Manager Employee Communications - Akron Headquarters

FirstEnergy at a Glance

We are a forward-thinking electric utility powered by a diverse team of employees committed to making customers’ lives brighter, the environment better and our communities stronger.

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of more than 3,500 megawatts.

About The Opportunity

This posting is for an open position for a Professional Services Category Specialist with the FirstEnergy Service Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp.

The Manager, Employee Communications is a strategic leader responsible for developing and executing FirstEnergy’s internal communications strategy to engage employees, reinforce company culture, and support organizational objectives. Reporting to the Director, Corporate Communications and partnering closely with senior leadership, this position leads a team of professionals focused on delivering clear, consistent, and compelling messaging across multiple channels.

The Manager drives initiatives that enhance employee understanding of business priorities, foster two-way communication, and strengthen alignment between leadership and employees. This role oversees companywide internal campaigns, change management communications, and engagement programs, ensuring integration with company values and strategic goals. Success requires a proactive mindset, experience in storytelling, and the ability to manage complex projects in a fast-paced environment. The Manager also plays a key role in crisis response, leadership visibility, and continuous improvement of communication effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Leadership

• Develop and implement internal communications strategies that align with corporate objectives and reinforce company culture.
• Partner with senior leadership to ensure messaging supports organizational priorities and change initiatives.
• Lead planning for major internal campaigns, including safety, diversity and inclusion, and employee engagement programs.

Content Development & Channel Management

• Oversee creation of content for intranet, internal newsletters, leadership messages, videos, and digital signage.
• Ensure consistency of tone, voice, and branding across all internal communication platforms.
• Manage editorial calendars and ensure timely delivery of communications.

Employee Engagement & Two-Way Communication

• Drive initiatives that foster dialogue between employees and leadership, including town halls, Q&A sessions, and feedback mechanisms.
• Support HR and business units with messaging for employee programs, benefits, and policy updates.

Change Management Communications

• Develop communication plans for organizational changes, technology implementations, and process improvements.
• Ensure employees understand the rationale, benefits, and impact of changes to minimize disruption and build trust.

Crisis & Emergency Communications

• Lead internal communications during outages, storms, and emergency events; ensure timely, accurate, and reassuring messaging.
• Maintain and enhance protocols for rapid-response communication during critical incidents.

Leadership Visibility & Storytelling

• Shape executive visibility through speeches, talking points, and leadership messages.
• Craft compelling narratives that connect employees to company strategy and values.

Measurement & Continuous Improvement

• Establish KPIs for internal communications; monitor engagement and effectiveness through surveys and analytics.
• Use insights to refine strategies and improve employee experience.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Manage and mentor a team of internal communications professionals; foster a culture of innovation and accountability.
• Collaborate with HR, Operations, IT, and other departments to ensure alignment and integration of messaging

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in corporate communications, public relations, or media relations.
• Proven leadership experience managing teams and complex projects.
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills; ability to simplify technical information for diverse audiences.
• Strong understanding of modern communications technologies, metrics and analysis tools, including AI and enterprise collaboration tools.
• Expertise in crisis communications and stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in a regulated industry, preferably electric or energy utilities is preferred
• Familiarity with regulatory processes and public utility commission communications.
• Knowledge of digital and social media strategies, analytics, and emerging communication technologies
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including ability to effectively structure and present information and recommendations involving complex issues.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work with all levels of employees and leadership.
• Desire to learn, grow and work across FirstEnergy, and deliver quality and accurate work within established deadlines.
• Ability to juggle multiple projects and prioritize work in a dynamic environment.

Benefits, Compensation & Workforce Diversity

At FirstEnergy, employees are key to our success. We depend on their talents to meet the challenges of our changing business environment. We are committed to rewarding individual and team efforts through our total rewards philosophy which includes competitive pay plus incentive compensation, a company-sponsored pension plan, 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution, a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs, as well as skills development training with tuition reimbursement. Please visit our website at www.firstenergycorp.com to learn more about all of our employee rewards programs. FirstEnergy proudly supports workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. No recruiters or agencies without a previously signed contract. Unable to sponsor or transfer H-1B visas at this time.

Safety

Safety is a core value for FirstEnergy and is essential to all of our business activities. We ensure employees have the tools, information, and processes to perform their duties in a manner that assures safety for themselves, their co-workers, our customers and the public. Our goals are to provide a safe work environment, to maintain an accident-free, injury-free workplace, and to promote and maintain public safety. To meet these goals, we dedicate ourselves to achieving world-class safety standards.

Position Classification

Exempt

FirstEnergy Human Resources Team