Collaborates within the Corporate Communications department, and specifically within the Internal Communications team, working with internal and external stakeholders. The Lead Communications Specialist will be responsible for the development, management, execution and measurement of communication programs and serving on assigned project-based teams, as needed, with a focus on employee engagement, culture and effective and innovative outreach.

• Serves as the lead Corporate Communications representative for select internal stakeholder groups and strategic communications advisor, providing guidance, identifying effective tactics and evaluating results.
• Provides proactive counsel on strategic direction to corporate leadership, business leaders, colleagues and other stakeholders, with a focus on achieving business objectives.
• Develops and implements strategic communication plans, working with key internal stakeholders and aligning with company goals and objectives. Includes recommending key messages, strategies, timing and specific channels and incorporating analytics and measurement for results.
• Aims to follow and implement standard communications process to ensure consistency.
• Coordinates employee events, including project-specific occurrences.
• Serves as project manager for company projects, as needed.
• Develops and manages the production of a wide variety of organizational communication materials, including fact sheets, articles, presentations, speeches, videos/vlogs, emails, intranet articles, brochures, posters, digital signage, etc.
• Manages content for the company's intranet, including posting news stories, developing and editing new content and ongoing maintenance.
• Adept at communicating complex information that is easily consumed.
• Implements best practices and improves processes and deliverables proactively. Possess a continuous improvement mindset and identifies opportunities and solutions.
• Collaborates closely with the Utility Marketing team, including graphic designers, to produce attractive and effective communication materials.
• Serves on the emergency response communications team, potentially in a variety of communication roles. May be required work extensive hours at CenterPoint Energy locations during a crisis response.

• Bachelor'sDegree in Strategic Communications, Public Relations or a related area of study from an accredited college or university

• A minimum of 7 years of communications experience
• Experience leading teams to solve significant problems/issues, including interpreting complex information and developing recommendations for management consideration
• Experience serving as a project lead or task force member on projects and/or issues having a significant impact on the business
• Experience producing communication materials (e.g., key messages, employee emails, intranet articles, presentations, talking points, speeches)
• Experience working with and consulting senior leaders
• Integrated, multi-channel communications experience
• Experience translating technical information into layperson's terms
• Demonstrated skills and knowledge in leveraging both digital and traditional channels to create impactful communications that drive awareness and engagement
• Proven ability to craft substantive communications, sometimes at a rapid pace
• Proven multi-tasker

• Energysector and/or utility industry experience
• Experience in crisis response, including in an Incident Command System (ICS)
• Experience within a matrix organization
• A communications generalist and utility player with broad experience and the ability to flex and adapt to team and organizational needs
• A creative, highly motivated, detail-oriented self-starter
• Able to work independently to accomplish goals and objectives
• Able to perform with poise under tight deadlines and shifting priorities; can successfully navigate fast-paced situations
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Exceptional written and oral communications skills
• Exceptional project and time management skills