Chief Communications & Strategy Officer

Position Summary

The Chief Communications & Strategy Officer (CCSO) at New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) is responsible for developing, implementing, and directing the organization's Communications and Strategic Planning programs. The CCSO will embody a people-first leadership approach, fostering collaboration throughout the organization and setting the direction for transforming NBU's communications and strategic planning frameworks while strengthening the company’s brand.

The CCSO will lead the organization’s innovative communications efforts utilizing traditional and digital communications channels and platforms and ensuring internal and external stakeholders, including Board of Trustees, NBU leadership, employees, customers, community groups and leaders, media, and government officials and agencies are informed in a transparent and proactive manner.

The CCSO will be responsible for building and maintaining awareness of NBU’s essential services, projects, and brand image through creative development, critical service communication management, public relations, and all community outreach efforts. The CCSO will lead the Communications team with trust, accountability, creative openness, and empowerment.

With a focus on strategic vision and leadership, the CCSO will ensure that all communications and strategies align with NBU’s overarching goals, maintain message consistency, uphold the brand image, and reflect the organization's One Utility, One Team culture. By emphasizing NBU’s core values of Safety, Team, Integrity, Culture, and Stewardship, the CCSO will drive efforts to ensure that every communication and strategic initiative reinforces these principles, driving towards unified objectives and enhancing stakeholder engagement.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Communications Functions:

• Serves as the principal advisor to the CEO, Board of Trustees, NBU leaders and other officials on matters related to the dissemination of information to the public and media concerning the NBU's programs, events, issues, challenges, and opportunities

• Develops and implements comprehensive communication strategies that enhance the company’s reputation and stakeholder relationships

• Makes recommendations and implements communication methods that enhance understanding of and/or addresses public concerns about government, operations, and projects

• Develops and delivers executive communications programs, including speeches, presentations, and talking points

• Responsible for overseeing the management of relationships with the media to ensure quality and accurate dissemination of information; monitors news coverage and trends; provides rapid assessment of issues that may affect NBU and/or the public

• Develops strategic and proactive communication plans to promote transparency and citizen engagement

• Navigates the complexities of a multifaceted regulated utility, understanding the unique challenges of the regulatory environment to deliver successful communication outcomes

• Participates in the development, production, and approval process of content across all print and digital platforms, including but not limited to PSA’s, video projects, website, social media, slide shows, etc.

• Translates business strategies and issues of the business and drives public affairs practices and processes that will create an effective organization

• Oversees the management of NBU's brand across all platforms, ensuring brand consistency; leads branding initiatives to enhance visibility and reputation

• Coordinates internal communications, ensuring that employees are informed and engaged with the company's mission, values, and initiatives

• Fosters a sense of purpose, teamwork, and employee engagement through effective internal communications, ensuring compliance with regulatory guidelines

• Creates and benchmarks effective KPI’s to understand impacts of NBU communication strategies

• Manages crisis situations by leading crisis communications efforts

• Oversees the management and monitoring of social media including Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and others

Strategic Functions:

• Responsible for developing and facilitating NBU’s Strategic Planning Process in order to advance NBU’s mission, objectives, operational excellence, and growth as an organization

• Contributes to and monitors progress towards the achievement of NBU’s Strategic Plan by ensuring that organization-wide key performance indicators and levels of service drive the culture and performance of and are in alignment with NBU’s Vision

• Assists in the development, thought management, and assessment of metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of various programs and initiatives as set forth in NBU's Strategic initiatives for reporting departments

• Consults with executive team to identify critical business needs and/or assists in the design of effective solutions as they support NBU’s strategic goals; works with the executive team to define long- and short-term goals and objectives

• Understands NBU’s strategy and objectives to develop and drive execution of internal and external communication programs

• Develops and implements strategies to cultivate a positive and inclusive organizational culture, considering the specific needs and constraints of the industry

• Uses data-driven insights to drive strategic recommendations and actions

• Regularly reports on progress towards strategic goals to the executive team and leadership

• Uses data analytics and reporting tools to drive insights and inform decision-making

General Responsibilities:

• Maintains regular attendance; leave schedule should be managed so as to not interfere with ability to accomplish tasks, including special projects and assignments with deadlines

• Inspires and supports organizational leader initiatives to engage and empower their teams by creating communication awareness opportunities tied to achieving NBU’s Strategic Plan

• Adheres to NBU safety guidelines and practices at all times and in all situations

• Maintains a clean and safe work area, office, field site, and vehicle as applicable

• Oversees NBU’s Volunteer Program and supports social responsibility

• Develops and maintains effective customer service skills for communications with co-workers, customers, and the public in general

• Maintains strict confidentiality of business, employee, and customer information in written and oral communications and safeguards sensitive documents

• Adheres to NBU policies and procedures

• Exemplifies NBU Core Values of Safety, Team, Integrity, Culture, and Stewardship

• Participates in and supports initiatives to achieve annual strategic goals and annual priorities

Formal Education and Work Experience Requirements

Degree/Diploma Obtained: Bachelors

Work Experience Time Frame: Five Years or More

Field of Study: Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related field

Other: Nine plus years’ experience with a minimum of three years’ supervisory experience may substitute for Bachelor’s degree. Or, an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Certification and Licensures Requirements

• Must possess a valid Texas Driver's License and acceptable driving record is required.

• IABC's Communication Management Professional (CMP) or Strategic Communication Management Professional (SCMP) certification, PRSA's Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) or, other similar professional accreditation is desirable but not required.

Other Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge and experience in one or more of the following communications fields: internal and/or external communications, media relations, public speaking, marketing, strategic communications, public relations, journalism, or mass communications.

• Strong written and oral communication skills.

• Knowledge of municipal government/public sector leadership, principles and practices, including budgeting and fiscal responsibility; operations, policies and procedures is a plus.

• Demonstrated people leadership and success in developing team members.

• Possesses strong competence in: servant leadership and collaboration; emotional intelligence and empathy; ethical stewardship and integrity; and strategic thinking.

• Outstanding interpersonal relationship building, coaching, conflict resolution skills, with an ability to bring people together to solve problems.

• Strong project management and organizational skills. Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.

• Knowledge and experience with social media channels required. Knowledge of social monitoring tools, such as Sprout Social a plus.

• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with City employees, officials, and representatives from other local, state and Federal agencies.

• Monitoring and controlling the confidentiality of City information, according to the standards of the Privacy Act of 1974.

• It is preferable that all executive leaders reside in at least one of three NBU service territories.