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Director – Media Relations, Alpha Natural Resources, Bristol VA USA

 

About Alpha Natural Resources

Alpha Natural Resources is one of the largest and most regionally diversified coal suppliers in the United States. With mining operations in Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Wyoming, Alpha supplies metallurgical coal to the steel industry and thermal coal to generate power to customers on five continents.  Alpha is committed to being a leader in mine safety with our Running Right process, and an environmental steward in the communities where we operate. For more information, visit Alpha’s official website at www.alphanr.com.

 

Job Summary:

Responsible for leading the planning and execution of external communications and public relations, media relations, and issues tracking for Alpha. The Director of Media Relations will cultivate and sustain relationships with national, regional, local, trade and specialty media.

This individual will proactively identify and pursue news stories that demonstrate Alpha’s business vision and leadership attributes in the coal industry, and the company’s commitment to sound environmental practices and occupational safety, as well as other topics that advance its relationships with key stakeholders. Working in partnership with Alpha leadership, and working closely with the VP of Corporate Communications and Alpha’s PR agency of record, the director will regularly strategize, develop and execute proactive and reactive media engagement activities with top-tier consumer media and trade media as well as important regional and local outlets. The director will serve as a company spokesperson. In addition, this individual will explore public relations opportunities for Alpha by leveraging social media channels, and will produce other executive communications such as presentations, speeches, op eds, letters and blog posts as required.

 

Primary Responsibilities:·

 

*   Leads all media relations activities for Alpha involving mainstream

and trade media

*   Manages ongoing relationships and interactions with reporters and

serve as the principal company spokesperson

*   Provides strategic communications counsel for Alpha leadership around

sensitive issues and advise how to handle news coverage

*   Anticipates, tracks and responds to emerging issues that have a direct

impact on the business and the overall reputation of Alpha

*   Leads Alpha’s corporate risk communications committee and prepares for

impending issues as needed including development of talking points, press statements and positions

*   Administers crisis communications plan and communications team

protocol

*   Administers Alpha’s media training program, managing outside resources

to prepare select management and subject matter experts for interactions with the media

*   Counsels business units on handling local and regional media issues

*   Partners closely with industry organizations, as well as internal

colleagues (e.g., investor relations, government affairs, legal, human resources), to ensure alignment of messaging and coordination of processes for timely, consistent and compelling communication to all stakeholders

*   Manages drafting, approval and dissemination of all nonfinancial news

releases, with assistance from outside wire service and outside agency support. Maintain updated media lists.

*   Manages Alpha’s PR firm of record and other external vendors and

oversee media monitoring/analysis/distribution

*   Manages and develops content and interaction for external-facing

digital properties (e.g., alphanr.com; Facebook; Twitter; YouTube; LinkedIn)

*   Produces executive speeches, presentations, papers, op-eds, and other

executive communications as needed

*   Assists with other departmental projects and events as needed

Job Requirements :

 

*   Bachelor’s degree in journalism, mass communications, public relations

or related field

*   Minimum of 7 years of relevant corporate communications experience, as

well as demonstrated “hands-on” expertise in media relations and in developing and successfully managing a comprehensive external communications program (both proactive and reactive)

*   Ability to think on feet and orally communicate in a concise yet

persuasive manner

*   Excellent writing and editing skills and ability to present complex

information in an interesting and compelling way

*   Demonstrated creativity and initiative working with internal partners

to identify opportunities to generate favorable news coverage

*   Clip file of on-the-record spokesperson examples

*   Demonstrated ability to provide strategic communications council

across a wide range of management levels and across divisions/departments

*   Demonstrated ability to build ongoing relationships with key reporters

and place stories in key media outlets

*   Excellent interpersonal, organizational and presentation skills and

ability to work collaboratively in a team-focused environment and mentor/manage junior associates

*   Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs and basic social media

platforms

*   Sound business judgment, highest integrity and a commitment to quality

and accuracy

*   Willingness to develop a social media profile on behalf of Alpha

*   Strong desire and demonstrated self-initiative to take on new

responsibilities and accountabilities that help further career progression

 

General Job Requirements:

 

*   Works with integrity and ethics and maintains confidentiality

*   Demonstrates the necessary energy and initiative to successfully

complete job duties as summarized and defined, and assume new responsibilities and accountabilities

*   Exhibits outstanding interpersonal skills to work in and promotes a

team oriented atmosphere

*   Responds in a timely manner to internal and external requests with a

high commitment to prompt and courteous customer service

*   Listens objectively to others’ views and be open to change, new ideas

and different perspectives

*   Uses time efficiently and set goals and objectives

*   Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness and look for ways to improve

and promote quality

*   Demonstrates initiative and creativity

*   Manages and prioritizes multiple simultaneous projects with

overlapping schedules and deadlines

To submit your resumé, click

here:

https://alphanr.mua.hrdepartment.com/hr/ats/Posting/view/523