Sr Administrator-Communications

Overview

As the SR Administrator - Communications, you will manage external communications functions, including social media, blog content, and customer newsletters, for assigned companies within the TDS portfolio of Cable companies.

 

Our ideal candidate will reside in the Greater Madison, WI area, but we are open to remote candidates.

 

You will work in concert with local teams and marketing groups to build and manage the reputation of the organization(s) with comprehensive and strategic communication initiatives. Communication efforts will be directed within the general cable/telecom industry, local communities and internally.

 

You will recognize and generate newsworthy opportunities for multiple media formats and develops and executes communications plans.  On public relations opportunities, you will advise / assist leadership (at TDS and affiliated companies), Market Managers, Government Affairs Managers, and Product Managers. You will also counsel and overall support the communications program. Lastly, you will be working with people from all areas of the business and industry knowledge is critical to the success of this highly skilled individual.

 

TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS Telecom/TDS) delivers high-speed internet, TV entertainment, and phone services to a mix of rural and suburban communities throughout the U.S. With 1.2 million connections, TDS is a rapidly growing technology company. Powered by fiber-optics and new industry-leading technologies, TDS delivers up to 8 Gigabit internet speeds and offers internet-protocol based TV entertainment solutions along with traditional phone services. TDS also offers businesses VoIP advanced communications solutions, dedicated internet service, data networking, and hosted-managed services. Visit tdstelecom.com. TDS Telecom, headquartered in Madison, Wis., employs 3,500 people and is a subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. [NYSE: TDS], a Fortune 1000 company. Founded in 1969, Telephone and Data Systems provides wireless, broadband, video and voice; and hosted and managed services to approximately 6 million connections nationwide through its businesses: UScellular, TDS Telecom, and OneNeck IT Solutions. Visit tdsinc.com.

 

The pay range listed for this position represents the low and high end of the base compensation range. However, the base pay rate offered for this position is expected to be $63,000 - $70,000. Also, certain positions are eligible for additional forms of compensation.

Responsibilities

• Creates communication strategies and tactics which meet measurable objectives and protect and build the reputation the companies assigned.  Provides guidance to team members, department managers, and executives when choosing how, when and what to communicate. This includes idea generation, brainstorming, writing, and timing. Creates positive news coverage for the company, products, and people to enhance Search Engine optimization.
• Writes and edits communications within both AP standards and in new creative formats.  Distributes news to local and national outlets. This includes writing content such as press releases, blog posts, social posts, customer newsletters, and direct internal communications on Intranet.  Full circle content management approach.
• Has a clear understanding of our primary press release distribution tool (a complete media database and distribution service). Efficiently uses content management tool to develop media lists based on topic, client, and geography; understands how to schedule distributions, add images, and create reports for team members and executive leadership. Specific responsibilities include:
• Writes and edits communications within both AP standards and in new creative formats.
• Responds to media inquiries from national, local, and trade media outlets in a timely manner.
• Develop media lists and maintains regular contact with reporters at targeted media outlets.
• Prepares and coordinates media interviews and analyst briefings. Identifies best spokesperson (e.g., leadership, senior management, content experts) and prepares them, as well as scheduling interviews with reporters/editors at targeted publications.
• Identifies priority media outlets and pitches company spokespeople for current topics; requires ongoing monitoring of the news to understand current topics and how TDS/affiliated companies can become part of the story.
• Assists in the creation of and helps conduct standard TDS media/crisis communications training classes for executives and managers.
• Manages the online media pages/sites at populating them with the latest news and crisis information for the media and public, including the outage blog.
• Manages the online newsroom and blogs at HelloTDS.com by populating them with the latest news and crisis information for the media and public.
• Social media management and content creation. This includes monitoring social media during crisis events as well as coordinating and creating posts, understanding how and when to share others posts; ability and willingness to learn about new social media properties; be proficient using today's most common outlets (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) and experience serving as a site administrator; adept with using enterprise social relationship management platforms such as HootSuite.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree (or higher) -OR- 4+ years professional work experience.
• 2+ years developing and leading key projects.
• 2+ years writing both journalistic style and corporate communication materials.
• 1+ years of experience developing press releases which garner media coverage in various sized markets.

Other Qualifications

• Excellent strategic planning skills and the ability to make decisions that balance the needs of the organization with the needs of an individual group.
• Ability to integrate diverse needs and priorities into cohesive plans and strategies.
• Expert understanding of public relations, media relations, corporate communications, employee communications and corporate philanthropy.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills, including technical writing for business publications and consumers.
• Analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Technical expertise and proficiency in PR Software programs, enterprise social relationship management platforms, and social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) including experience serving as a site administrator; WordPress; CRM; SharePoint.
• Negotiation, decision-making, and persuasion skills.
• Exceptional presentation skills.
• Corporate or Agency experience.
• Strong interest in technology. Experience in the cable industry a plus.

Do you meet all of the Required Qualifications, but aren't sure if your experience meets the Other Qualifications? We encourage you to apply! Research shows that some candidates may not apply for jobs unless they feel they meet 100% of the qualifications, when, in fact, they have the skills and experience to be successful in the role!  Experience and skills come in many different forms and may not always look identical to what we have on paper, but still lead to success in the role. If you meet the Required Qualifications and believe you have what it takes to be successful in the position, apply today! 

 

Benefits

Associates scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week have access to medical, dental, vision, life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and paid time off benefits such as vacation (15 days accrued per year for full-time; pro-rated for part-time associates working between 20-39 hours), sick leave (10 days accrued per year for full-time and pro-rated for all other associates), seven paid national holidays and one floating holiday, paid parental leave (2 weeks after 12 months of employment), among others. Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability coverage is also available for associates working 30 or more hours per week and Education Assistance is available to full-time associates. Associates scheduled to work under twenty hours per week or for a limited term (i.e. interns) are eligible for medical coverage, the 401(k) plan (if 18 or older), as well as sick leave (10 days accrued per year for full-time and pro-rated for all other associates).For more detail on the benefits we offer clickhere. 

 

At TDS, we embrace Equal Employment Opportunity by valuing our differences and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by law. To learn about our diversity & inclusion philosophy and culture,click here!

 

Pay Range (Hr./Yr.)$63,100.00/Yr. - $102,600.00/Yr.Employment Type: FULL_TIME