Communications Specialist

Job Purpose/Summary 

The Communications Specialist is an experienced communications professional who helps shape and execute Plains’ communications strategy across external, digital and internal channels. As part of a small but high-performing team, the role offers breadth, visibility and ownership, with opportunities to contribute across nearly every aspect of the communications function.

This role serves as a trusted communications partner, helping advance business objectives, strengthen stakeholder relationships and protect the company’s reputation. The successful candidate is equally comfortable supporting crisis response, managing digital channels, identifying new opportunities to elevate Plains’ profile, developing executive messaging and advising internal partners. 

The role is best suited to someone who enjoys operating as a communications generalist with an external focus, and is energized by the opportunity to work across a wide variety of business issues. The ideal candidate is a highly collaborative self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced environment, exercises sound judgment, navigates ambiguity with confidence and takes initiative to solve problems before they arise. 

Job Responsibilities  

While this role touches many areas, priority focus includes: 

• External Communications 

• Lead crisis communications preparedness for incidents and crisis situations, including planning, training, message development and exercises. 

• Support communications response during incidents and reputation-sensitive situations, coordinating closely across the organization to ensure timely, accurate and effective communications. 

• Manage media inquiries and support strategic engagement with journalists, industry groups and other external stakeholders. 

• Partner across the organization to develop and/or align messaging and communications strategies for stakeholder, regulatory and public-facing activities. 

• Identify opportunities to strengthen Plains’ reputation through thought leadership, industry advocacy, stakeholder engagement and proactive communications initiatives.  

• Digital & Brand Communications 

• Maintain accurate, engaging and strategically aligned website content that supports business priorities. 

• Manage Plains’ social media presence, developing content and monitoring analytics to enhance engagement and support corporate objectives. 

• Uphold and refine Plains’ brand standards, ensuring consistency across communications materials and digital channels. 

• Partner with internal and external creative resources to develop visual, multimedia and digital content aligned with Plains’ brand and messaging priorities. 

• Evaluate emerging technologies, AI tools and digital trends to improve efficiency, strengthen stakeholder engagement and enhance communications effectiveness. 

• Internal Communications 

• Collaborate with the internal communications lead to support company-wide communications initiatives including town halls, executive messages, newsletters, intranet content and employee engagement campaigns, as business needs and team priorities require. 

• Develop communications materials that help leaders effectively cascade information throughout the organization. 

• Help define and promote communications best practices, templates, brand resources and other shared communications assets. 

What Success Looks Like 

• Anticipates communications needs and proactively develops solutions before issues arise. 

• Builds trusted relationships across the business and is sought out for communications counsel. 

• Delivers high-quality work quickly, accurately and with minimal oversight. 

• Demonstrates sound judgment in high-pressure and time-sensitive situations. 

• Identifies opportunities to strengthen Plains’ reputation and improve communications effectiveness. 

• Embraces new technologies and continuously seeks ways to improve how work is executed. 

Experience 

• 7-12 years of progressive experience in corporate communications, public affairs, public relations, journalism, agency communications or a related field. 

• Experience supporting crisis communications, media relations, issues management or reputation management activities.   

Knowledge & Skills 

Required  

• Experience supporting crisis communications, issues management and media relations activities. 

• Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail and the ability to translate complex topics into clear, compelling narratives. 

• Strong business judgment and ability to navigate sensitive situations with professionalism and discretion. 

• Experience managing digital communications channels, including websites and social media platforms. 

• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, work under pressure and deliver high-quality results quickly and accurately. 

• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to influence and collaborate across functions and organizational levels. 

Preferred 

• Experience in energy, utilities, transportation, industrial, infrastructure or other capital-intensive industries. 

• Experience supporting communications for a publicly traded company, including investor-facing, regulatory or corporate reputation initiatives. 

• Familiarity with incident command systems (ICS), emergency response communications or crisis preparedness programs. 

• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, video production tools or other creative platforms. 

• Knowledge of digital analytics tools and emerging AI applications in communications. 

Behaviors & Expectations 

Drives Results 

• Demonstrates strong ownership and accountability, proactively identifying opportunities, solving problems and improving outcomes. 

• Works quickly and independently while maintaining exceptionally high standards for quality and accuracy. 

Adapts 

• Remains composed, resourceful and solutions-oriented in dynamic environments. 

• Embraces change, innovation and new ways of working. 

• Learns quickly and adjusts priorities as business needs evolve. 

Serves 

• Approaches work with a collaborative, service-oriented mindset. 

• Builds strong relationships and earns trust through responsiveness, reliability and sound judgment. 

• Seeks feedback and continuously refines work to improve quality and impact. 

Demonstrates Integrity 

• Models professionalism, discretion and ethical conduct. 

• Exercises sound judgment when handling sensitive information and high-profile issues. 

• Acts with transparency, accountability and respect in all interactions.   

#Plains