January 2023
Job Description
Position Title: Communications & Public Affairs Manager
Reports To: EHCMA Executive Director (ED)
Summary: This new position will be responsible for managing all communications, digital media, marketing and public affairs efforts for the East Harris County Manufacturers Association.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Manage all media relations, public relations, and crisis communications efforts and initiatives for the organization; serve as primary contact for all media inquiries and media spokesperson, as required
- Create and implement EHCMA’s communications plan which conveys EHCMA goals, objectives, programs and services to targeted stakeholders, and includes a strategic marketing and outreach strategy to raise the profile and brand awareness of EHCMA and the petrochemical / oil & gas industry in the East Harris County region, with focus on community outreach, public policy makers and media relations
- Position EHCMA as a world class trade association via communications efforts, with special emphasis on adding value for members
- Lead EHCMA’s rebranding initiative as part of communications strategy
- Collaborate with external service providers to develop and execute public-facing print, social and digital communications
- Develop, coordinate and manage industry outreach, communications, editorial and educational content
- Oversee industry research (and/or work with EHCMA partners on local, state and federal level) as necessary to develop statistics, infographics, charts and other presentation tools to assist with industry communications
- Follow chemical industry and oil & gas industry trends and media stories; share with ED regularly
- Develop issue stand-by/holding statements and other communication tools to execute tactics necessary to implement EHCMA’s strategic communications plan
- Identify and execute opportunities for editorial board meetings, media tours and feature stories
- Back up ED during crisis situations/incidents, including but not limited to advising member companies on crisis and issues management
- Develop relationships with business, industry and community organizations and/or key influencers to help develop early awareness of issues, concerns, opposition campaigns targeted toward industry
- Develop and manage grassroots stakeholder engagement tracking tools to drive action and monitor relationships
- Support the oversight of the EHCMA and Petrochem Works websites to ensure content /information quality, accuracy and timely updates; coordinate with EHCMA ED, administration vendor/team, committees, partners and member companies’ staff to post/feature relevant information
- Manage Petrochem Works communication efforts as part of EHCMA work, including social media
- Write electronic newsletter (frequency to be determined per communications strategy) and e-blast content; supervise design and distribution in collaboration with association management firm
- Organize and implement member special events and meetings per communications strategy
- Lead communications for annual Petrochem Works Golf Tournament, including event promotion and sponsor publicity
- Write and publish press releases as needed; identify and solicit external expertise as needed; manage and maintain media database / contacts
- Serve as liaison to EHCMA Communications Committee and other committees as determined necessary for communications purposes. Create meeting summaries as needed and distribute to teams
- Serve as primary communications contact with the following:
- Texas Chemical Council
- American Chemistry Council
Industry trade periodicals - Media
- Service providers offering communications assistance
- Communications leaders for regional stakeholder groups; i.e., chambers of commerce, municipalities, communications and public affairs leaders at member companies
- Provide communications support and assistance to ED as needed
- Assist with special projects as assigned
Other Responsibilities
- Assist with Annual Meeting planning and implementation
- Create and distribute “value add” updates and annual summary for members
- Attend community advisory panel meetings in coordination with ED
- Act as delegate when ED cannot attend important functions/meetings
- Assist with development of programs and other communications for meetings and events
- Manage external mailing list in collaboration with association management firm for targeted external communications
- Stay abreast of current marketing communications and technology
- Identify and manage process to track and analyze brand, image & reputation of EHCMA
- Assist with design and procurement of EHCMA stationery and business communications tools
- Create presentations, slide decks (PowerPoint), run of shows and remarks as needed
- Coordinate with association management firm on the creation and management of trade show and display materials, collateral, etc.
- Perform other duties as required and directed by the ED
Requirements
- Bachelors in Communications, Public Affairs or Marketing
- 10+ years’ experience in corporate communications, digital media firm, or public affairs consulting
- Petrochemical and/or oil and gas Industry experience is preferred
- Non-profit experience is preferred
- Knowledge of and experience with key stakeholders is a plus
- Ability to communicate in Spanish is a plus
- Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills
- Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills – AP Style writing experience preferred
- Ability to operate as an effective tactical and strategic thinker
- Ability to work with and lead teams
- Ability to work with lean resources – “go-getter”
- Detail-oriented, organized self-starter who can work independently and with minimal supervision
- Team player with positive attitude, great people skills and resourcefulness
- Superior ability to prioritize and manage time efficiently, can multi-task effectively, consistently meets deadlines, mentally agile, able to shift gears quickly, self-disciplined to stay on task
- Exceptional listening skills; can follow verbal directions with minimal support and deliver accurate product / outcomes
- Problem solving mindset: Figure It Out (FIO)
- Can-do attitude, honest, responsible, dedicated, enthusiastic, eager to learn, stays calm in the midst of chaos
- Software Knowledge
- Adobe Acrobat / Creative Cloud
- Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word & PowerPoint)
- Database management software / CRM
- Other graphic/scanner/photo software as needed
- Podcast software & equipment technical knowledge
Travel, Work Location
- This is a hybrid position requiring flexibility to ensure in-person availability when needed for meetings, events and community outreach
- Travel required about 10%
About EHCMA
The East Harris County Manufacturers Association (EHCMA) is a non-profit professional coalition of 115 plant sites at the largest petrochemical complex in the world, managed by corporations dedicated to providing jobs, upholding environmental standards and providing a better quality of life for their neighbors in and around the Greater Houston area. EHCMA member companies span 10 cities, seven outreach areas and three ports. They represent 25,000 employees and drive the area economy with a $12 billion impact through taxes, payrolls, purchases and capital expenditures. EHCMA is committed to delivering value to its members with health, safety, environmental responsibility and economic growth in mind by creating opportunities for best practice sharing as well as engaging in emergency response partnerships, advocacy and ongoing communication with members and the community.
How To Apply
To apply, please send a cover letter (with salary requirements), resume and three writing samples to apply@ehcma.org. No phone calls, please.
Resumes accepted through February 17, 2023.