Sr. Public Affairs & Communications Strategist; Hybrid - La Crosse, WI

Position: Sr. Public Affairs & Communications Strategist (Hybrid - La Crosse, WI)
Location: Northern

Are you ready to join an organization where we focus on People First, have fun at work and make a difference in what we do?

Dairyland is proud of our People First culture centered around appreciation, celebrating wins and collaboration. We’ve worked hard to ensure alignment between our culture and our processes and systems, learning and development and rewards and recognition programs.  As a team, we work together to leverage the team’s diverse perspectives, ideas and experiences to deliver nothing less than the best. We are collaborative, transparent and committed to our People and their work experience, growth and professional development.

*** Hiring Salary Range: $155,800 - $233,700
**** Compensation is determined by a combination of factors, including but not limited to education, work experience, and certifications. The actual offer may vary, reflecting the candidate's unique blend of experience, educational background, and skill level
* ** PURPOSE**:
Provides enterprise-level strategic leadership for public affairs and communications for Dairyland’s pipeline project and other assigned high-profile initiatives. As a senior individual contributor, this role independently develops, owns and leads communications strategy; serves as the principal project media relations representative; advises the Director, CEO and other executive leaders on media strategy, reputational risk and significant stakeholder issues; and directs coordinated issue response in high-profile and high-conflict settings.

The position operates with substantial autonomy within established approval and escalation protocols, remains accountable for communications outcomes and keeps project management and executive leadership timely informed of material developments, risks and decisions.  
*
* ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

*** Develops, owns and leads the public affairs, communications and stakeholder engagement strategy for the pipeline project and other assigned high-profile initiatives. Establishes strategic priorities, key messages, engagement plans, issue narratives and campaign approaches based on project objectives, regulatory and permitting considerations, stakeholder insights, research, analytics and approved business strategy, and remains accountable for communications outcomes.
* Serves as the principal project media relations representative and lead public-facing spokesperson for assigned initiatives. Represents Dairyland in sensitive interviews, public meetings, open houses, challenging stakeholder forums and other high-profile or high-conflict settings; maintains message discipline; responds to difficult questions; and leads coordinated issue response within approved messaging and established escalation protocols.
* Serves as a direct strategic advisor to the Director, CEO and other executive leaders on media strategy, reputational risk, stakeholder dynamics and significant public affairs issues. Anticipates emerging concerns and opposition, assesses potential enterprise and project impact, and provides clear recommendations to protect Dairyland’s reputation, public trust and project viability.
* Exercises independent authority to make day-to-day communications decisions, adjust tactics, coordinate responses, approve routine project communications within established strategy and messaging, and elevate matters with material legal, regulatory, reputational, financial or enterprise implications for Director, executive or Legal review. Operates autonomously while promptly keeping project management and executive leadership informed of significant developments, risks, decisions and outcomes.
* Leads communication planning and execution for public engagement, education, advocacy, community outreach, project-related…