Communications and Public Affairs Director

Build an exciting, rewarding career with us – help us make a difference for millions of people every day. Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you’ll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits. This experienced individual provides integrated external and internal communications and public affairs support for key company initiatives that advance and promote Duke Energy’s clean energy transition, with an eye toward constructive federal policies that support our customers, communities and business. Leveraging their familiarity with and expertise from the public and private sector, the successful candidate must be experienced in providing strategic recommendations and guidance to senior executives. This individual will provide direct communications counsel and public affairs support to the senior vice president who oversees federal government affairs, public affairs advocacy & strategy, and communications for Duke Energy and is based in Washington, D.C. Responsibilities

• Enhances the company’s reputation and builds understanding and advocacy for the company’s net- zero strategy through effective public affairs and communications.
• Leveraging the tools of advocacy, engagement, and communications, including media relations, works effectively with internal and external stakeholders to further federal policy positions, which serve our customers, communities and business.
• Identifies and generates media opportunities for specific company initiatives through pitching story ideas, conducting media interviews and participating in external events.
• Based upon knowledge of the business and Washington, DC community, develops executive positioning strategies and actions, identifying unique opportunities to further distinguish our corporate brand with key influencers. Works collaboratively with external stakeholders to identify and help advance their priorities on issues that don’t conflict with corporate goals.
• Develops integrated public affairs and communications plans for complex issues and events, providing rapid response and supporting internal and/or external alignment as needed.
• Develops relationships with key media members, thought leaders and influencers in DC.
• Manages the sponsorship and advertising plan for Washington D.C. initiatives to ensure our clean energy corporate strategy is appropriately visible and understood.
• Prepares speeches, presentations, talking points, briefing documents and other communication materials for key external and internal meetings.
• Provides communication counsel to senior leaders on specific issues and develops prep materials.
• Collaborates with peers at other organizations, companies and trade associations. Represents company at external events, educational forums and stakeholder meetings.
• Serves as part of Duke Energy’s crisis communications team and participates in storm/emergency response.
• Works well independently and in a highly matrixed environment with minimal guidance.

Required/Basic Qualifications

• Four-year college degree in communications, journalism, public relations, political science or related field.
• In addition to a degree, seven (7) years of work-related experience.
• In lieu of a degree, fifteen (15) years of work experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Highly motivated and strategic individual who can generate measurable results and work with minimal direction or supervision.
• 10 years+ related experience.
• Experience in the energy sector and public affairs, government affairs or public policy matters. Prior corporate experience preferred.
• Strong experience working with the media, including on-the-record and on-camera, developing news releases and media messages, developing and maintaining relationships with reporters and conducting interviews with the media or preparing subject matter experts for media interviews.
• Demonstrated success in consensus building and problem solving.
• Strong writer (knowledge of AP style preferred) and verbal communicator, including experience preparing executive speeches, presentations, talking points, briefing documents and other communication materials for key external and internal meetings. Writing samples may be requested.
• Accreditation in Public Relations.

Hybrid – Work will be performed from both remote and onsite locations after the onboarding period. However, hybrid employees should live within a reasonable commute to the designated Duke Energy facility.