Sr. writer & communications strategist

Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is about more than power. We’re about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas’ Best Places to work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!

We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way. We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:

• Competitive and transparent pay with bonus opportunities
• Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
• Relocation bonus (if applicable)
• Hybrid working environment for positions that are eligible
• Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a pension (defined benefit plan) fully funded by SPP

PLEASE NOTE: SPP is not able to sponsor employment visas or student-work authorizations (STEM OPT) for this position. Please ensure you are eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship prior to applying.

COMPENSATION INFORMATION

The salary range(s) represents our good faith estimate for the role at this time. While we strive to provide competitive and transparent compensation, there may be circumstances where an offer is above or outside of the listed range. We are open to discussing salary expectations with qualified candidates considering factors such as the candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, experience and geographic location will all be considered during the hiring process.

Sr. Writer & Communications Strategist | Salary Range: $77,900.00 - $99,325.00

Join Southwest Power Pool as a Sr. Writer & Communications Strategist!

Overview

Southwest Power Pool is seeking a dynamic Senior Writer and Communications Strategist to help shape how our story is told. In this high-impact role, you will create clear, compelling, and strategic content that strengthens our reputation, supports key business priorities, and connects with audiences that matter most. You will transform complex energy, regulatory, and operational topics into engaging narratives that resonate with policymakers, industry stakeholders, members, media, and the public.

Combining exceptional writing talent with strategic communications expertise, you will play a key role in elevating SPP’s voice and visibility. From executive messaging and media relations to issue response and reputation management, you will lead high-value communications initiatives across multiple channels and formats. Working closely with internal subject matter experts and external agency partners, you will help plan, execute, and measure communications strategies that advance SPP’s mission and long-term goals.

What You'll Do

• Deliver clear, accurate, and compelling written communications across internal and external channels that effectively represent organizational priorities and messaging.
• Prepare executives and leaders for stakeholder and public engagements through well-developed briefings, key messages, and anticipated questions that enable confident, aligned communication.
• Translate complex regulatory, operational, and market information into accessible narratives that inform and influence policymakers, media, and non-technical audiences.
• Lead the development and execution of external communications strategies that strengthen organizational reputation and align with enterprise messaging frameworks.
• Drive effective media engagement by developing messaging, coordinating interactions, and preparing spokespersons to ensure consistent and credible public representation.
• Identify and assess reputational risks and opportunities through monitoring media coverage, public sentiment, and external trends, and recommend proactive communication strategies.
• Ensure accuracy and consistency of enterprise communications by maintaining and leveraging centralized messaging resources, reference materials, and documentation.
• Partner with subject matter experts and stakeholders to gather insights, validate content, and deliver communications that are technically accurate and strategically aligned.
• Lead crisis and issue response communications by delivering timely, audience-appropriate messaging in coordination with leadership, legal, and operational teams.
• Enhance communication effectiveness by evaluating strategies and campaigns, using insights and metrics to improve impact, processes, and team capability.

If you're a strategic writer and communications professional ready to make an impact, shape the conversation, and support the future of energy, apply now.

Qualifications

Education Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, English, technical writing or a related field

Experience Qualifications:

Six (6) years of progressively responsible professional experience in public relations, marketing communications, external communications, executive communication, technical writing or a related field.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement proactive public relations strategies for external audiences.
• Demonstrated experience developing high-quality PR, communications, and media campaigns and content that align across multiple channels and formats.
• Demonstrated experience advising internal leaders and SMEs on messaging, positioning, and communications best practices, including navigating editorial disagreement with technical experts.
• Experience driving measurable outcomes through communications strategies (e.g., media reach, engagement, sentiment).
• Experience working directly with senior leaders or executives.
• Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with leaders and cross-functional teams, including highly technical staff.
• Skill in interpreting complex technical, regulatory, or operational information and translating it into accessible messaging.
• Demonstrated proficiency in structured writing and documentation, including the ability to produce precise, well-organized content that is translatable to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Skilled in developing interview and information-gathering techniques to extract content from subject matter experts where there may be limited availability.
• Successful management of multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to monitor media activity and communicate findings clearly to leadership.

Preferred:

• Experience supporting enterprise communications campaigns or organizational change communications.
• Experience working in a regulated industry, energy sector, utility, or grid/market operations environment.
• Experience collaborating with PR agencies or external consultants to execute campaigns or deliverables.
• Familiarity with digital communication platforms such as website content management systems, email marketing tools, social media platforms, etc.
• Experience supporting executive communications or leadership messaging.
• Familiarity with FERC regulatory processes, RTO/ISO operations, or energy market policy.

Position Type, Location, and Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time hybrid position based in Little Rock, Arkansas, with a minimum of two days in the office each week. The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with occasional extended hours as needed.

Travel Requirement:

This position requires minimal (0-20%) moderate travel.

Southwest Power Pool is an equal opportunity employer that makes employment decisions without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, age, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Further, Southwest Power Pool makes good faith efforts to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans and qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact us at HR@spp.org and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process. At SPP we believe in a culture of belonging. Learn more here: Culture of Belonging - Southwest Power Pool