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Job Description
As posted by the hiring company
Job Overview:
Strategic Engagement and Communications Manager
Cornerstone is an expert at converting energy into industrial chemicals on a large scale. We do it safely and efficiently to minimize our environmental footprint. We are a key part of our employees’ lives and valued by our community striving to treat these critical stakeholders with the utmost trust and respect while generating economic value in return for individual investment and community support. We recognize it is our customers who enable our existence, and we relentlessly pursue innovation to exceed their expectations in terms of quality, service, support and delivery, nurtured by a culture that fosters commitment excellence and the unwavering passion of our employees. We will grow our business, leveraging the knowledge and capabilities of our employees to create value for customers, employees, shareholders and the community.
Job Description
The Manager, Strategic Engagement and Communications develops and executes stakeholder engagement, public affairs, community relations, external communications, internal communications, and employee engagement strategies that support Cornerstone Energy Park's growth, reputation, and major business priorities. This highly visible role works closely with company leaders, project teams, tenants, public-sector partners, community organizations, and employees to translate complex business and industrial developments into clear, credible, and timely communications.
The successful candidate will bring demonstrated experience supporting industrial, manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, or economic development projects in Louisiana; the ability to build productive relationships with government agencies and community partners; and strong experience translating complex business matters into clear, credible communications for external and internal audiences.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Project and Stakeholder Engagement
- Partner with the Director of Business Development and Marketing and cross-functional leaders to develop stakeholder engagement strategies for industrial expansions, tenant projects, capital investments, permitting initiatives, business transactions, and other significant company priorities.
- Maintain awareness of pipeline opportunities and support industrial projects across key phases, including project positioning, public-sector coordination, community outreach, public meetings, project announcements, construction, start-up, and other major milestones.
- Conduct stakeholder listening sessions and focus groups at appropriate project stages and use the findings to shape project-specific communication and engagement strategies.
- Identify stakeholder interests, potential concerns, reputational considerations, and engagement opportunities; recommend practical communication and outreach actions to the project team.
- Coordinate with Business Development, Legal, HSSE, Operations, Human Resources, project teams, and site tenants to maintain aligned messaging and stakeholder activity.
- Develop and continuously update stakeholder maps and engagement plans; prepare briefing materials, presentations, talking points, FAQs, and progress updates for leadership and project teams.
Government, Economic Development, and Community Relations
- Help build and sustain relationships with parish, state, and federal officials; government agencies; economic development organizations; chambers; educational institutions; civic organizations; nonprofits; industry associations; and community leaders.
- Coordinate meetings and site visits with public officials and community stakeholders, including executive preparation, briefing materials, logistics, follow-up, and relationship tracking.
- Monitor Louisiana legislative, regulatory, public-policy, and community developments that may affect the company, Energy Park tenants, or planned industrial projects; summarize potential implications for leadership.
- Support company participation in industry coalitions and economic development initiatives and help coordinate engagement with Louisiana Economic Development, parish governments, regional organizations, and other relevant partners.
- Administer community investment, sponsorship, charitable contribution, volunteer, and education-partnership activities in alignment with company priorities and approval requirements.
- Represent Cornerstone at selected government, industry, civic, and community meetings in coordination with the Director and other designated leaders.
- Develop and maintain a three-year community and stakeholder engagement plan that communicates the economic, operational, workforce, and community benefits of Cornerstone Energy Park.
- Develop and administer the annual strategic engagement and communications budget, monitor spending, and operate within approved plans and authorization requirements.
External Communications, Public Affairs, and Reputation
- Develop external communication plans and content that support company strategy, industrial projects, business development, community relations, and the distinct but connected identities of Cornerstone Chemical Company and Cornerstone Energy Park.
- Draft and coordinate press releases, media statements, speeches, presentations, web and social content, collateral materials, project announcements, key messages, and Q&A documents.
- Coordinate media support activities, including managing inquiries, preparing designated spokespersons, maintaining media contacts, monitoring coverage, and working with leadership and advisors on appropriate responses.
- Partner with HSSE, Legal, Operations, Human Resources, tenants, and leadership to maintain and exercise crisis and emergency communication plans, templates, contact protocols, and stakeholder notification processes.
- Support communications related to operational incidents, severe weather, environmental matters, workforce developments, organizational change, and other sensitive or high-visibility issues.
- Monitor traditional and social media for emerging issues and reputational risks and elevate concerns promptly.
Internal Communications and Employee Engagement
- Partner with Human Resources and company leaders to execute internal communications and employee engagement strategies aligned with business priorities, company culture, and workforce needs.
- Develop organizational announcements, leadership messages, town hall content, manager toolkits, FAQs, presentations, newsletters, recognition communications, and other employee-facing materials.
- Translate complex business, operational, project, and organizational developments into clear and credible communications for office, field, shift-based, and union-represented employees.
- Support communications for major projects, transactions, organizational changes, policy initiatives, and other developments affecting employees.
- Maintain effective two-way communication channels and gather employee feedback through surveys, focus groups, meetings, participation measures, and other listening methods.
- Coordinate internal events and engagement initiatives in partnership with Human Resources and other departments.
Marketing and Business Development Support
- Work with the Director of Business Development and Marketing to strengthen the market positioning and visibility of Cornerstone Energy Park.
- Develop presentations, fact sheets, proposals, website content, tenant and prospect materials, event materials, and other collateral that communicate the Energy Park's infrastructure, services, logistics, workforce, and strategic advantages.
- Support prospective tenant visits, public-sector engagement, confidentiality protocols, project announcements, groundbreaking events, and community introduction strategies.
- Build trusted relationships with existing tenants and coordinate messaging and selected initiatives to reinforce a consistent Energy Park narrative and strong shared reputation.
- Support relevant conferences, trade associations, industry events, sponsorships, and digital communication channels.
Planning, Coordination, and Measurement
- Maintain integrated communication and stakeholder engagement calendars, project plans, contact records, approval workflows, and supporting documentation.
- Coordinate the work of outside communications, public affairs, marketing, event, or creative partners when assigned.
- Track practical measures of effectiveness, including stakeholder activity, project support, employee reach and participation, media coverage, digital engagement, community impact, and completion of priority initiatives.
- Exercise sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential projects, transactions, personnel matters, government interactions, and emerging reputational issues.
- Perform other related responsibilities and support special projects as business needs evolve.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, public administration, political science, business, marketing, journalism, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and directly relevant experience.
- Seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in government relations, public affairs, community relations, corporate communications, economic development, marketing communications, or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated experience supporting industrial, manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, or economic development projects in Louisiana.
- Working knowledge of Louisiana governmental, legislative, regulatory, economic development, and community stakeholder environments.
- Experience developing stakeholder engagement plans and building productive relationships with public officials, government agencies, economic development organizations, community partners, industry groups, and internal leaders.
- Strong experience in public relations, executive communications, media support, crisis communications, and the development of clear written materials for varied audiences.
- Experience supporting internal communications and employee engagement initiatives within a complex organization.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple visible initiatives, coordinate across functions, meet deadlines, and work effectively when information is sensitive or rapidly changing.
- Exceptional writing, presentation, interpersonal, and facilitation skills, with a portfolio of relevant work products or project examples.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, digital communication channels, content management tools, and common communications and project-tracking platforms; portfolio or relevant work examples preferred during the interview process.
Preferred
- Experience in chemical manufacturing, energy, utilities, industrial infrastructure, logistics, or another regulated operating environment.
- Established professional relationships within Louisiana government, economic development, industry, and community networks.
- Experience communicating with hourly, shift-based, and union-represented workforces.
- Familiarity with Louisiana industrial development, incentive, and public approval processes, including experience supporting major capital projects, site expansions, tenant development, transactions, or other complex business transitions.
- Experience coordinating outside agencies, consultants, associations, sponsorships, events, or related budgets.
Cornerstone Chemical Company is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.
