer First communications, community relations and external and internal stakeholder plans with strong emphasis on local projects and initiatives and national and global objectives.

• Writes local communications, including strategic plans, articles, press releases, speeches/presentations, etc.

• Supports communications performance targets and goals established by Corporate Communications and the local business unit.

• Manages local website, social media and digital networks, providing consistently fresh and relevant content.

• Manages the Communications budgets of local territory.

• Other activities as deemed appropriate.

Key Focus Areas:

Customer First Communications

• Develop communications that seek to increase satisfaction, brand perception and support a Customer First organization.

• Satisfy customer preferences by applying an omni-channeled approach that includes a variety of digital and traditional communications channels.

• Create and execute communications programs for targeted stakeholder segments, including informational sessions, stakeholder dialogues and customer advisory groups.

• Under the direction of the Vice President, Utility Communications and in collaboration with communications directors/managers across the division, contribute to the development of company-wide strategic communications plans and programs.

• Monitors, collects and analyzes customer data, including the identification of trending / emerging issues, including but not limited to customer advisory panels, stakeholder dialogues, client research, social media, customer web behavior, focus groups, surveys and customer service centers. Incorporate learnings with the aim of creating Customer First solutions.

Employee Engagement

• Develop rich and meaningful internal communications that promote safety, spotlight capital projects, champion change, foster employee pride, and inspire commitment to company goals.

• Celebrate employees and their contributions through various company platforms and activities (award programs, newsletters, social media, storytelling, participation in company activities, e.g.)

Community Relations

• Accountability for and oversight of the local company’s Corporate Social Responsibility Programs (community and civic functions).

• Foster an inclusive external culture by building and maintaining relationships with local community NGOs and other influential stakeholders and incorporating their input where appropriate.

• Develop community programs that further educate stakeholders on company initiatives, the water industry and the Veolia brand, including school programs, facility tours and community events.

• Manage local company’s charitable giving program and ensure alignment with corporate goals and policy.

Media

• Develop compelling stories and generate leads that cultivate journalists’ interest in the Veolia brand. Convert meaningful conversations to earned placement.

• Develop social media and digital content that champions the brand and supports local business strategies and goals.

• Develop articles and pitch stories beyond local media reach to include industry and trade publications and national media where appropriate.

Other Key Stakeholders

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with influential community and civic organizations and elected and municipal officials.

• Keep external stakeholders informed of company practices, business decisions, and programs which impact customers and the community. Build stakeholder loyalty and satisfaction by responding with urgency to requests and concerns.

• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of state and local current affairs issues. Be the lead contact between strategic external stakeholders and company operations.

Crisis Communications

• Act with expedience to develop and implement customer communications during emergencies. Command the use of multiple tactics and channels, accounting for customer preferences.

• Act as communications adviser for local leadership and foster communications best practice.

• Provide support for other business operations as may be needed.

Qualifications

Education/Experience/Background:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, English, Journalism, Public Relations or related field is required.

• Master’s degree preferred.

• Total work experience of 5+ years in media, communications and/or public relations.

• Working knowledge of the water services or utility industry, a strong plus.

• Sound communications experience and skills, including professional and creative writing, media relations, internal and external stakeholder communications, community relations, public speaking, etc. required.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Development of comprehensive Customer First communications external and internal programs that support local, national and global business objectives and initiatives.

• Exceptional writing and speaking skills with the ability to construct compelling stories that promote the company’s objectives, brand and its employees.

• Data analysis skills with the ability to identify trends (particularly customer feedback) and facilitate action plans.

• Strong relationship-building skills with customers, employees, elected officials, regulators, journalists, and other key stakeholders.

• Thorough knowledge of traditional and digital communications and advertising, social media strategy and tactics, and visual and web content.

• Knowledge of communication technologies including web, e-mail, print, graphics and AV production.

• Demonstrated success in event planning and promotion.

• Strong project management and organizational skills, and ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to work with and engage management and employees of all levels.

• Ability to deliver targeted results to specification at cost and on schedule.

• Good balance of technical/task and people/team leadership skills and orientation.

• Excellent negotiating, networking, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to effectively manage external agencies and vendors.

• Intermediate working knowledge of Google and Microsoft applications.

• Must be available for weekend and evening activities, as needed.

Physical Requirements:

• Office job location in New York.

• 25% travel required.

Additional Information

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer! All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.