Senior Communications Specialist - Maui

About the Position

We recognize our competitive advantage -- our people. We believe in our people, who share our vision of meeting the needs of our employees, customers, and communities and who carry out the continued success of the company. Our employees are committed to the company's foundational values: integrity, excellence, teamwork, environmental stewardship, and community commitment. In turn, we invest in our employees, providing opportunities for challenge and advancement and offering a competitive compensation package.

Posting End Date:
This posting will remain open until filled. Early applications are highly encouraged.

The M NI GOVT & COMM AFFAIRS Department of the M GOVT RELATIONS Division at Hawaiian Electric Company has 1 Management vacancy available. (Role: Professional)

Works with management and takes lead role in helping Company prepare for and manage issues through communications planning including technical writing and interpretation of Company issues and regulatory matters. Develops clear, concise and credible communications vital to the Company’s ongoing relationships with its employees, customers, legislators, regulators and other audiences. Serves as an important communications link between Management and all other Company employees.

• Anticipates, analyzes, plans for and manages critical company issues, including action and adaptation for extreme weather events, wildfire and other hazard mitigation efforts, rates and bill impacts, capital projects, community concerns and other technical matters. Develops detailed understanding of political, community, media and technical issues to formulate and implement issues management strategies and contribute to company policy making. Participates on various cross‑functional teams to provide communications/public relations perspectives on company projects with public/community interest.
• Develops, researches, writes and edits news releases, fact sheets, video scripts, backgrounders, newsletters, commentaries, white papers, presentations, blogs and other communication tools for external and internal communications. Creates and/or edits content for digital platforms, including websites, email and social media. Develops detailed plans for, responds to, and prepares others for media inquiries and interviews. Serves as a company spokesperson as directed.
• Coordinates and performs other communications activities including:
  • Providing a full range of internal and external communications and consultative services to other departments, including Customer Service and Government and Community Relations.
  • Preparing speeches and other communication materials for subject matter experts.
  • Delivering presentations on company issues to external audiences.
  • Responding to inquiries from the news media and general public.
  • Writing reports and testimony on complex and technical issues under review by County, State and Federal legislative bodies.
  • Providing content for advertising and promotional materials.
• Participates in Company emergency response activities as assigned, including any activities required to prepare for such emergency response, including development and updating of disaster preparedness materials and communications plans and participation in exercises.

• Working knowledge of communications, journalism, public relations, or closely related discipline, normally acquired through college level coursework or equivalent professional experience.
• Expert knowledge of issues facing Company and industry.
• Expert knowledge of Company operations; working understanding of utility industry operations; working familiarity with varying communities the Company serves.
• Expert knowledge in communications/information dissemination techniques; working understanding of how different audiences use different media channels.
• Expert knowledge of local news media structures, personnel and protocols.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, economic, business and political climates.
• Working knowledge of print production, including layout and design principles and techniques.
• Working knowledge of…