Communications Director

Purpose of the Job

Imagine being part of a team that supplies the essential element for life. Water is the very foundation of this planet, the life-giving essence in all of us. Driven, knowledgeable, and passionate about this essential resource, the South Carolina Water Utilities team, a subsidiary of SouthWest Water, is in the business of delivering a product everyone uses and depends on. We're proud of our work. We make a difference in the lives of people by providing them with water and wastewater services daily. Don't wait, the opportunity is now to build our planet's future with South Carolina Water Utilities!

Position Overview

The Director position is intended as a department administrative and leadership position. This position is required to be fully proficient in all of the technical skills required to complete all of the functions of the department. This position is responsible for the administrative and supervisory functions of the department. This position requires coaching and mentoring for leadership and administrative functions from the Business Unit President. This position will develop and implement methodologies and strategies for executing the department’s functions. This position will be required to provide progress updates to the Business Unit President. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Prepare and publish regular internal communication pieces utilizing the company intranet, email, newsletters, presentations, posted notices, and other cost-effective channels.
• Responsible for the maintenance and development of the company’s intranet pages, internet website, and social media presence, enhancing the utility to employees and customers, and encouraging employee usage and engagement.
• Delivers regular, accurate, timely, creative, and engaging communications to all company employees through a range of channels, ensuring ease of access to communications, clarity, and consistency of messaging.
• Works with managers and team leaders to identify appropriate communications to keep staff informed and helps to educate those leaders about when and how best to communicate for effectiveness.
• Participates in public relations events with employees outside of normal business hours and on weekends.
• Develop and implement an internal communications strategy to build employee engagement and increase alignment and execution of the organization’s strategic priorities, including the facilitation of Engagement Committee meetings, and the development of other feedback channels throughout the organization to gauge the effectiveness of different management strategies and communication approaches.
• Responsible for the maintenance and development of the company’s internet website, and social media presence, to enhance the utility of these channels to customers, respond to comments, facilitate customer service, present the company’s best image, and encourage engagement.
• Proactively pursue opportunities and coordinate programs to gain positive public awareness for the company including company-sponsored public events and community events.
• Write and design specific communications pieces, including water quality reports, customer bill stuffers/brochures, special event/display materials, audio-visual presentations, retail newspaper advertising, letters to customers, customer service Q&As, etc.
• Coordinate and facilitate relationships between company leadership and elected officials (city, county, state, water districts, etc.) as well as local agency leaders.
• Maintain a media calendar to track all key events and commitments.
• Work closely with the Regulatory Department to ensure all required communications are delivered accurately and timely to customers.

Competencies

Education

Certifications

Physical Requirements

Work Experience

10+ years of business communications experience, including interaction with media, in a corporate environment. 2+ years of progressive supervisory experience is required. Experience with Procurement, Supplier Diversity and Water Conservation programs is required.