Director, Project & Operations Communications

Director, Project & Operations Communications

Location(s):
Chicago, IL, US, 60654;
Oakland, CA, US, 94612;
Austin, TX, US, 78701

RWE Americas, LLC
To start as soon as possible, full time, permanent
Functional area: Communications
Remuneration: Exempt

The Director, Project & Operations Communications is responsible for leading the strategic direction, execution, and continuous improvement of all communications that support RWE America’s development, permitting, construction, and operational activities nationally. This role oversees a team of regional communications managers as part of a regionally‑matrixed Corporate Affairs team and serves as a senior advisor to regional leadership. The role will also manage a portfolio of regional communications for a key region, leading integrated communications strategies that support business priorities, protect and grow the social license to operate, and enable successful project outcomes.

• Create and oversee the execution of a comprehensive, multi‑year regional communications strategy that supports the full lifecycle of energy projects.
• Serve as strategic communications advisor to executive leadership, counseling on reputational risks, emerging issues, and communications challenges affecting projects or regional operations.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 3 regional communications leaders responsible for project‑level communications across the country.
• Establish regional communications priorities, performance metrics, and governance structures to ensure message discipline and communications excellence across all projects that align with national and corporate objectives.
• Foster a culture of proactive planning, transparent communication, accountability, and continuous improvement within the team.
• Ensure regional communications strategies align with corporate communications, public affairs, and policy priorities by translating national messaging frameworks into regionally relevant plans and maintaining consistent messaging across all project touchpoints.
• Lead high‑level issues management, risk mitigation, rapid response and crisis communications planning across regions, and ensure coordinated cross‑functional alignment.
• Oversee regional media relations and serve as spokesperson when needed for major announcements; prepare executives for public engagements and approve external statements, briefing documents and press materials.
• Lead visibility campaigns that strengthen RWE’s presence, credibility, and overall reputation in a key region (e.g., Central, West or South).
• Work closely with Stakeholder Engagement, Government Affairs, and Development leadership to ensure message discipline and aligned strategies across all external touchpoints.
• Oversee creation of high‑quality community‑facing materials, including stakeholder updates, digital content, project collateral, and presentations.
• Direct regionally tailored digital strategies, including social media, online engagement, and analytics‑driven optimizations.
• Oversee measurement frameworks for communications performance, ensuring analytics, sentiment tracking, and digital insights inform regional and national strategy.

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Government Affairs, or a related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in external communications, public relations, or public affairs, with regional experience preferred.
• Significant experience in energy, infrastructure, or similarly complex regulated industries.
• Demonstrated experience managing and growing a team.
• Proven track record advising executives and navigating high‑stakes reputational issues.
• Proven ability to manage large portfolios and multiple stakeholders, with exceptional project management capabilities.
• Visionary strategic communicator with strong executive presence.
• Deep expertise in issues management.
• Exceptional writing, messaging, and public positioning capabilities.
• Skilled at influencing senior leaders and cross‑functional partners.
• Strong command of digital strategy, analytics, and modern tools.
• Experience managing multiple local and diverse firms.
• Experience driving time‑sensitive,…