Primary Role

The External Affairs Specialist plays a vital role in advancing American Water’s mission by serving as an engaged representative of the company. This position is responsible for supporting strategic communications, community impact initiatives and social media management. The Specialist will work closely with the Corporate Communications team, the American Water Charitable Foundation team and American Water state teams to maintain consistent messaging, responsive communication, and community impact.

Key Accountabilities

• Strategic Communications

Supports the strategic communications needs of the Corporate Communication and American Water Charitable Foundation teams. Provides communications counsel and helps ensure the effective implementation of external affairs and related communications activities. Supports in the proactive development of communication materials/tactics.

• Social Media Strategy

Collaborates with Corporate and External Affairs teams nationwide to support initiatives that educate key audiences and improve the company’s reputation. Manages American Water’s social media presence, develops content strategies, content and assets, as well as monitors engagement, and responds to customer inquiries. Also coordinates campaigns with digital vendors to maximize engagement across platforms. Additionally, monitors external trends affecting the company's reputation or operations, highlights opportunities and risks, and offers insights to guide communications and stakeholder engagement on social channels.

• Integrated Communications Planning
  Collaborates with cross-functional teams to help ensure consistent messaging across all platforms. Contributes to the development of strategic communications plans, including key awareness campaigns and brand-building initiatives. Helps ensure alignment and integration of messaging across state and corporate levels.
• Community Impact
• This role is responsible for supporting the employee volunteer and matching gift program by coordinating activities, addressing employee inquiries, and helping to ensure efficient execution of the volunteer and donation match processes. Additional support for grants may be requested.

Knowledge/Skills

• Demonstrates a strong understanding of strategic communications.
• Proficient in design (InDesign, Photoshop, Canva, etc.)
• Proficient in managing social media platforms, including content creation, audience engagement, and customer/constituent inquiries.
• Skilled in developing clear, consistent messaging across multiple channels, including digital, print, and in-person communications.
• Possesses strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to different audiences including customers, community leaders, and internal stakeholders.
• Collaborative and team-oriented, with experience working across departments, partners and vendors to help ensure alignment and integration of communications efforts.
• Understands the dynamics of customer service operations and can effectively route inquiries to appropriate internal teams for resolution.
• Capable of supporting media relations activities, including drafting press materials and coordinating responses during critical incidents.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and produce high-quality communications materials under pressure.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and comfortable working with databases and digital tools to support outreach and reporting.
• Understands the importance of compliance with disclosure requirements for publicly traded companies and can distinguish between material and non-material information.

Experience/Education

• Three to five years of experience in communications, public relations, marketing and community relations in a fast-paced corporate, government and/or agency environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations, English, advertising or related field preferred, or demonstrated experience commensurate with the requirements of the position.

Travel Requirements

• 10% within in the United States

Work Environment

• Location in American Water’s corporate headquarters in Camden, NJ
• Hybrid work schedule: 3 days in the office, 2 days offsite

Short Description

• Active Valid drivers’ license required with the ability to pass a motor vehcile report.