Director, Communications and Member Experience

Director, Communications & Member Experience

Are you a strategic communicator who thrives on building relationships, inspiring teams, and creating meaningful experience for our members and communities. Great Lakes Energy is seeking an experienced and innovative Director, Communications & Member Experience to lead the development and execution of communication strategies, member engagement initiatives, and community outreach efforts that strengthen our brand, enhance member satisfaction, and support organizational growth.

Who We Are

For over 85 years, Great Lakes Energy has powered rural communities across 26 counties in western and northern Michigan. As the third-largest Michigan-based electric utility and the state's largest member-owned power company, we serve over 128,000 meters with pride. Beyond delivering reliable electricity, we are leaders in advanced fiber technology through Truestream, our communication solutions subsidiary.

At Great Lakes Energy, we prioritize enriching the lives of our community members and employees. With over 300 team members, we're more than just colleagues-we're a close-knit family, united by a shared vision of growth, innovation, and community service.

A Day in the Life of a Director, Communications & Member Experience

As the Director, Communications & Member Experience, you'll serve as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, helping shape organizational strategies and priorities while leading initiatives that connect members, employees, communities, and stakeholders to Great Lakes Energy's mission and values.

Your day may begin reviewing communication plans, member engagement metrics, or department performance goals. You'll collaborate with leaders across the organization to ensure consistent messaging, support strategic initiatives, and identify opportunities to enhance the member experience.

Throughout the day, you may oversee internal and external communications, guide public relations efforts, advise leadership on communication strategies, and manage content across digital, social media, website, video, and print channels. You'll also work closely with team members responsible for energy programs, member outreach, and community engagement initiatives.

You may find yourself meeting with community leaders, business partners, elected officials, schools, and industry organizations to strengthen relationships and represent the Cooperative at public events and industry functions. In addition, you'll analyze member feedback and engagement data to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and innovation.

No two days are exactly alike, but every day offers the opportunity to make a positive impact on our members, employees, and communities.

Who You Are

You're a collaborative and strategic leader who understands the power of effective communication and exceptional member experiences. You excel at connecting organizational objectives with meaningful engagement strategies and can successfully balance long-term planning with day-to-day execution.

You are comfortable leading teams, managing complex projects, and building relationships with diverse stakeholders. Whether developing communication strategies, responding to emerging issues, leading community initiatives, or mentoring employees, you bring professionalism, creativity, and sound judgment to every situation.

You value continuous improvement and are always looking for new ways to strengthen communication effectiveness, member satisfaction, and organizational performance.

What You Bring

Experience and Education: A bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Business, or a related field, with at least 10 years of relevant professional experience. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. Previous leadership experience, including at least two years of supervising and developing employees, is required.

Professional Knowledge: Experience developing and executing strategic communications, public relations, and member engagement initiatives. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including business writing, editing, proofreading, and public speaking. Proficiency with website administration, social media platforms, content management systems, and digital communication tools. Experience with photography, videography, publication design, and presentation software. Familiarity with electric cooperative operations, principles, and member-focused business practices is preferred.

Leadership Skills: Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop employees while building strong relationships across the organization and throughout the communities we serve. Strategic thinking, sound business judgment, and effective decision-making skills are essential, along with the ability to influence others, navigate change, and align communication efforts with organizational goals.

 

What's in It for You?

You are valuable to us, and our benefits are here to show it. That's why we put employees first-your health, your family, and your development. We have a number of benefits, both traditional and progressive, to support you and your family through life's various stages. Here's just a taste of what we have to offer:

 

• The Essentials - We cover the cost of comprehensive health insurance. You'll be hard-pressed to find better for you and your family...seriously!
• Time to Spend- Generous paid time off (PTO) puts you in the driver's seat, letting you decide how to make the most of your time away from work.
• Better Health Through Better Living- Healthy employees are happy employees. Our diverse wellness program supports your physical, financial, and mental well-being.
• When Life Hands You Lemons - We know life doesn't always go as planned. That's why we offer life insurance, as well as short- and long-term disability insurance-fully paid by GLE to provide peace of mind when the unexpected happens.
• More Time with Your Baby-New parents get time off to bond with their new bundle of joy. Parental leave benefits provide two weeks of family-friendly paid leave for moms and dads to bond and care for their growing families. Growing your family through adoption? You're awesome! We may be able to help you with related expenses up to $2,000.
• Never Stop Learning - We hire talented people for a reason, and we want you to stick around. That's why we invest in your training and development. Whether it's advancing your education, learning new skills, or job shadowing another role, we're here to support your career growth.
• Riding Off Into the Sunset- Your future is important to us, and we've got the numbers to back it up. We offer two retirement savings plans for eligible employees-a traditional pension and a 401(k) option. Our participation rates are through the roof!