Manager - Communications

Manager - Communications

Senior Director - Communications

Reports to Rochester, NY

Work Type: Office

The base salary for this position is dependent upon experience and location ranging from $ 120,000-145,000

What We Offer:
Competitive benefits and growth opportunities
Generous performance‑based bonuses
12% 401(k) match
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance

Tuition reimbursement
Professional development and clear career advancement pathways

For more information please visit: Benefits - Avangrid

Job Summary

Job Summary

Manages and executes communications programs that support Rochester Gas & Electric's business objectives, operations, customers, employees, and external stakeholders. Develops communications plans and materials and manages day-to-day media relations, employee communications, digital content, and community-facing communications while maintaining consistent messaging and brand standards. Partners with Operations, Customer Service, Government and Regulatory Affairs, Community Affairs, Legal, and other internal functions. Supports storm, emergency, and significant-event communications under the direction of the Director - New York Communications and established incident command protocols.

Key Responsibilies·   

• Develop and execute comprehensive communications strategies for issues management, customer engagement, employee communications, and crisis response for RG&E, aligned with Avangrid’s business objectives and enterprise priorities in New York.
• Provide strategic communications counsel to operating company leadership, with accountability for communications planning, rapid response, reputation management, and stakeholder engagement across Avangrid’s New York utilities.
• Shape and advance compelling narratives that strengthen trust and protect the companies’ reputations, in close partnership with Government and Regulatory Affairs, Community Affairs, Legal, Customer Service, Operations, and Brand teams.
• Lead communications programs for RG&E, including media relations, public relations, crisis and issues communications, executive communications, social media, video and photo content, storytelling, and internal and external events, ensuring message discipline and brand consistency.
• Serve as an authorized spokesperson for RG&E, NYSEG, and Avangrid as needed, including responding to sensitive, high-profile, and crisis-related media inquiries.
• Partner with Operations, Customer Service, Community Affairs, and business leaders to identify and develop compelling storytelling, media relations, and public engagement opportunities that highlight infrastructure investments, employee expertise, customer benefits, operational achievements, and community impact.
• Create and oversee multimedia content for digital and social media channels, including videos, photography, employee features, project spotlights, and field-based storytelling that enhances audience engagement and supports business objectives.
• Support communications related to regulatory proceedings, infrastructure projects, reliability initiatives, public policy matters, customer programs, and community engagement efforts throughout Ne York.
• Manage relationships with external agencies, vendors, media partners, and key community and business organizations to ensure timely, effective, and high-quality communications support.
• Coordinate closely with Avangrid communications teams across the company to ensure alignment with enterprise messaging, stakeholder engagement priorities, and corporate reputation strategy.
• Serve as Public Information Officer (PIO) during emergencies, storms, and major operational events, leading communications response efforts and coordinating with internal and external partners, including emergency management agencies, municipal leaders, regulators, customers, and the media.
• Support storm preparedness, response, and restoration communications by developing customer, employee, executive, media, and stakeholder messaging; coordinating media briefings; providing communications support within the incident command structure; and helping ensure accurate, timely, and consistent information throughout emergency events.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or a related field and a minimum of seven years of relevant experience; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Experience developing and editing corporate communications, including press releases, questions and answers, executive messaging, employee communications, and crisis communications.
• Demonstrated written, verbal, editing, presentation, and project-management capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet tight deadlines, and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated judgment and ability to identify and escalate sensitive communications, reputational, regulatory, or stakeholder issues.
• Ability to build effective relationships with leaders and cross-functional partners.
• Experience managing employees, contractors, agencies, vendors, or complex projects, with knowledge of or demonstrated ability to learn the electric and gas utility industry.
• Ability to work nontraditional hours, including nights and weekends, during storms, emergencies, or other business-critical events.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the energy, utility, infrastructure, or another regulated industry.
• Experience supporting storm response, emergencies, crisis communications, or incident command.
• Experience with media relations, digital communications, social media, and multimedia content.
• Familiarity with New York utility stakeholders, regulatory matters, and community engagement.

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Please note that any applicant who is not a citizen of the country of the vacancy will be subject to compliance with the applicable immigration requirements to legally work in that country.

At Avangrid we provide fair and equal employment and advancement opportunities for all employees and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.
If you are an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who is unable to use our online tool to search for or to apply for jobs, you may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting our People and Organization department at [email protected].

Avangrid employees may be assigned a system emergency role and in the event of a system emergency, may be required to work outside of their regular schedule/job duties. This is applicable to employees that will work in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and New York within Avangrid Network and Corporate functions.  This does not include those that will work for Avangrid Power.

Avangrid employees may also be assigned a NERC Reliability Standards compliance role supporting Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) and/or Operations and Planning (O&P) responsibilities. This is applicable to employees that will work in electric transmission, operations, and cyber security business areas in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and New York within Avangrid Network and Corporate business areas. NERC Reliability Standards compliance roles and responsibilities may include additional access protections, training, audit engagement, and required evidence retention, and will be communicated by the employee’s management.

Job Posting End Date: