Senior Director, Media Relations

WHO WE ARE

The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) is the association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies. Our members provide electricity for more than 220 million Americans and operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. As a whole, the electric power industry supports more than 7 million jobs in communities across the United States.

EEI employees are required to work in office Monday-Thursday, and have the option to work remotely on Fridays.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SENIOR DIRECTOR, MEDIA RELATIONS:

The Senior Director, Media Relations, leads EEI’s day-to-day media engagement, helping to shape public understanding of the electric power industry and support EEI’s strategic priorities. This position is responsible for developing and executing proactive media outreach, responding to media inquiries, preparing EEI executives, and coordinating closely with EEI leadership and member companies to ensure timely, accurate, and consistent messaging.

The Senior Director manages high-profile communications around industry developments, energy policy, regulatory initiatives, and crisis and emergency response. This role requires strong writing and storytelling skills, judgment, deep experience working with reporters, and a clear understanding of how to position EEI and its members as thought leaders in a dynamic and evolving energy landscape.

Other important responsibilities of the Senior Director, Media Relations, include:

• Develop and Execute Media Strategies:
  • Create and implement proactive media outreach plans that align with EEI’s policy and communications goals. Identify media opportunities to showcase member company achievements, industry initiatives, and EEI leadership on key issues such as resource adequacy and energy security, grid reliability, innovation, and customer affordability.
• Serve as a Primary Media Contact:
  • Act as a main point of contact for national, trade, and local media. Respond to inquiries, build and maintain strong relationships with reporters and editors, and strategically pitch stories that support EEI’s reputation and influence.
• Support Executive and Policy Communications:
  • Collaborate with EEI leaders and senior staff, and subject matter experts to prepare media statements, press releases, talking points, op-eds, and briefing materials. Help prepare EEI leaders for interviews, speaking engagements, and press interactions.
• Manage Rapid Response and Crisis Communications:
  • Monitor news developments and manage EEI’s media response to urgent issues, policy changes, industry challenges, and extreme weather events. Provide counsel and coordination during storm restoration and crisis situations.
• Coordinate With Member Companies and Partners:
  • Liaise with media relations contacts at EEI member companies to ensure aligned messaging and amplify shared priorities. Support joint media opportunities and coordinate unified responses when necessary.
• Track Media Coverage and Trends:
  • Monitor news coverage and media sentiment around EEI, member companies, and energy-related issues. Track coverage metrics and report on performance of earned media strategies. Stay informed on evolving media landscape and industry trends.
  • Oversee the production and distribution of EEI’s Daily Energy News each weekday.

REQUIRED & PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A bachelor’s degree Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Political Science, or a related field is required. Graduate-level education or relevant certifications (e.g. crisis communications, media training) is preferred.
• At least 10 years of experience in media relations, journalism, public affairs, or strategic communications, or equivalent experience.
• Capacity to work flexible work hours which could include evenings, weekends and holidays as required
• Knowledge of the electric power industry is preferred.
• Experience in political communications, government affairs, or issue advocacy is a plus.
• Proven abili