Important Application Submission Information
In order to ensure your application is successfully received before the job posting expires, please submit your application by 11:59 PM on Tuesday, December 2, 2025Build an exciting, rewarding career with us – help us make a difference for millions of people every day. Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you'll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits.
This experienced individual leads national media relations, internal and external thought leadership, and public affairs strategies for key company initiatives that advance and promote Duke Energy’s position as the nation’s largest regulated grid operator and one of the nation’s largest energy providers. This position will place an emphasis on connecting enterprise-wide priorities with policies that support our customers, communities and business. Leveraging their familiarity with and expertise in national media relations and public affairs, the successful candidate must be experienced in providing strategic recommendations and guidance to senior executives, along with extensive national media relations experience. This individual will provide direct communications and public affairs counsel and support a wide range of internal stakeholders, including Corporate Affairs, Enterprise Strategy & Planning and other relevant business units.
Enhances the company’s reputation and builds understanding and advocacy for the company’s top enterprise priorities through effective strategy-setting for national media and enterprise thought leadership. In partnership with internal partners, this individual will serve as chief strategist for how and when the company leverages senior leaders and third-party voices to position Duke Energy as an industry leader and drive successful outcomes for those top priorities.
Leads the company’s national media engagement strategy, including managing cross functional media relationships, as well as integrating national media into core business priorities.
Develops enterprise thought leadership strategy to support enterprise and business unit-specific priorities. This strategy includes impactfully deploying Duke Energy voices, in addition to external partners, to advance those priorities.
People leader at the company, in addition to managing relevant external consultants and partners.
Leverages the tools of advocacy, engagement, and communications, including media relations and public affairs
Works effectively with internal and external stakeholders to enhance the company’s reputation
Positions Duke Energy and its senior leadership as industry leaders, and further enterprise priorities which serve our customers, communities and business.
Identifies and generates media opportunities for specific company initiatives through pitching story ideas, conducting media interviews and participating in external events.
Based upon knowledge of the business and national landscape, supports the development of executive positioning strategies and actions in concert with relevant internal partners, identifying unique opportunities to further distinguish our corporate brand with key stakeholders and decisionmakers.
Develops relationships with key national media members and thought leaders.
Provides communication counsel to senior leaders on specific issues and develops prep materials.
Collaborates with peers at other organizations, companies and trade associations.
Works well independently and in a highly matrixed environment with minimal guidance.
Four-year college degree in communications, journalism, public relations, political science or related field.
In addition to a degree, ten (10) years of work-related experience.
In lieu of a degree, fourteen (14) years of work-related experience.
Highly motivated and strategic individual who can generate measurable results and work with minimal direction or supervision.
Excellent manager and people-leader who can lead diverse, cross-functional teams.
7 years+ related experience.
Experience in the energy sector, national media relations and/or public affairs. Prior corporate experience strongly preferred.
Direct experience working on thought leadership, executive positioning in the public domain, op-ed/opinion piece development, integrated public affairs campaigns.
Strong experience working with the media, including on-the-record and on-camera, developing news releases and media messages, developing and maintaining relationships with reporters and conducting interviews with the media or preparing subject matter experts for media interviews.
Demonstrated success in consensus building and problem solving.
Strong writer (knowledge of AP style preferred) and verbal communicator, including experience preparing executive speeches, presentations, talking points, briefing documents and other communication materials for key external and internal meetings. Writing samples may be requested.
Accreditation in Public Relations.
On Site – Work will be performed onsite, with preference given to Charlotte, NC or Raleigh, NC. Flexibility is given to work remotely on occasion, but this position will be expected to mirror the in-office schedule of the Corporate Communications leadership team.
#LI-VF1
#LI-Onsite
Travel Requirements
5-15%